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Myth, Identity, and Conflict : A Comparative Analysis of Romanian and Serbian Textbooks

Dutceac Segesten, Anamaria LU orcid (2011)
Abstract
Abstract in Undetermined
Myth, Identity, and Conflict: A Comparative Analysis of Romanian and Serbian Textbooks, by Anamaria Dutceac Segesten, is an examination of how history and politics became entangled in Romania and Serbia. In it, Segesten asks questions like: Is myth present in the history textbooks of Romania and Serbia? If so, are there differences in the ways these myths define the in-group and the relationship with the Other between a country that experienced interethnic conflict (Serbia) and a country that did not (Romania)? Do textbooks affect the odds that conflict will occur?

Segesten's findings confirm the presence of mythologized versions of the past in the history textbooks of both countries over the entire... (More)
Abstract in Undetermined
Myth, Identity, and Conflict: A Comparative Analysis of Romanian and Serbian Textbooks, by Anamaria Dutceac Segesten, is an examination of how history and politics became entangled in Romania and Serbia. In it, Segesten asks questions like: Is myth present in the history textbooks of Romania and Serbia? If so, are there differences in the ways these myths define the in-group and the relationship with the Other between a country that experienced interethnic conflict (Serbia) and a country that did not (Romania)? Do textbooks affect the odds that conflict will occur?

Segesten's findings confirm the presence of mythologized versions of the past in the history textbooks of both countries over the entire fifteen-year period studied (1992–2007), despite claims for professionalization of textbook-making. Myths of noble origins, of heroism and victimhood, appear in both cases. Segesten finds the language to be ideological and in favor of the ethnic majority, even if over time there is a slow tendency towards moderation (especially in Romania), probably due to the influence of the European Union. Ultimately, Myth, Identity, and Conflict, by Anamaria Dutceac Segesten, questions the alleged power of history textbooks to make a difference in ethnically divided societies prone to conflicts. (Less)
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author
organization
publishing date
type
Book/Report
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Balkans, History textbooks, Ethnic conflict, political myths, Romania, Serbia, collective identity
categories
Higher Education
Popular Science
pages
314 pages
publisher
Lexington Books
ISBN
978-0739148655
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
d539e7de-899b-4998-a9ea-0fe77a3b8055 (old id 2296414)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 12:10:26
date last changed
2021-03-23 22:13:07
@book{d539e7de-899b-4998-a9ea-0fe77a3b8055,
  abstract     = {{Abstract in Undetermined<br/>Myth, Identity, and Conflict: A Comparative Analysis of Romanian and Serbian Textbooks, by Anamaria Dutceac Segesten, is an examination of how history and politics became entangled in Romania and Serbia. In it, Segesten asks questions like: Is myth present in the history textbooks of Romania and Serbia? If so, are there differences in the ways these myths define the in-group and the relationship with the Other between a country that experienced interethnic conflict (Serbia) and a country that did not (Romania)? Do textbooks affect the odds that conflict will occur?<br/><br/>Segesten's findings confirm the presence of mythologized versions of the past in the history textbooks of both countries over the entire fifteen-year period studied (1992–2007), despite claims for professionalization of textbook-making. Myths of noble origins, of heroism and victimhood, appear in both cases. Segesten finds the language to be ideological and in favor of the ethnic majority, even if over time there is a slow tendency towards moderation (especially in Romania), probably due to the influence of the European Union. Ultimately, Myth, Identity, and Conflict, by Anamaria Dutceac Segesten, questions the alleged power of history textbooks to make a difference in ethnically divided societies prone to conflicts.}},
  author       = {{Dutceac Segesten, Anamaria}},
  isbn         = {{978-0739148655}},
  keywords     = {{Balkans; History textbooks; Ethnic conflict; political myths; Romania; Serbia; collective identity}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Lexington Books}},
  title        = {{Myth, Identity, and Conflict : A Comparative Analysis of Romanian and Serbian Textbooks}},
  year         = {{2011}},
}