Mid Sweden University

The overall purpose of this study is to contribute with empirical data to a scientific area that currently is missing just that: younger pupils view on the school subject history. This study is based on the history didactics goal, which is to teach knowledge about history in school. The method used in this study is qualitative research and consists of four semi structured group interviews with, in total, eleven pupils in the fifth grade in middle school. The knowledge claims are interpretive with the purpose to develop an understanding for the pupils view on history and their acquirement of knowledge during history class. The problem statements discussed in this study are focused on which history culture the pupils are presented with during their classes and what consequences this has on their acquirement of a historical awareness and a historical identity. The teaching has, in relation to the syllabus, a central content to deliver, but the view of history seems to be a question of interpretation by the teacher. The study finds that the pupils has a positive attitude towards history as a subject, but that the cultural view on the subject can be perceived as stereotype. In different extent, the pupils show a historical awareness and an emerging historical identity in where their surroundings have a central part. This study ends on a discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of the analysis, focused on ethics.