MACOS in Queensland: The Politics of Educational Knowledge

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Abstract
The paper is concerned with the controversy about a primary school level social studies course, MACOS, which occurred in Queensland in 1977. The course was attacked by religious fundamentalists over a period of four months and consequently was banned from Queensland State schools by Cabinet in January 1978. The paper provides background to the debate in order to show that the Queensland campaign against MACOS was similar to those which occurred in the U.S.A. in recent years. A content analysis of fundamentalist writings and MACOS materials is described. The results show that fundamentalist writings and MACOS materials are diametrically opposed at the level of cultural presuppositions. In addition, an attempt is made to demonstrate a connection between knowledge and the use of power by the political elite. We argue that the fundamentalist paradigm for society is favoured by the Queensland Cabinet over competing versions of social reality. The decision to ban MACOS (and SEMP later) can be understood then as a political move to ensure that the schools reinforce the views of the political elite.

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