Active citizenship from the perspective of pre-service social studies teachers1

Abstract

In this research, it was aimed to determine the perceptions of social studies teacher candidates for "active citizenship" which is defined as the effective participation of the individuals in political and social life in democratic societies. In this descriptive study, descriptive survey model was used as a research model because social studies teacher candidates' perceptions of active citizenship were determined. The study group was determined according to the maximum diversity sample from the purpose sampling methods. In this direction, the study group consists of 40 students from 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students of social studies teacher department. The research data were collected during the academic year of 2017-2018 with the standardized open-ended interview form developed by the researchers. The data were analyzed with content analysis and descriptive analysis. According to the results of the research, the participants were most interested in the concept of effective citizenship at all grade levels, in the categories of citizens with rights and responsibilities, and citizens who could react to the developments in the world and in their own country, at least the citizen who gave importance to scientific development, producing and developing the society in this respect and are aware of their values. Participants should have the most responsibility for the active citizen, at least respecting the differences, adopting solidarity, democratic attitude, philanthropy, scientificness, sensitivity to natural environment and love of nature, history consciousness, self-confidence, independence, peace, equality, self-esteem, sensitivity self-control values. With regard to the skills that an active citizen should possess, they should have the most social participation and observation skills.