The Theory of Material Construction on Teaching Geography : For Formation of Opened-Scientific Social Cognition

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the conditions of teaching material that secure the Geography courses in the elementary Social Studies Curriculum through the analysis of two textbook projects, "Macmillan Social Studies (1973)" and "Our Working World (1973)". It has been said that the status of Geography have been slighted in the Curriculum in the United States, as compared with Civics or History Course. These two projects, however, are notable, for their challengings to give certain position to Geography course in the elementary Social Studies program (Grade: 1-6). The results of analysis are as follows; 1) The objective of both in "Macmillan Social Studies" and "Our Working World" is to develop the scientific social cognition. 2) "Macmillan Social Studies" gives Geography units the status of a part of analytic social sciences education, while "Our Working World" gives the status of main part of synthetic social sciences education. 3) These two Geography units are designed to foster the liberal and critical perspective on the society. One is for the world, the other for the United States. 4) All of the above [1)-3)] condition the Geography units to be secured in the Social Studies Curriculum.