Resource Exploitation and Consumption in the Frame of Education for Sustainable Development in German Geography Textbooks

Year 2017, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 48 - 79, 30.04.2017

Matthias Kowasch

Abstract

This paper discusses the representation of resource exploitation and consumption in German geography
textbooks. The aim of the paper is to contribute to a critical and reflective understanding of the
representation of resource-related issues in textbooks by analyzing two scientific debates (resource
curse and actor analysis). The paper shows that all studied geography textbooks contribute to a certain
degree to awareness raising in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), but references to the
everyday life of students are rare. There are only few action-orientated tasks in the frame of resource
exploitation and consumption in the studied textbooks. As real-world examples help develop students’
critical thinking skills and shape their ideas of sustainable development, these aspects reflect a
pedagogical shortcoming. 

Keywords

Geography Textbooks, Education For Sustainable Development (ESD), Resource Exploitation And Consumption, Action Competence, Resource Curse, Actor Analysis

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