A Review of Historical Studies on the Curriculum: A Systematic Review

Authors
Vahid Ahmadi
Raziyeh Hajian
Saeedeh Salehi
University of Isfahan
Abstract
Abstract

This research aims to review the historical studies on the curriculum in Iran from 1993 to 2021. The relevant papers were searched for in reputable Iranian databases (i.e., Noor Mags, Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, and Comprehensive Portal of Human Sciences). The search keywords were “history of the curriculum”, “historical dimensions of the curriculum”, and “historical curriculum”. The papers published in reputable Iranian scientific research quarterlies (validated by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology) were reviewed and evaluated qualitatively through a checklist. In this review study, 40 papers were identified. Finally, 15 papers were included after all titles, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and texts were checked. The historical studies on the curriculum in Iran were divided into two categories: conventional historical studies on curriculum and modern historical studies on curriculum. The conventional historical studies on curriculum addressed the formation of different curricular elements through a narrative method from an old-fashioned perspective. However, modern historical studies on curriculum analyzed the matter through a novel historical method using analysis and criticism. In addition to presenting studies in both categories, a quarterly should be published on the history of the curriculum to conduct systematic studies on the chronicles of curricula. Given the limited number of historical studies on the curriculum in Iran, greater emphasis must be given to research on this area.

Keywords
Keywords: curriculum
historical study
Systematic review
References
Asare, A., Bahari, H., & Arabi, A. (2019). Examination of the evolution of teacher training curriculum in Iran. Educational Sciences Quarterly, 138, 151-172. doi: 20.1001.1.10174133.1398.35.2.7.6. [In Persian]
Attaran, A., Mosapour, N., Attaran, M., & Hoseinikhoh, A. (2017). A historical perspective on the revision of teacher training curricula in Iran. Curriculum Studies Quarterly, 12 (46), 85-118. doi: 20.1001.1.17354986.1396.12.46.4.9. [In Persian]
Burke, Johnson, & Christensen, Larry (2014). Educational research (A. Kiamanesh, N. Esmaeili, S. Hasanvandi, M. Danayi-Tous, M. R. Fathi, & M. Hasnpour, Trans.; 2016). Tehran: Elm Publication.
Delavar, A .(2023). research methods in psychology and educational sciences (5th edition(. Tehran: Samt. [In Persian]
Fathi Vajargah, K. (2018). Moving beyond new understanding, in search of pluralism in curriculum territories. Higher Education Curriculum Studies, 9(18), 45-69.https://ensani.ir/file/download/article/1568439038-9895-18-2.[In Persian]
Fathi Vajargah, K., & Mehrmohammadi, M. (1999). The boundaries of curriculum and teaching. Modares Humanities, 12, 52-73. https://ensani.ir/file/download/article/20120413144134-2172-136.
[In Persian]
Gandami, F. (2016). The nature of historical research in curriculum studies from a postmodern perspective. Curriculum Studies Quarterly, 11(41), 1-22. doi:/20.1001.1.17354986.1395.11.41.1.9. [In Persian]
Ghaderi, M. (2013). Historical analysis of the meanings and goals of new understanding in the field of curriculum studies. Theory and Practice in Curriculum, 1(1), 49-72.http://cstp.khu.ac.ir/article-1-1850. [In Persian]
Ghurchian, N. (1993). The evolution of the curriculum field as a specialized domain in today's world. Research in Higher Education Quarterly, 3, 33-56. https://www.noormags.ir/view/fa/articlepage/42278. [In Persian]
Haj Akhoundi, Z., & Mosapour, N. (2015). History of developments in critical mathematics education and the main elements of its curriculum. Iranian Curriculum Studies Quarterly, 10 (39), 7-48. doi: 20.1001.1.17354986.1394.10.39.1.8. [In Persian]
Hodayee, M. (2008). Twenty years of trial and error: A look at general secondary school curricula in the first two decades of the present century. Educational Sciences Quarterly, 97. https://ensani.ir/file/download/article/20120328152420-2024-300. [In Persian]
Khoshi, A., & Fathi Vajargah, K. (2008). Reflection on curriculum throughout the history of curriculum studies. Journal of Education Strategies, 2. https://edcbmj.ir/article-1-11. [In Persian]
Khaleghi-Nejad, A. (2021). History of curriculum in public education at the undergraduate level in Iran: A documentary study. Higher Education Curriculum Studies, 12 (23), 239-267. doi: 20.1001.1.25382241.1400.12.23.10.0. [In Persian]
Kiai, S. M., Fathi Vajargah, K., Mosapour, N., & Khorasani, A. (2018). Examining the curriculum orientations during the centralization period in Iran's higher education system. Journal of Management and Planning in Educational Systems, 11(1). doi:20.1001.1.24235261.1397.11.1.7.8. [In Persian]
Mosapour, N. (2008). Curriculum planning in contemporary Iran. Educational Sciences Quarterly, 4. https://ensani.ir/file/download/article/20120328152405-2024-16. [In Persian]
Mosapour, N. (2019). Curriculum planning for teachers. Qom: Bayan Roshan.
[In Persian]
Salimi, L., Keshtiaray, N., & Fathi Vajargah, K. (2014). Explaining the process of transformation and reform in higher education curriculum after the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Higher Education Curriculum Studies, 5 (9), 52-73. doi: 20.1001.1.25382241.1393.5.9.4.7. [In Persian]
Sharifian, F. (2014). Examination of the emergence of curriculum research and the classification of traditions and active scholars in it. New Educational Approaches, 9(1), 1-36. https://nea.ui.ac.ir/article_19109_9517f783a6306ee1021f1b38a34e113c.
[In Persian]
Shabani, B., & Javidi, T. (2011). Curriculum in higher education in the 21st century: Challenges and strategies. Higher Education Curriculum Studies, 2 (3), 117-138. [In Persian]
Siamian Gorji, Z., & Salehi, K. (2013). From political history to the politics of history: A critical examination of the representation of historical developments in Iran during the Buyid dynasty in university textbooks. Research and Writing in Academic Texts Quarterly, 28, 62-76. https://jut.samt.ac.ir/article-9398840845e180e84f49535c833a81404e70.
[In Persian]