Caring about the Past: Engaging with Historical Empathy

Why did the people in the past think and behave the way they did? How did people feel when faced with adversity, injustice, or other struggles? Can we ever really know?

Building historical empathy and attempting to understand the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of people in the past is a challenging and worthwhile endeavour. Historical empathy encourages us to consider context and evidence, practice taking a historical perspective, and can shed light on the experiences of traditionally marginalized people. It can also help build empathy in the present, promoting a greater understanding of other peoples’ experiences and creating caring, engaged citizens.

This event brought together educators, historians, museum professionals, and researchers to explore innovative ways of engaging with history that promote empathy, understanding, and a deeper connection to the past.

This event featured presentations from:

• Sara Karn (McMaster University)
• Anna Pearson (teacher and PhD candidate, York University)
• Mélissa St-Pierre (Huron-Wendat Museum)
• Geneviève de Muys (Musée de la civilization)
• Graham Lowes (Canadian Museum of Human Rights)
• Greg Miyanaga (grade 2/3 teacher, Coquitlam School District)

RECOMMENDED READING & RESOURCES

Reading

Barton, K. C., & Levstik, L. S. (2004). Teaching history for the common good. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Karn, S. (2024). Walking in their footsteps: Historical empathy and experiential learning on battlefield study tours. Historical Encounters, 11(1), 30-42. https://doi.org/10.52289/hej11.103 

Karn, S. (2023). Historical empathy: A cognitive-affective theory for history education in Canada. Canadian Journal of Education/Revue Canadienne de l’éducation, 46(1), 80-110. https://doi.org/10.53967/cje-rce.5483 

Lévesque, S. (2008). Thinking historically: Educating students for the 21st century. University of Toronto Press.

Classroom Resources

Historical empathy: A primer for history and social studies educators (Sara Karn) 

Historical empathy: A collection of resources for teachers (Sara Karn)

Pedagogical Triangle (Facing History & Ourselves)

Lesson Plan: Preparing for Difficult Conversations (Jacqueline Cleave, Canada’s History)

Lesson Plan: Paying Attention to Emotions When Learning (TC2)

Lesson Plan: Come Walk Awhile in Our Shoes (Peter Kear, Historica Canada)

Museums

Canadian Museum for Human Rights 

Musée de la civilisation 

Musée Huron-Wendat 

Websites

Landscapes of Injustice 

The Witness Blanket