Sustainable development in the curriculum of geography course

Abstract

    It is most commonly referred that ‘sustainability is to meet possibility of future generations needs without depriving them to meet their needs’. Sustainability is based on three principles such as economical, social and environmental sustainability. It has been declared as the Education Decade of United Nations for Sustainable Development between the years 2005-2014. The main aim is to create learning opportunities enabling to form new lifestyles, values and attitudes for an economical, social as well as environmental sustainable future. Thus, individuals’ awareness are raised and created to have more sensitive perspective. In this context, one of the training programs is Curriculum of Geography Course which has been reflected by sustainable development. In this research, objectives were given place related to sustainable development in Curriculum of Geography Course; the objectives associated with learning areas, activities, skills, values and measurement and evaluation techniques and the percentage of distributions are investigated. Document analysis, one of qualitative research methods, is used in the research. In the study, it is based on current Curriculum of Geography Course. The mentioned items in the purpose are examined by the researcher and are illustrated in detail in terms of reliability. As a result of the study, the objectives of curriculum of Geography course related to sustainable development are stated in each grade level. Especially in 11 and 12 grades intensity of the objectives are shown. The learning area, ‘Environment and Society”, is mentioned as having forefront position when looking distribution of the objectives. As a result, it has been reached an idea that Curriculum of Geography Course aims to create awareness towards to sustainable development. There has been made some suggestions based on the results of research to create awareness and raise conscious citizens of the world.