Study On The American Image In High School Histoty Textbook

Since the end of the 20th century, a lot of nations have successively carried out another reform in fundamental education curriculum, including China who began the reform at the beginning of the 21st century and has resulted in remarkable achievements in the past decades. The textbooks, as the teaching material that are compiled in line with the curriculum or syllabus standard to reflect the content of the subject, are the major guidance and key resources for teaching and learning activities. Therefore, textbook reform is an important part of the reform in fundamental education curriculum. The research on textbooks enables us to catch up with the development of textbooks and provide theoretical reference for the improvement of textbook compiling. In this way, the concepts and goals of curriculum can be better implemented and the reform in fundamental education curriculum can be deepened.The history textbooks, as the basic resource that are most frequently used in teaching and learning activities, stipulate the content of the history course which are both scientific and ideological. The united states, as the only super power in the current world with its leading position in terms of economy, politics and military forces, is also influential with respect to culture and ideology. The content concerning American history is indispensable in the history textbook of senior high school. The American image presented in these textbooks reflects, to a large extent, the policy and attitude of the Chinese government towards America and influences the majority of Chinese people's impression and viewpoint of America. As far as this two aspects are concerned, the study on the image of America in the history textbook of senior high school is a very rewarding project.Based on related theories on history, pedagogy, psychology, sociology and some other subjects, connected with current situation of history course reform in senior high schools of our country's elementary education, and taking history textbooks for senior high school published by PEP in 2007 as the research object, this paper is aimed to understand and decipher American history and American image more scientifically, fully and objectively through the research on American image in senior high school history textbooks, as well as to put forward some constructive suggestions to future compilation of high school history textbooks. Thus this paper begins research on American image in senior high school textbooks in four parts:The first part illustrates the cause of the research. The value of this study is proved and the purpose and meaning of the study is explained in the aspect of the cause of the study. Besides, this part elaborates some conceptual problems and makes a introduction of the recent status of oversea and domestic research. Also, research methods and the innovation of this paper is introduced in this part.The second part focuses on the study of the current situation of American history compilation in senior high school textbooks and the content of American history, taking history textbooks for senior high school published by PEP in 2007 as examples. Curriculum criterion, the compilation profile of text system and text accessory system and content distribution of compulsory courses and optional courses are explained carefully in this part.The third part deciphers American image in history textbooks, including research on periodical image throughout American domestic history, American history figures' image analysis, American image localization in historical relationship between China and the United States, American image construction in the international community, and so on. By this, this paper tries to draw the outline of American image in history textbooks generally and conclude its image features.The fourth part is the scientific orientation and rational thinking based on American image in history textbooks. Some suggestions for improvements and modification are put forward and American image in history textbooks is enriched and developed. As a consequence, advisory opinions are provided for editors of senior high school history textbooks.