History teaching in South Africa within the context of the human and social sciences : an outcomes-based approach with reference to anti-racism

Abstract

This study begins by analysing and exploring problems associated with (a) history teaching as part of the Human and Social Sciences learning area, (b) history teaching within an Outcomes-based approach, and (c) history teaching and racism. In an effort to provide solutions to these problems the study proceeds to propose a framework for teaching history within the Human and Social Sciences learning area, to suggest a viable Outcomes-based approach to teaching history in the context of this learning area, and an attempt is also made to provide criteria for an anti-racist approach to history teaching. Further, teaching and learning strategies of how far learners can exhibit antiracist perspectives and attitudes have been developed. Overall, the study found that an interdisciplinary approach - intended to preserve history's identity within the Human and Social Sciences learning area- is worthwhile and essential, given the rich potential of the discipline to enrich and even gain from the unique insights that other disciplines within the learning area can provide. It is evident that history, either by itself or in association with other disciplines, lends itself well to Outcomes-based Education; and that while it is important and necessary to differentiate between learning outcomes on the one hand, and aims and objectives on the other, the former and the latter two demonstrate some significant overlaps. Given the crucial importance of improving race and a range of other relations in South Africa, the findings of the study seem to prove to be a feasible and indeed critically important way in which history teaching could deal with racial and other forms of viprejudice, injustice and discrimination. This seems to be the case because the findings reveal that learners registered progress in various aspects of anti-racist history teaching. Given the gains by learners, therefore, an Outcomes-based history teaching within the Human and Social Sciences learning area would seem to be an essential approach to learning programme development in the South African system of education and training.