Deadline 10 Jan 2021

Maria Montessori, her times and our years. History, vitality and perspectives of an innovative pedagogy

This call aims to propose a critical and historical reflection on the many variables that feature the practical and theoretical achievements of Maria Montessori’s Pedagogy and Movement from the end of the XIX century to our years, by highlighting the human, professional and cultural relations between her, her thought and some significant institutions, educators and thinkers in Italy and in foreign Countries.Maria Montessori, her theories, her method and her schools have always been at the center of a broad debate that involves both educational elements, and historical, cultural or political aspects.

This call aims to propose a critical and historical reflection on the many variables that feature the practical and theoretical achievements of Maria Montessori’s Pedagogy and Movement from the end of the XIX century to our years, by highlighting the human, professional and cultural relations between her, her thought and some significant institutions, educators and thinkers in Italy and in foreign Countries.

Maria Montessori, her theories, her method and her schools have always been at the center of a broad debate that involves both educational elements, and historical, cultural or political aspects.

Reconstructing the figure and commitment of Maria Montessori, as well as the spread of her method in Italy from its beginning to the present day, is a difficult but essential work not only to understand a very important and diffused educational practice, but also in order to promote and encourage new pedagogical approaches. Furthermore, by examining Italian origins of the concrete settings and theoretical fundaments of Maria Montessori’s method, it will be scientifically possible both return the Italian identity of this educational way, and offer cultural resources for a renewed restart of the Montessori challenge in our Country.

This CFP originates from the PRIN 2017 Project “Maria Montessori from the past to the present. Reception and implementation of her educational method in Italy on the 150th anniversary of her birth”.

Articles of this CfP are expected in Italian or English.

This issue will include a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 12 articles.

Main thematic areas:

The influence of Montessori’s pedagogy on Italian educational thought in the 20th century with particular regard to the relationships between the Montessori movement and “Umanitaria” Society, catholic educational institutions, academic researches on pedagogy and theosophical movement.

The historical reconstruction – through archival and editorial materials – of the manuscripts and publications of Maria Montessori and her early followers (pedagogical and didactic texts, periodicals, reports, letters and memoirs).

The history of Maria Montessori’s method in Italy: its achievements, its diffusion and evolution over time (from kindergartens to subsequent scholastic grades), its relationships with other contemporary educational movements (outdoor schools, Agazzi method, fascist and post-fascist schools, contemporary educational movements).

The history of Montessori educators and teachers training, starting from the first course held by Montessori herself in 1909, passing through Opera Nazionale Montessori, Centro Internazionale Studi Montessoriani, Association Montessori Internationale, Centro Nascita Montessori, etc.

The historical evolution and diffusion of Montessori furniture and materials, also in relation to the architectural peculiarities suggested and stimulated by the educational method in question.

Calendar:

From February 19th, 2020 to April 19th, 2020 authors should be invited to submit an extended abstract (up to 1.000 words), in which the authors should outline their contributions according to the contents of the special issue such as: Introduction & Topic; Theoretical framework, extant and relevant literature; Methodology; References. Authors are invited to include a biographical note (up to 75 words);

The special issue’s Editors identify the abstracts in accordance with the Call for Paper requests. Editors can use anonymous experts.

Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified by May 20th, 2020 and will then be invited to submit the full paper to editor within January 10th, 2021. Manuscripts should be no more than 8.000 words (about 45.000 characters with spaces, including notes and bibliographical references). Manuscripts should conform to the editorial conventions set by RSE – Rivista di Storia dell’educazione:

In Italian: https://new.cirse.it/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/07/Norme-editoriali-RSE-open-access-FIN-IT.pdf

In English: https://new.cirse.it/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/07/Editorial-guidelines-RSE-open-access-FIN-EN.pdf

All papers will be subject to anonymous peer review. The process of peer reviewing presumably will end March 30th 2021.

After peer reviewing, authors will have about more than one month to correct articles. The definitive version of paper should be submitted by May 20th, 2021.

Launch of the Special issue in November/December, 2021.

Editors of the Special Issue and e-mail for submissions (Please Note: each communication must be sent to all the editors):

– Prof. Fulvio De Giorgi fulvio.degiorgi@unimore.it

– Prof.ssa Paola Trabalzini p.trabalzini@lumsa.it

– Prof. William Grandi william.grandi@unibo.it

CC: Prof. Pietro Causarano segreteria@cirse.it

RSE Home page: https://www.rivistadistoriadelleducazione.it/index.php/RSE