Social Studies Lesson in Türkiye As A Means of Citizenship Transfer: A Perspective from The Critical Citizenship Education Approach
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: IntroductIonThe endeavor of individuals to explore and comprehend their surroundings, commencing from birth, may either flourish or dwindle contingent upon the attributes of their environment.This underscores the critical importance, particularly in childhood, of crafting learning environments and educational curricula that provide enriching learning opportunities, fostering active student engagement.The primary aim of such learning experiences should be to facilitate self-discovery and exploration of the environment by children (Arend, Gove, & Sroufe, 1979;Green, 2002;Çukur, 2011;Budak;Gençtanırım Kurt and Kula, 2018).By doing so, it becomes feasible to sustain an individual's curiosity, propensity for inquiry, and pursuit of discovery over the course of their life (Liquin & Lombrozo, 2020).According to Henry Groux (2003), despite the democratic nature of the governmental system, the education dispensed within schools, recognized as one of the most potent agents of socialization, is designed not only to perpetuate the prevailing economic framework but also other societal structures.Knowledge is not devoid of ties to society and consequently, to the individuals molded by society.Knowledge construction occurs symbolically through engagement with others within our societal milieu.It follows that the knowledge generation is significantly influenced by culture, context, traditions, and historical processes (McLaren, 2002, p. 63).In various aspects of our lives, whether consciously or subconsciously, ranging from the assessment of facts or events, value judgments, television preferences, voting behavior, to travel destinations, we are subject to the impacts of the social construction process.Essentially, we are educated within the framework of a concealed curriculum (Rodriguez, 2009).Thus, critical education theorists are in search of ways to help students understand the social functions assumed by certain forms of knowledge (McLaren, 2002, p. 63).This quest has gradually revealed the fundamental principles of critical pedagogy. AbstrActIn this study, it was aimed to examine and evaluate the Social Studies Curriculum, which was announced by the Board of Education in 2018 and since then has been implemented.The curriculum was examined according to the critical citizenship approach, which is one of the citizenship approaches, taking into account the grade levels.This study was carried out using a case study design which is appropriate to a qualitative research methodology.Document analysis was used in accordance with the research design and objectives.According to some important findings obtained in the study, it has been observed that the program emphasizes the sense of identity as much as possible while neglecting content aimed at allowing individuals to freely express themselves.The program is shaped around a centralized identity understanding focused on culture, state, and society.The skills of active participation are addressed only in the context of maintaining the existing order and solidarity.The importance of democratic social movements and organized struggle, how they are or can be utilized, the inequalities that exist or may exist in society, and how these issues can be resolved; as well as concrete examples and practice-based information on how the dominant discourse is or can be effective in any area of political or social life, are not included.In general, it has been revealed that social studies education in Turkey, which aims to cultivate effective and responsible citizens, is not approached from a critical citizenship perspective and its content does not align with this approach.
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409515165