How should citizenship education be given?: A study based on the opinions of social studies teachers

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to perform an in-depth examination of the opinions of social studies teachers on how citizenship education should be given. Phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the research. The study group of the research was formed with 17 social studies teachers working in different regions of Turkey, having different professional seniority and also different genders, by using maximum diversity sampling. The data of the study were collected through a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data. As a result of the research, it was concluded that the perception of social studies teachers regarding the phenomenon of citizenship varied. It was determined that social studies teachers considered the main purpose of social studies as citizenship education and also as a course aimed at raising individuals that the society needs. In the study, it was also concluded that the teachers were of the opinion that appropriate content should be used, different teaching methods-techniques should be employed, and value education should be emphasized while giving citizenship education in the social studies course. Various suggestions were made based on the results of the research.