The ‘history of the Argentine railway system’ in the classroom. Reflecting periodizations and practices from researching the world of railway work

Abstract

As part of personal interests to study the world of railway work and with the concern of articulating my research with my teaching task I intend to discuss the periodization that on the so-called ‘history of the Argentine railway system’appears in the secondary schools of the province of Santa Fe where I work. In this article I will review the speeches and stories that simplify a history of the train in Argentina based on the way some school manuals deal with the subject. Then I will expose the lines of research that contribute to study the world of railway work and privilege the social dynamics existing in local spaces. Thirdly, I will recover a teaching and intervention experience in the community carried out in the city of San Cristobal, Santa Fe province, which presents an interesting approach to the railway issue that favors the problematization and critical thinking of students.