Unraveling the Threads of Difficult History in the Classroom: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This systematic literature review aims to comprehensively examine and synthesize existing research on teaching difficult history in the classroom. Difficult history includes emotionally charged, controversial, or challenging topics for educators and students. Twenty-three publications from the Scopus database from 2014-2023 were selected for review using PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Then, four research questions were used to guide the review and analysis centered on difficult history content, pedagogical approaches, teachers’ challenges to offering a comprehensive understanding of difficult history learning in schools, and the impact of difficult history on students. Reviews reveal that scholars are increasingly interested in studying difficult historical topics and highlighting dark events in various regions worldwide. Teaching difficult history requires multiple pedagogical approaches, including affective learning, experiential learning, and inquiry-based learning. Teaching difficult history contributes to empathy, critical thinking skills, and historical consciousness to encourage students to connect past events to present-day issues.