Virtuous Subjects: A Critical Analysis of the Affective Substance of Social Studies Education

Abstract

This essay invites social studies educators to consider critical theoretical insights related to affect, emotions, and feelings from what has been termed “the affective turn” in social sciences and humanities scholarship. Developments in theorizing affect and recent research in social studies education are related to affective elements of social studies. Two specific affects—pride and shame—are considered within specific contexts of teaching civics and teaching history. The affective dimensions of social studies education require critical reflection and analysis to understand the complex nature of affect in social studies education.