Educational Myths About the GDR (MythErz)

Project Description

The interdisciplinary project "MythErz" of the BBF, the Humboldt-University of Berlin, the University of Hildesheim and the University of Rostock, which was funded within the framework of the BMBF research networks on GDR history, dealt with the myths about education in the GDR. In various subprojects of the partners, an extensive collection of previously untapped image, text, sound and film sources were used to analyse emotionally powerful mental images and narratives about education, upbringing and school in the GDR, which outlasted the dictatorship. These images and narratives were analysed in relation to the often positive assessments of the GDR's education system, which were expressed soon after reunification and which have intensified over the years. These included, for example, ideas about socially unrestricted access to education, a better education (more systematic, especially in the natural sciences), and an equal gender relationship that was also established through education. These assessments become myths when they become an identity-forming component of a collective memory. Through source-critical and contextualizing interpretation and contrast, practices of producing narratives and images in educational and teaching situations were revealed and their coagulation into effective, lasting "educational myths" investigated. The findings gained in this way and the data and sources newly developed and used in the collaborative project were made digitally and sustainably accessible to the general public on an online platform for research, teaching and instruction, which is managed by the BBF.

BBF Subproject "Indoctrinating Lessons - Images of Specialized Classes in GDR Film Recordings"

The first subproject of the BBF dealt with the cinematic recordings of GDR specialized classes. Since the early 1970s, lessons in the GDR have been recorded by the Humboldt-University of Berlin, the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences in the GDR (APW) and the Pädagogischen Hochschulen (i.e. teacher's college) Potsdam und Dresden. The recordings were primarily intended for teacher training and further education. More than 200 of these recordings have survived to this day.

Against the background of memories of school teaching in the GDR, which were disseminated after 1989 and sometimes condensed into myths (e.g. in pedagogical journals), the aim of the project was to use source-critical methods of (serial) videographic analysis and videological interpretation to expand and deepen historical knowledge about school teaching in the GDR.

Among the narratives often reproduced and, in the sense of Roland Barthes, coagulated into "Mythologies" (Englisch translation, 1957) are - among others - those of very well structured natural sciences lessons in the GDR, of a larger 'subject-methodological' system of disciplined teaching or of a lack of communicative orientation in Russian lessons. The study examined the recordings of specialist lessons primarily in physics and chemistry as well as in German and foreign language teaching. In this way, the results of the project provided insights into ideas of good teaching in the GDR, into the relationship between teaching and social development in the GDR in the context of the East-West conflict, and into the mythical continuation of stories about teaching in the GDR.

BBF Subproject "MythErz - Infrastructure Services, Transfer of Results and Exploitation"

In the second subproject, a comprehensive collection of sources were indexed and made available for evaluation in the subprojects. These included digitised pedagogical lectures, illustrations from textbooks and archive materials from the Archive of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of the GDR (APW). In addition, the BBF advised and supported the project partners in data management and in questions of copyright and personal protection law.

The BBF also presents the results of the various collaborative projects for researchers at universities, colleges and non-university institutions as well as for schools, political education and the general public on the online portal Bildungsmythen in der langen Geschichte der DDR (Educational Myths in the Long History of the GDR).  There are three main entry points for exploring the site: via the myths, via the sources and via a glossary. All content is interlinked. In terms of content, the myths and the rich multimedia source material are in the foreground. The collection of sources acquired for research purposes is freely accessible for the first time. The glossary provides a quick overview of the topic and makes it easier to understand typical GDR terminology. It can be used directly as an introduction or called up from the texts for specific terms. A search for persons and keywords is also integrated. 

All these Open Access services are aimed at enabling users to engage in independent activities and discoveries while at the same time reflecting on myths and dealing with them in a historically conscious manner - neither euphemistically nor demonizingly.

Funding

The project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the framework "Forschungsverbünde zur DDR-Geschichte" (i.e. "Research Networks on GDR History").

Cooperations

• Humboldt-University of Berlin
• University of Hildesheim
• University of Rostock

Project Management

Project Team

• Dr. Stefan Cramme
• Nele Herzog
• Anja Ludwig
• Cäcilia von Malotki
• Dr. Bettina Reimers
• Prof. Dr. Ulrich Wiegmann

Project Details