Du gamla, du fria och du svenska kulturkanon En kritisk diskursanalys över musikämnets- och skolans styrdokument och offentliga debatter i media

Abstract

This thesis aims to through a critical discourse analyze inspired lens study two public debates regarding the national anthem’s inclusion in the school curriculum and the implementation of a Swedish cultural canon as a tool for teaching music in Swedish schools. The curriculum is a political tool in many ways and an extension of society´s construction of the purpose of school, education and music. Media plays a great role in presenting the relevant actors’ view of society and the role of the school. It mirrors society in many ways and the consciousness of political actors. The findings in this study suggest that a broad view that society, and by extension, the schooling system, is at great risk. The national anthem and the cultural canon are tools by conservative and nationalist political forces to shape society through the school curriculum in a way that prevents the coming collapse of the common cultural icons and values. These propositions are met with great opposition from teachers and other political actors who see this as an attempt to either control the school, the teachers and/or the cultural and/or ethnic development of Sweden. The actors involved see themselves as defending the cultural legacy or the autonomy of culture and the teaching profession. Many times, painting the opposition in colourful negative ways as to align the reader with their position through abstracts, historical examples or emotional pleas. The findings are in line with other research done, through critical discourse and other methods, that suggest the market reforms in schools in the 90’s played a big role in shaping the discourse as it stands now. Society and its broader political and economic context shape the structures and the conditions for both the school system, the teacher, students and the discourses themselves.