SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PRE-MODERN NATION IN MOROCCO

This study investigates school textbooks with a focus on a pre-modern nation construction in Morocco. It seeks to detect the cultural symbols via which the pre-modern nation is formed. Using a deductive approach, social studies textbooks of middle school are analyzed.Drawing on the Ethno-Symbolist conceptual framework to nation formation which is developed by Anthony Smith, this study highlights the significant role of textbooks in nation-building.It suggests that the textbooks construct a pre-modern nation of Morocco out of an Arab-Muslim cultural repertoire. The research recommends changes to the content of the textbooks to adopt a multi-cultural approach, which would accommodate cultural funds of Amazigh and Jewish ethnic groups in the national narratives.