Critical analysis of textbooks: knowledge-generating logics and the emerging image of ‘global economic contexts’

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to the critical analysis of textbook knowledge, which, working from a discourse theory perspective (based on the work of Foucault), refers to the performative nature of language. The critical potential of the approach derives from an analysis of knowledge-generating logics, which produce particular images of reality in the textual material. This kind of criticism creates space for didactic reflection in which something ‘other’ can be systematically highlighted. The approach is described by means of an example, an analysis of Austrian textbooks on business administration, looking specifically at the knowledge they contain about global economic contexts.

Keywords:

• discourse analysis
• discourse theory
• Foucault
• global citizenship education
• post-structuralism
• textbook analysis

Acknowledgement

The author would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their helpful and constructive comments that greatly contributed to improving the final version of the paper.

Corpus of texts

Publisher 1 (P1)

(P1,I) Praxisblicke Betriebswirtschaft, I HAK. (2012). Linz: Trauner.

(P1,II) Praxisblicke Betriebswirtschaft, II HAK. (2012). Linz: Trauner.

(P1,III) Praxisblicke Betriebswirtschaft, III HAK. (2013). Linz: Trauner.

(P1,IV) Betriebswirtschaft, IV HAK. (2009). Linz: Trauner.

(P1,V) Betriebswirtschaft, V HAK. (2010). Linz: Trauner.

Publisher 2 (P2)

(P2,I) Betriebswirtschaft, HAK I. (2012). Wien: Manz.

(P2,II) Betriebswirtschaft, HAK II. (2009). Wien: Manz.

(P2,III) Betriebswirtschaft, HAK III. (2010). Wien: Manz.

(P2,IV) Betriebswirtschaft, HAK IV. (2011). Wien: Manz.

(P2,V) Betriebswirtschaft, HAK V. (2012). Wien: Manz.

Publisher 3 (P3)

(P3,I) Wirtschaft verstehen – Zukunft gestalten I: Arbeitsbuch für BW. (2010). Wien: hpt.

(P3,II) Wirtschaft verstehen – Zukunft gestalten II: Arbeitsbuch für BW. (2010). Wien: öbv.

(P3,III) Wirtschaft verstehen – Zukunft gestalten III: Arbeitsbuch für BW. (2011). Wien: hpt.

(P3,IV) Wirtschaft verstehen – Zukunft gestalten IV: Arbeitsbuch für BW. (2012). Wien: öbv.

(P3,V) Wirtschaft verstehen – Zukunft gestalten V: Arbeitsbuch für BW. (2009). Wien: hpt.

Notes

1. For an overview of the Austrian Education System, see: www.edusystem.at.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael Thoma

Michael Thoma currently holds a position as an Assistant Professor in the area of Business Education in the School of Management, Department of Organisation and Learning, University of Innsbruck (Austria). He received his PhD (Dr. rer. soc. oec) in 2010. His research interest is focused on textbook analysis from a post-structuralist (Foucauldian) perspective.