The Forgotten Contribution of the Teaching Sisters: A Historiographical Essay on the Educational Work of Catholic Women Religious in the 19th and 20th Centuries

Contents

Contents Acknowledgements 7 Chapter 1 Introduction 9 Background of the research 9 Scope 10 Aims and objectives 11 Organization of the study 11 Chapter 2 Evolution of scholarly interest in the educational work of women religious 13 A tale of historical neglect and marginalization 13 The discovery of women religious as a historical ‘subject’ 14 Elements of a new historiography 16 Chapter 3 Overview and assessment of the literature 19 Contribution to schooling 19 Teaching orders and schools 24 Educational philosophy, content and practice 29 Educational philosophy 30 Educational content 32 Educational practice 40 Life and the lived experience of teachers and students 41 The professionalization of teaching 46 Training, competence and experience 47 6 contents Life-long career and career patterns 49 Specialization and corporate identity 50 Relationship with associations and unions of teachers 51 Involvement in textbook production 52 Changes in the composition of the teaching staff 53 Chapter 4 Conclusions 55 Notes 57 Bibliography 87 ...