Cross-curricular Teaching and Learning in the Secondary School Humanities: History, Geography, Religious Studies and Citizenship

What is the role of the humanities in the modern school? Should geography, history, RE and Citizenship teachers remain faithful to long-standing subject cultures and pedagogies? Or is there another way to consider how the curriculum, and the notion of individual subjects and teachers’ pedagogy, could be constructed?
Drawing on case studies taken from a range of innovative secondary schools, and interrogating the use of cross-curricular approaches in UK schools, Cross-Curricular Teaching and Learning in Humanities constructs a research based pedagogy with practical steps for students and teachers as they consider how cross-curricular approaches can be implemented in their own subject areas.
Key features include:



Clear theoretical frameworks for cross-curricular processes of teaching and learning in the humanities


Lively and engaging text that blends key issues with stories of current practice


An analysis of the use of assessment, enquiry, and pupil talk as key components in building a cross-curricular approach to the humanities


Practical and reflective tasks that enable to reader to apply their reading to day to day practice, alongside links to professional standards


Summaries of key research linked to suggestions for further reading


Professional development activities to promote cross-curricular dialogue


Part of the Cross-Curricular Teaching and Learning in the Secondary School series, this timely interdisciplinary textbook is essential reading for all students on Initial Teacher Training courses and practising teachers looking to holistically introduce cross-curricular themes and practices in secondary Humanities teaching.

Richard Harris is Lecturer in History Education at the Institute of Education, University of Reading. He has chaired the Secondary Committee of the Historical Association, runs in-service training courses and acts as a consultant for various organisations, such as the Council of Europe.
Simon Harrison is Deputy Headteacher at Swanmore College of Technology. He has run training events for the Historical Association (of which he is Secondary Committee Chair), Schools History Project and the SSAT. He has also written for the journals Teaching History and CPD Update.
Richard McFahn is General Adviser for School’s Support and Intervention with responsibility for Humanities. He has run numerous in-service training events for the Historical Association and is a regular workshop leader at the annual Schools History Project Conference. He is a member of the Historical Association’s Secondary Committee and a member of the Geographical Association.

Chapter 1: What are the humanities and what is the context for cross-curricular teaching and learning?

Chapter 2: Cross-curricular approaches to the humanities – how might a school shape its curriculum?

Chapter 3: Approaches to Teaching and Learning in the humanities and Beyond

Chapter 4: Promoting Enquiry and independent learning

Chapter 5: Using talk to support thinking in the humanities

Chapter 6: Teaching controversial and sensitive topics

Chapter 7: Assessment and Progression within the humanities

Chapter 8 Future Directions

References