A Critical Analysis of Global Citizenship in 2015 Revised Elementary Social Studies Curriculum (Theory and Research in Citizenship Education; Vol. 50, No. 1)

The purpose of this study was to examine how global citizenship is reflected in the 2015 revised social studies curriculum. The study used the conceptual framework of Merryfield(1998) to analyze the national curriculum. The results of the analysis are as follows. First, in terms of understanding of the world as interdependent systems, contents on politics and culture as well as economy increased. Second, more global issues and problems were included. Third, contents on sustainable development increased. Fourth, the scope of diversity expanded. Fifth, interconnectedness of humans through time was inadequately reflected in the current social studies curriculum. Sixth, contents on values and attitudes, and actions were strengtened. Sixth, contents of cross-cultural understanding, interaction, and communication are not adequately included. The elementary social studies curriculum should strengthen cross-cultural understanding and interaction and prejudice reduction. Also, more instructional methods for global citizenship education should be developed and teacher education programs should be overhauled.