Values in Social Studies Curriculum: Case of Turkey

The importance of values in the development of society and the establishment of relations among individuals has made the social studies course important in the transfer of values. Because the social studies course is intertwined with values by its nature whether it is given directly or not. In this framework, values were included in every learning area, unit and subject of the social studies course, which was included in the curriculum for the first time in 1968. However, the explicit inclusion of values under a title in social studies curriculum was in 2005 with the reorganization of the education system according to the constructivist approach. The curricula have been made more explanatory and systematic compared to previous curricula. It has continued in the same way to the present day. In this study, in which the curricula that have been implemented since 2005 are examined, the values are given in tables by using the document analysis method. Then, it was interpreted by subjecting it to descriptive analysis. Thus, it is purposed to reveal the change and transformation by determining the values added and removed in the social studies curriculum.