What kind of citizen? An analysis of the social studies curriculum in Turkey

Abstract

The social studies curriculum was recently revised in Turkey, running in a pilot scheme in the school year 2004-05. It was then implemented in primary schools all over Turkey from 2006. This study describes the kind of citizen it aims to form by analysing all of the documents relating to social studies teaching. The social studies curriculum for primary education was prepared as separate programmes for the fourth and fifth grades, and the sixth and seventh grades. These two programmes are therefore discussed and analysed separately in this study. This research has some characteristics of a case study as a result of the qualitative research designs and content analysis used. According to the research, the main goal of the social studies curriculum in Turkey, which is to form citizens who are democratic, active and respectful of human rights, is visibly promoted in the social studies curriculum.