Migration and Representation of Migration in Turkish High School History Textbooks

Migration and Representation of Migration in Turkish High School History Textbooks

İsmail Hakkı DEMİRCİOĞLU

ÖZET
Throughout Turkey's geography, migration has been an immutable reality and an essential part of its presence. Anatolia, the geography of civilizations shaped by migration, has not only been the destination of migration but also the path of migration. It has contributed along with the push and pull factors for migration movements at different times. The concepts of migration have become more prominent in academic literature, especially after the Syrian Civil War outbreak in March 2011. The prerequisite for living in peace with millions of refugees, who were supposed to be guests at first, but now seems permanent in our country, is to eliminate xenophobia. Xenophobia can only be combated with an essential humanistic attitude, which politics must support. Education is the most important means of achieving this humanistic attitude, and teaching history is one of the most appropriate subjects for eliminating xenophobia in education, which can help build a culture of coexistence. Therefore, the historicity of migration that is equated equating the historicity of migration with the history of humanity and representing migration with an emphasis on the humanistic side of it in history textbooks could be constructive ways to combat xenophobia and promote a healthy community life through education. The aim of this study is to analyze the level of representation of migration and relevant concepts in 2018 and 2019 compulsory high school history textbooks published by the MEB (The Ministry of National Education). Based on this study's findings, it is recommended to improve the quality and quantity of the representation of migration and relevant concepts in the history textbooks for the youth to develop a sense of empathy with migrants on the threshold of adulthood.

ABSTRACT
Throughout Turkey's geography, migration has been an immutable reality and an essential part of its presence. Anatolia, the geography of civilizations shaped by migration, has not only been the destination of migration but also the path of migration. It has contributed along with the push and pull factors for migration movements at different times. The concepts of migration have become more prominent in academic literature, especially after the Syrian Civil War outbreak in March 2011. The prerequisite for living in peace with millions of refugees, who were supposed to be guests at first, but now seems permanent in our country, is to eliminate xenophobia. Xenophobia can only be combated with an essential humanistic attitude, which politics must support. Education is the most important means of achieving this humanistic attitude, and teaching history is one of the most appropriate subjects for eliminating xenophobia in education, which can help build a culture of coexistence. Therefore, the historicity of migration that is equated equating the historicity of migration with the history of humanity and representing migration with an emphasis on the humanistic side of it in history textbooks could be constructive ways to combat xenophobia and promote a healthy community life through education. The aim of this study is to analyze the level of representation of migration and relevant concepts in 2018 and 2019 compulsory high school history textbooks published by the MEB (The Ministry of National Education). Based on this study's findings, it is recommended to improve the quality and quantity of the representation of migration and relevant concepts in the history textbooks for the youth to develop a sense of empathy with migrants on the threshold of adulthood.

ANAHTAR KELİMELER: Migration, Refugee, History, Education, Migration in Turkish High School History Textbooks

KEYWORDS: Migration, Refugee, History, Education, Migration in Turkish High School History Textbooks

DOI : [PDF]