Wiedza wyzwalająca
Liberating knowledge

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses the relation between knowledge and skills in the core curriculum in history. It begins with the analysis of how the popularity of certain concepts in didactics (e.g. working with source texts) leads to illusory changes in teaching, when introduced unawarely of their real meaning. In this account it is then considered how the belief that skills are more important than knowledge has emerged. Young and Muller’s concept of “three futures” and the notion of powerful knowledge are presented. The author argues that the violent dispute between the educational traditionalists and progressivists leads to the loss of the important truth about the inseparable connection between knowledge and skills. At the same time he attempts to show the application of the concept of powerful knowledge in the practice of writing the curriculum. The article ends with the presentation of the author’s vision of how to select pieces of knowledge and skills to be included in the core curriculum. Knowledge about writing history, history of second degree and shaping the sociological imagination are the main criteria of this selection.

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