A Research On Teaching Controversial Issues In Morality And Society

This dissertation is based on the author's long-term theoretical study and practice of teaching controversial issues in Morality and Society. It starts with exploring the historical evolution and practical significance of teaching controversial issues in social studies. Then, an investigation on present situation of teaching practice in Morality and Society was conducted to find existing problems, to which suggested strategies to improve the instruction design are directed. And the whole dissertation is made of six chapters.Chapterâ… is the Introduction, in which the origin and frame of this research are elaborated. This chapter introduces the aims, main content and design of the research. Both the theoretical and practical significance of this study are demonstrated. And the concepts of controversial issues and teaching controversial issues are also explained in this part.Chapterâ…¡explores the evolution and practical significance of teaching controversial issues in social studies. The basic ideas of this subject roots in progressive education. And it gained rapid development during the time of New Social Studies Movement. Since 1980s, it has been welcomed in many countries, including China. Then, the practical significance of teaching controversial issues are discussed from tow perspectives, which are one's cognitive development and cultivating effective citizens.Chapterâ…¢reveals the existing problems of teaching controversial issues in Morality and Society on the basis of questionnaire investigation, interviews of teachers and analysis of typical teaching cases. Teaching controversial issues is restricted in ways of teachers and curriculum resources. And some teachers'interpretations of controversial issues and strategies used to teach them are questionable.Chapterâ…£provides the suggestions to improve the reality of teaching controversial issues in Morality and Society, including principles to choose issues, dimensions to analyze them, the strategies to teach them, and ways to evaluate the whole teaching process. Chapterâ…¤results from the former two chapters. It discusses the ways and designs to combine teaching controversial issues in a unit of Morality and Society organically and effectively. More operational teaching strategies are introduced and explained with example unit Kindness of Nature and the Wisdom of Human Beings.Chapterâ…¥is the conclusion. It summarizes the whole study, and points out the restrictions of it. Besides, the suggestions for further study are provided.