From “Carrier” to “Creator”

The re-construction of national identity in more inclusive terms

Bibliographic Data

ID21633100
AuthorsEtan Cohen (0000-0002-3812-8689, University of Haifa, corresponding author), Yotam Hod (0000-0001-7353-4052, University of Haifa), Dani Ben‐Zvi (0000-0002-9946-3456, University of Haifa)
Year2023
Volume32
Issue3
Pages427-454
Publication date2023-05-27
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of the Learning Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1050-8406 • E-ISSN: 1532-7809
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10508406.2023.2185147
OpenAlexW4367856582
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited37

Background The sociocultural turn redefined learning in terms of shifting identities. In recent years, learning scientists have explored the connections between learning and various types of identities, including disciplinary identity, gender, race, and more. In this article we focus on national identity, to understand how it is constructed and how it might be made more inclusive through learning.Methods Drawing on sociolinguistics and discourse analysis methods, we present a telling case study aimed at elucidating previously obscure theoretical relations by providing a rich and detailed account of a single student whose national identity shifted over the course of a school year.Findings Our analysis shows how Joshua, a 9th grade secular Jewish-Israeli student, constructed his national identity. Joshua’s identity developed across three stages, which were marked by a shift from an essentialist disposition to a constructionist one and by an increasing sense of belonging.Contribution We highlight a connection between learners’ views on the continuum between essentialism and constructionism and their degree of belongingness. Our findings suggest that a constructionist approach to identity can translate into a greater sense of belonging and help ameliorate some cases of social marginalization

Aesthetics · Constructionism · Epistemology · Essentialism · Identity formation · Self-concept · Social constructionism · Social science · Sociocultural evolution · Sociology · Strict constructionism · Anthropology · Educator Training and Historical Pedagogy · Gender Studies · Multilingual Education and Policy · Psychology · Second Language Learning and Teaching · Social Psychology

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