| This study attempted to identify trends in the social studies objectives as reflected in the journal Social Education from 1937 to 1986. This Journal has represented and led the field of social studies education since its publication.; A content analysis was conducted to identify trends in the field. Each article in the journal from 1937 to 1986 was scanned and articles related to the social studies objectives were separated. These separated articles were classified into one of the categories in the social studies objectives and the number of articles in each category was tabulated.; An analysis of the findings of the study provided the basis for the following conclusions: (1) Among the four major aspects in social studies objectives, the knowledge (subject-matter) aspect received the largest number of articles through the five decades. (2) Among the skills objectives, thinking skills attracted the largest number of articles, followed by communication skills, map and globe skills, and information-gathering skills. (3) Among the values and attitudes objectives, global perspectives received the largest number of articles, followed by unum values, pluribus values, and future-oriented perspectives. (4) Among the knowledge objectives, history received the largest number of articles in each period as well as in total count. It was followed by geography, political science, sociology, citizenship education, and economics. (5) The social participation experiences objective has been disregarded by the journal and needs to attract more attention from the journal in the future. (6) Emphasis on certain objectives in the journal had a relatively close relationship with change in society and the social studies field.; The process of redefining the objectives in social studies education reflecting changes in society and development in subject fields will and should continue to improve the social studies field, and help students to become more competent citizens in the world as well as in a society. |
