School Knowledge for the Masses: World Models and National Primary Curricular Categories in the Twentieth Century

Specifically, the study shows that the contemporary primary curriculum dates from changes in the late nineteenth century; that there has been a general shift towards a ‘social studies’ subject; that instruction in mathematics and sciences has tended to expand; that there have been substantial increases in foreign language instruction (and changes in the languages taught); and that instruction in the arts and physical education come to the standard world education model much later than other subjects.

This work will be of particular interest to those studying primary curriculum, international education and the sociology of education.