Kopplingen mellan historia och samtid blir extra stark under svåra tider

This paper has the purpose to investigate the relationship between historical consciousness and use of history. In this context the historical consciousness is the way a person can orient themselves through different times. Thus, the paper investigates how temporal orientation can be expressed by upper secondary students. This is achieved by analysing student texts which deal with use of history after the attacks on the twin towers of 9/11. Earlier research suggests that use of history can activate the historical consciousness in the form of temporal orientation. It also suggests that students have difficulties orientating themselves through time especially concerning expressions that connects the different time dimensions. Through the theoretical perspectives of historical consciousness as temporal orientation this paper aims to find out how the use of history can engage students’ historical consciousness and how this historical consciousness expresses itself. This paper concludes that the relationship between the use of history and historical consciousness is that the temporal orientation is activated through symbolism, the need of history at certain times, interlocutors of the use of history as well as narrative capability