The object of this presentation is to contribute to an ongoing theoretical discussion on rethinking curriculum theory, while identifying some of its challenges and promises. I use part of the conceptual discussion initiated at the first, second and third conferences on curriculum theory (Forsberg ed. 2007, Englund, Forsberg & Sundberg eds. 2012) as points of departure, while carrying the analysis one step further. Various meanings of time and history, culture and agency in curriculum studies are discussed and some comments made on didactics as a possible link between socio-historical and curriculum-theory approaches. Theoretical and methodological framework includes the curriculum-theory perspectives rooted in frame factor theory and highlights historical and theoretical analysis. The discussion focuses on challenges evoked when concepts and arguments originating in one educational perspective confronts a different theoretical strand, and I argue that such boundary work offers prolific means to rethink curriculum theory. I suggest that allowing Reinhart Koselleck’s conceptual history, in addition to James V. Wertsch’ reasoning on voices of collective remembering, to influence a possible vocabulary of curriculum theory would strengthen the theoretical tradition. I ground my arguments in empirical data and theoretical discussions within a number of research projects in which I have been recently involved.