Analysis of Reflections of Global Connections Learning Area in Social Studies Textbooks

Abstract

The present study aims to reveal how the social studies textbooks address the global connections learning area included in the 2018 social studies curriculum. We used the document analysis method to examine and evaluate the reflections of the global connections learning area in social studies textbooks. The textbooks were evaluated and interpreted with the descriptive analysis method. The results of the study show that in the textbooks examined, global topics are handled with a focus on Turkey. Also, the problem of prejudices, which is one of the biggest obstacles in the world that prevent people from getting to know others, is covered in the 4th- and the 7th-grade textbooks. The topic of prejudices, which is handled with an emphasis on cultural differences in the 4th-grade textbook, is presented in the 7th-grade textbook together with the concepts of Islamophobia and racism. Lastly, the topics of global problems and global citizenship, which are expected to be emphasized more in the global connections learning area, are only indirectly addressed in the 7th-grade textbook.