An Analysis On Cultivating Senior High School Students’ Rational View On Japan By Using History Textbooks

The Sino-Japanese relations have been complicated for a long history, leaving us facing the historical task of developing a rational view on Japan at contemporary times. Senior high school students are in the important phase when their views of Japan take shape. As more attention is paid to the cultivation of students’ emotional attitude and values in the New Curriculum Reform, the paper carries on the study of how to develop high school students’ rational view on Japan by using history textbooks.First of all, this paper analyzes history textbooks for senior high school students in Fuzhou published by People’s Education Press. The descriptions of Sino-Japanese history in the textbooks are characterized as follows:" with detailed historical facts but brief comments", " more about modern history but less on ancient history", " emphasizing politics and economy but neglecting scientific and culture communication" and "stressing events but neglecting characters"Second, a questionnaire research is carried out among senior high school students in Fuzhou, and statistics and data analysis are followed to provide support for the thesis writing. It is found that instead of a simple view of "pro or anti", most students have developed an objective view towards Japan. The research results are as follows:First, the media has become a primary source of information on Sino-Japan relations for the students. Second, though the students show a low degree of affection for Japan, they could still mange to treat different issues with different attitudes. Third, the historical divergence of the two countries may deepen students’misunderstandings, but they are able to judge calmly.Third, based on the analysis of the textbooks and sampling questionnaires, the paper analyzes how to develop high school students’rational view on Japan by using history textbook. Some goals to achieve are further illustrated ----"to keep in mind the overall friendly picture, and calmly deal with frictions", "to keep in mind the humiliated history and carry forward the rational patriotic actions", "to know yourself as well as the enemy and learn from Japan"Last, some suggestions on teaching and learning are put forward in view of the existed problems on textbooks and teaching found in process of writing. As to throw away a brick in order to get a gem, the writer look forward to more mature studies from more history educators and education researchers.