THE NEW GEOGRAPHY

Show abstractHide abstract

The authorities of Ministry of Education translated the Euro-American community into Japanese, Kyôdo, which means native place, when the social studies curriculum was introduced after World War II. The Civil Information and Education of the Occupation Forces expected Japanes community to be the base of democratized nation. However, Japanese educational authorities could not understand enough Euro-American community dependent on independent individual. Kyôdo education belonged mainly to the course of geographical teaching in social studies. Therefore, Kyoda education was used both for social studies themselves and pure geographical education. As a result diffusion occurred in the Kyôdo education. After changing the name of community study to neighbouring area from Kyôdo. Aims of study of community inclined strongly to basic education of geography. Therefore, primary purpose of community education for Japanese pupil faded out in social studies.
According to several surveys of public opinion in 1950s and 1960s, general trend showed negative concern of inhabitants for their community. The Ministry of Home Affairs encouraged to organize community like Euro-American pattern over the whole national areas. However, Japanese mental tradition which has more priority of community as a whole than a member of individal is strongly influential still now. This mental background seems to be negrigible to the authorities. They enforced to organize model communities over the nation.
The writer shows in this paper the contradition in relation between social studies, community education, and community enforced by Ministry of the Home Affairs.

View full abstract

Download PDF (1427K)

Register with J-STAGE for free!