AN OVERALL OUTLOOK ON SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION IN SPAIN

Abstract

In this study, the short history, aims, general framework of social studies education in Spanish primary education system and the basic learning areas applied in the current social ctudies courses are shed light on. Within the scope of the study, which followed a path from general to specific, firstly the general profile of Spain was drawn, then the basic components of the Spanish education system were revealed, and finally, information on the content of social studies education was given. The aim of the study is to examine the social studies curriculum of Spain country, which is considered to be similar to Turkey in the context of its historical developments, and which has the characteristics of two peninsulas located in the east and west of the Mediterranean, constituting the two edge regions of Southern Europe, and to be a pioneer in comparative social studies education between two countries. In the study, the case study method, which is one of the qualitative research methods and frequently used in educational research, was used. In the process of obtaining the data, the method of document analysis was applied and the Spanish Royal Decrees, which are the primary sources, the Spanish Official Gazette, which includes the laws related to education, and the official data of the Spanish Ministry of National Education were used. On the other hand, the books, articles and theses that were mostly written by Spanish authors were examined and included in the literature stage. In addition, the EURYDICE database, which includes reports and statistics on the education systems of European countries, and various other internet resources were also consulted. As a result, social studies education in Spanish primary education system, which is carried out over four basic learning areas, and its reflections have been tried to be expressed in general terms.