Poems in Türkiye and Iran Social Studies Textbooks and Values Found in These Poems

Abstract

This study aims to determine the poems in social studies textbooks taught in public schools in Türkiye and Iran and the values found in these poems. The study's research sample consists of social studies textbooks used in official state schools at all grade levels in both Türkiye and Iran. The data of this study, which followed qualitative research procedures, were obtained by document analysis method. In order to examine the values in the poems examined in the research, a value review form (VRF) is used. The data obtained is analyzed through content analysis. While a total of 19 poems are found in Türkiye textbooks, a total of 10 poems were found in Iran textbooks. According to the research findings, while Türkiye textbooks are generally featured by poems and poets who are accepted by the society, Iran textbooks are characterized by poems that bear witness to historical events. A noteworthy finding in Iran textbooks is that poems are interspersed in plain texts. A total of 16 different values are identified in 19 poems in Türkiye textbooks, with a frequency of use of these values being 44. In Iran textbooks, 16 values are found in 10 poems, and the frequency of use of values is 4 in terms of values found in the poems. In both countries' textbooks, love, patriotism, happiness, solidarity, respect, and altruism are the most emphasized values. It is recommended that historical poems should be utilized while teaching historical subjects in social studies courses. Within the scope of the research, it is recommended to carry out studies on whether it is appropriate to include excerpts from poems that support meaning in addition to plain texts in textbooks, effectiveness and usefulness, etc.