Course syllabus

Welcome to History of Education: Research Problems and Perspectives!

With the great expansion of schools and universities in the 20th century, the profound role played by education in modern society can hardly be overlooked. This insight has generated a number of research traditions which, from various perspectives, engage with the societal importance of education. History of education is one of these dynamic traditions. Through various interdisciplinary connections and collaborations, with fields ranging from history of science and universities to media history, the history of education has investigated crucial questions concerning the production and transfer of knowledge over time. This course offers an advanced introduction to this research. Themes that will be explored include various forms and institutions as well as governance and funding of knowledge, the relationship between research, education and popular science, and the role played by time and emotions in various educational contexts.

The course starts with an introduction on Wednesday 4th November 2026 in the Rausing Room (6-3025) at the Department of History of Science and Ideas on the English Park campus.

Apart from the introduction, the course consists of seven seminars with different thematic focus and one examination session (week 2). The language of instruction is English. Students will be examined through short written assignments following each thematic seminar, active participation in these seminars, and a final oral presentation at a poster session. Absence from seminars will have to be compensated via additional assignments.

The course syllabus, including learning outcomes, is available via this link: https://www.uu.se/en/study/course?query=5LH819 The reading list for the entire course will be available here no later than five weeks before the start of the course.

Hampus Östh Gustafsson (hampus.osthgustafsson@idehist.uu.se) serves as course coordinator. He will be teaching the course together with Hanna Hodacs, Jenny Beckman, and Thomas Karlsohn. Please don't hesitate to contact the course coordinator for general questions about the course. For questions regarding registration or administrative matters, please contact Anna-Lotta Jadinge (annalotta.jadinge@idehist.uu.se).

Once again, warmly welcome to the History of Education course! We are looking forward to meeting you at the Introduction.

Hampus, Hanna, Jenny & Thomas