Sima Lozanic as the writer of textbook: Chemistry for secondary schools

Abstract

The teaching of chemistry, as an independent subject in secondary schools in Serbia, dates from 1874. Prior to that, chemistry was studied within the framework of physics and mineralogy. The rules on writing secondary-school textbooks in Serbia were passed in 1895. Within one year, Sima Lozanic wrote a textbook and submitted it for publication. Sima Lozanic (1847-1935) was a chemist, scientist, Professor, Chairman of the Academy of Sciences, the first Rector of Belgrade University, Ambassador to London, Minister of the Economy and Minister of Foreign Affairs, a diplomat. In the mid-1880’s, at the time of a reform and modernisation of grammar school, Lozanic worked on compiling a modern chemistry curriculum and introducing teaching through experiments in secondary schools.1 Apart from chemistry, Sima Lozanic also studied pedagogy (1868-1870) at the well-known school of pedagogy in Küsnacht near Zurich. At Zurich University, Lozanic studied chemistry under Johannes Wislicenus, and subsequently spent one year at August Wilhelm von Hofmann’s laboratory for organic chemistry.2 Scientific textbooks are at the crossroad between disciplines such as history of science, history of education and history of books and reading.3 We analysed Sima Lozanic’s textbook Chemistry for Secondary Schools, dating from 1896 to gain insight into what amount of chemistry knowledge was presented to young people in Serbia in the end of the 19th century, and what principles textbook written. We needed to develop the methodology for analysing and evaluating the quality of this textbook within the context of the period when it were created. Sima Lozanic’s textbook is characterised by the high level of systematicness when it comes to the manner of presenting its contents and consistency of approach throughout the book. It may be assumed that the mentioned approach was developed during the course of Sima Lozanic’s studies under Wislicenus and Hofmann.