Kazimierz Franciszek Stęplowski o nauczaniu historii

Abstract

Kazimierz Franciszek Stęplowski (1700-1772), a teacher in the academic colonies, professor and nine-time Rector of the Cracovian University contributed to popularising history teaching. In 1762, in the project on improvement of Nowodworski Schools, he limited the number of Latin poets on the reading list in order to extend history teaching, which in the two lower grades, according to him should be lectured in Polish. In 1769, he established foundations for the Cracovian University, one of which concerned teaching history as a school subject. His resolutions were included in the last will prepared on May 31st, 1769. He settled the financial basis of the foundation, and allotted part of the income received from rent of the principal sum for a separate post of the teacher of history and geography, and for newspapers to be read twice a week, whereas the received information on countries and cities was to be indicated on maps, and to expand knowledge on political systems, religion, customs and history. On days without press reading, there should be a reading on the lives of saints, map reading of their places of birth, education, conduct, work and tomb. Kazimierz Stęplowski combined teaching of history with geography and presented didactic clues that were based on visual teaching of those subjects.