An Examination Role of Social Studies Course in the Context of Social Identity Formation: Social Studies Curriculum (1968, 1998, 2005)

The fact that human is a social entity forces him to be in relation with social life. While the society responds to the needs from individual, it is also in some expectation from the individual too. Individuals develop social identities by means of the needs of the societies. It is seen that the education systems of the societies serve this purpose. This research was conducted to examine the role of the Social Studies course in the formation of social identity. In this research conducted by qualitative research method, the aims of 1968, 1998 and 2005 Social Studies course were examined. The obtained data were analyzed by content analysis. According to this, it has been determined that for the purposes of the social studies curricula, the most common forms of social identity are consciousness, national consciousness, state awareness, legal rules, citizenship consciousness, social integrity/harmony and social values. Social identity is emphasized more than the other two programs in the purposes of the 1998 Social Studies course. This program follows the objectives of the Social Studies course of 1968 and 2005. It is s？een that the purposes of the 2005 Social Studies program included statements about the formation of social identity as well as statements about the individual