Anahtar Kelimeler: Sosyal bilgiler, insan hakları, yurttaşlık, demokrasi. THE VIEWS OF CLASS TEACHERS ON THE INCORPORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, CITIZENSHIP AND DEMOCRACY COURSES IN THE CURRICULUM OF FOURTH GRADERS ABSTRACT

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to identify the views of class teachers on the incorporation of human rights, citizenship and democracy into the curriculum for fourth graders. The sample of the study is comprised of 23 class teachers (14 women and nine men) who worked in Sakarya, Turkey, during the 2013-2014 academic years. The study is conducted as a phenomenological model, which is one of the qualitative research method designs. The data were collected through semi-constructed interviews with the participants so as to provide an in-depth insight into class teachers views. The concept validity of the questions in the interview protocol is assessed by two specialists, and the necessary revisions are made accordingly. To finalize the protocol and to check whether the questions in the protocol are clear enough an interview with 5 teachers is conducted.The data were subject to content analysis. In conclusion, 16 of the participants (70%) said that Human Rights, Citizenship and Democracy should be included as a standalone course in the curriculum for fourth graders whereas 18 participants (78%) stressed that the subjects covered within the scope of the course should be integrated into Social Studies. The findings were discussed in reference to the literature and accompanied by implications.