THE ROLE OF GEOGRAPHY TEACHING IN ACTIVE CITIZESHIP EDUCATION: THE OPINION OF FACULTY MEMBERS

Citizenship education is in interaction with many disciplines by its nature. One of these disciplines is geography. When the literature of the related field is examined, geography education activities have an aspect which needs to be taken into consideration. This is citizenship education. When citizenship education is examined, it is observed that active citizenship education stands out in developed democracies. If the active citizenship education is contemplated from a geographical perspective, common points are in evidence. The aim of this study is to determine the role of geography teaching in active citizenship education. The views of 10 academicians with doctoral degrees in the field of geography and social studies education were applied to for this purpose. The pattern of the study is the phenomenologic research method which is one of the qualitative research methods. Snowball sampling method which is one of the purposeful sampling methods was utilized in the determination of participants. Semi-structured interview form prepared by the researcher was used as the data collection tool. According to the findings of the research: Participants stated that there is a direct correlation between geography teaching and citizenship education. This correlation occurns in the dimensions of place-mankind-environment; belonging, environmental awareness, responsibility, sustainability, globalization and mutual interdependence, recognizing differences, solidarity and tolerance. Geography adds attachment to the populated environment with a sense of belonging. It also makes inroads into being a citizen with environmental awareness and responsibility.