Resource Exploitation and Consumption in the Frame of Education for Sustainable Development in German Geography Textbooks

Authors

  • Matthias KOWASCH University of Graz, Graz, AUSTRIA

Keywords:

Geography Textbooks; Education For Sustainable Development (ESD); Resource Exploitation And Consumption; Action Competence; Resource Curse; Actor Analysis

Abstract

This paper discusses the representation of resource exploitation and consumption in German geography textbooks. The aim of the paper is to contribute to a critical and reflective understanding of the representation of resource-related issues in textbooks by analyzing two scientific debates (resource curse and actor analysis). The paper shows that all studied geography textbooks contribute to a certain degree to awareness raising in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), but references to the everyday life of students are rare. There are only few action-orientated tasks in the frame of resource exploitation and consumption in the studied textbooks. As real-world examples help develop students’ critical thinking skills and shape their ideas of sustainable development, these aspects reflect a pedagogical shortcoming.

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Published

2017-05-04