Browsing by Author "Tyni, Soila"

The aim of the study is to research what kind of images and stereotypes geography text books construct from Finland´s neighbouring countries, Sweden, Estonia and Russia. The study aims to answer the question, what kind of images is created from Russia, Estonia and Sweden and their nations. The study also finds out how much countries are handled in the books and does the text bring more similarities or differences between the countries in question and Finland and Finnish people. I also look deeper into the concept of Nordic countries and find out if the books create a common Nordic identity. Often Nordic countries are handled in the books wider than Estonia and Russia, although Estonia and Russia are important neighbours to Finland and they are the biggest minorities living in Finland. Nine geography text books, which are in use in Finnish schools at the moment (4th and 5th grades), were analysed by using discourse analysis. From the books only those chapters and pictures where examined which handled countries in question. Also the number of the pages were counted to find out which information is seen important in the books. Pictures were categorized by countries and differentiated between pictures of the nation or physical geography. Pictures of nations were taken into closer examination. In the part of analysis is written the discourses which were found from the countries. Results indicate that Russia and Russians are seen Slavic and Eastern Europeans, something different than Finnish. As a country, Russia is presented as undeveloped and partly polluted, whereas Nordic Countries are described as welfare states, equal, democratic etc. Books create positive image of Nordic countries and Finland´s belonging to that group is highlighted for example with common history. Finland’s history as a part of Russia is not mentioned anywhere. The text books create positive Nordic identity to Finnish. Sweden is seen familiar and safe place, very similar to Finland. Estonia is clearly part of the Baltic countries, although similarities to Finland is emphasized.