Skip to content
1981
Volume 20, Issue 3
  • ISSN: 1751-1917
  • E-ISSN: 1751-1925

Abstract

Citizenship education is critical in the development of national identity and the spread of global democratic values, as viewed through various ideological lenses. This study looks at how sixteen citizenship education teachers in Türkiye interpret citizenship norms. Drawing on Weick’s sense-making theory, this study investigates the interaction of cognitive and contextual factors that influence teachers’ citizenship norms. The data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using conservative, liberal and critical perspectives on teachers’ citizenship norms. The study’s findings show that teachers’ understanding of citizenship is primarily influenced by conservative norms, which are shaped by individual and social factors, with a limited representation of critical perspectives. The study contributes significantly to a deeper understanding of the ideological limitations of citizenship education and its ability to facilitate the transition to a democratic conception of citizenship.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/ctl_00190_1
2026-02-28
2026-04-17

Metrics

Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Attride-Stirling, J. (2001), ‘Thematic networks: An analytic tool for qualitative research’, Qualitative Research, 1:3, pp. 385405, https://doi.org/10.1177/146879410100100307.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Banks, J. A. (ed.) (2004), Diversity and Citizenship Education: Global Perspectives, San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Banks, J. A. (2008), ‘Küresel Çağda Çeşitlilik, Grup Kimliği ve Vatandaşlık Eğitimi’, Eğitim Araştırmacısı, 37:3, pp. 12939, https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X08317501.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Banks, J. A. (2017), ‘Failed citizenship and transformative civic education’, Journal of Teacher Education, 46:7, pp. 36677, https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X17726741.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Biesta, G. (2016), ‘Giving teaching back to education: Responding to the disappearance of the teacher’, Pedagogy, Culture & Society, 6:2, pp. 3549, https://doi.org/10.29173/pandpr19860.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Biesta, G. and Lawy, R. (2006), ‘From teaching citizenship to learning democracy: Overcoming individualism in research, policy and practice’, Cambridge Journal of Education, 36:1, pp. 6379, https://doi.org/10.1080/03057640500490981.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Carr, P. (2006), ‘Democracy in the classroom’, Journal of Academic Change, 10:2, pp. 712.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Carretero, M., Haste, H. and Bermudez, A. (2016), ‘Civic education’, in L. Corno and E. M. Anderman (eds), Handbook of Educational Psychology, 3rd ed., New York: Routledge, pp. 295308.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Castles, S. (2004), ‘Migration, citizenship, and education’, in J. A. Banks (ed.), Diversity and Citizenship Education: Global Perspectives, San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, pp. 1748.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Castro, A. J. (2013), ‘What makes a citizen? Critical and multicultural citizenship and preservice teachers: Understanding of citizenship skills’, Theory and Research in Social Education, 41:2, pp. 21946, https://doi.org/10.1080/00933104.2013.783522.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Coburn, C. E. (2004), ‘Beyond decoupling: Rethinking the relationship between the institutional environment and the classroom’, Sociology of Education, 77:3, pp. 21144, https://doi.org/10.1177/003804070407700302.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Copeaux, E. (1998), Türk tarih tezinden Türk-İslam sentezine : tarih ders kitaplarında, 1931–1993 (trans. A. Berktay), İstanbul: Tarih Vakfı Yurt Yayınları.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Creswell, J. W. (2014), Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches, 4th ed., Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Dalton, R. J. (2008), The Good Citizen: How a Younger Generation Is Reshaping American Politics, Washington, DC: CQ Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Daniels, H. (2001), Vygotsky and Pedagogy, London: Routledge.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Dill, J. S. (2013), The Longings and Limits of Global Citizenship Education: The Moral Pedagogy of Schooling in a Cosmopolitan Age, New York: Routledge.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Doğu, B. and Kuş, Z. (2022), ‘Identity construction in social studies curriculums from 1968 to the present’, TAY Journal, 6:2, pp. 46293, https://doi.org/10.29329/tayjournal.2022.510.13.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. European Commission, EACEA and Eurydice (2017), Citizenship Education at School in Europe 2017: Eurydice Report, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/6b50c5b0-d651-11e7-a506-01aa75ed71a1/language-en. Accessed 6 January 2026.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. Evans, M. (2008), ‘Citizenship education, pedagogy, and social contexts’, in J. Arthur, I. Davies and C. Hahn (eds), Sage Handbook of Education for Citizenship and Democracy, London: Sage Publications, pp. 51932.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Festenstein, M. and Kenny, M. (2005), Political Ideologies: A Reader and Guide, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Freire, P. (1990), Pedagogy of the Oppressed, New York: Continuum.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Gilbertson, G. (2006), ‘Citizenship and migration in a globalized world’, Migration Policy Institute, 1 January, https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/citizenship-globalized-world. Accessed 13 January 2026.
  23. Goodman, J. (1992), Elementary Schooling for Critical Democracy, Albany, NY: SUNY Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Gürel, D. (2025), ‘Social studies lesson in Türkiye as a means of citizenship transfer: A perspective from the critical citizenship education approach’, Pegem Journal of Education and Instruction, 15:1, pp. 12942, https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.15.01.12.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. Harris, R. (2011), ‘Citizenship and history. Uncomfortable bedfellows’, in I. Davies (ed.), Debates in History Teaching, London: Routledge, pp. 18696.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Heater, D. (2004), A History of Education for Citizenship, London: Routledge.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Kelchtermans, G. (2009), ‘Who I am in how I teach is the message: Self-understanding, vulnerability and reflection’, Teachers and Teaching, 15:2, pp. 25772, https://doi.org/10.1080/13540600902875332.
    [Google Scholar]
  28. Kennedy, K. J. (2019), Civic and Citizenship Education in Volatile Times: Preparing Students for Citizenship in the 21st Century, Singapore: Springer.
    [Google Scholar]
  29. Keskin, Y. (2008), ‘Values education in social studies curriculum in Turkey: Historical development, investigation of the effectiveness of 1998 and 2004 programs’, doctoral thesis, Istanbul: Marmara University, Institute of Educational Sciences.
    [Google Scholar]
  30. Knight Abowitz, K. and Harnish, J. (2006), ‘Contemporary discourses of citizenship’, Review of Educational Research, 76:4, pp. 65390, https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543076004653.
    [Google Scholar]
  31. Knowles, R. T. (2018), ‘Ideology in the schools: Developing the teacher’s civic education ideology scale within the United States’, Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, 14:3, pp. 26078, https://doi.org/10.1177/1746197918800664.
    [Google Scholar]
  32. Knowles, R. and Castro, A. J. (2019), ‘The implications of ideology on teachers’ emphasized civic behavior in the classroom’, Teaching and Teacher Education, 77, pp. 22639, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2018.10.009.
    [Google Scholar]
  33. Kolnik, K. (2012), ‘Coming together: Geography and citizenship education for sustainable living’, Metodički obzori (Methodological Horizons), 7:3, pp. 1724, https://doi.org/10.32728/mo.07.3.2012.02.
    [Google Scholar]
  34. Kuş, Z. (2020), Citizenship Education in Turkey and the World, Ankara: Pegem Academy.
    [Google Scholar]
  35. Kuş, Z. (2022), ‘Sosyal bilgiler öğretim programlarında ideal vatandaş ve toplum’, in O. Bektaş and R. Turan (eds), Türkiye’de Sosyal Bilgiler Öğretim Programları, Ankara: Pegem Yayıncılık, pp. 477508.
    [Google Scholar]
  36. Kuş, Z. and Mert, H. (2021), ‘Geography and identity: An analysis of geography curricula in Turkey’, Romanian Review of Geographical Education, 10:2, pp. 6787, https://doi.org/10.23741/RRGE220214.
    [Google Scholar]
  37. Kuş, Z. and Mert, H. (2023), ‘Citizenship education through high school history in Turkey’, Citizenship, Social and Economics Education, 22:2, pp. 8599, https://doi.org/10.1177/14788047231190385.
    [Google Scholar]
  38. Kvale, S. and Brinkmann, S. (2009), Interviews: Learning the Craft of the Qualitative Research Interview, London: Sage.
    [Google Scholar]
  39. Kymlicka, W. (1995), Multicultural Citizenship: A Liberal Theory of Minority Rights, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  40. Kymlicka, W. (2007), ‘Multicultural journeys’, Ethnopolitics, 6:4, pp. 58597, https://doi.org/10.1080/17449050701659789.
    [Google Scholar]
  41. Leenders, H. and Veugelers, W. (2006), ‘Different perspectives on values and citizenship education’, Curriculum and Teaching, 21:2, pp. 520, https://doi.org/10.7459/ct/21.2.02.
    [Google Scholar]
  42. Leenders, H., Veugelers, W. and De Kat, E. (2008), ‘Teachers’ views on citizenship education in secondary education in the Netherlands’, Cambridge Journal of Education, 38:2, pp. 15570, https://doi.org/10.1080/03057640802063106.
    [Google Scholar]
  43. Low-Beer, A. (2003), ‘School history, national history and the issue of national identity’, International Journal of Historical Teaching, Learning and Research, 3:1, pp. 914, https://doi.org/10.18546/herj.03.1.02.
    [Google Scholar]
  44. Matless, D. (1996), ‘Visual culture and geographical citizenship: England in the 1940s’, Journal of Historical Geography, 22:4, pp. 42439, https://doi.org/10.1006/jhge.1996.0029.
    [Google Scholar]
  45. McLaughlin, T. H. (2000), ‘Citizenship education in England: The Crick Report and beyond’, Journal of Philosophy of Education, 34:4, pp. 54170, https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9752.00194.
    [Google Scholar]
  46. Mumyakmaz, H. G. (2013), Citizenship from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic: Innocence, Loyalty, Equality, Turkishness and Turkish Citizenship, Istanbul: IQ Culture and Art.
    [Google Scholar]
  47. Myers, J. P. and Rivero, K. (2019), ‘Preparing globally competent preservice teachers: The development of content knowledge, disciplinary skills, and instructional design’, Teaching and Teacher Education, 77, pp. 21425, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2018.10.008.
    [Google Scholar]
  48. Nussbaum, E. M. (2008), ‘Collaborative discourse, argumentation and learning: Preface and literature review’, Contemporary Educational Psychology, 33:3, pp. 34559, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2008.06.001.
    [Google Scholar]
  49. Osler, A. (2011), ‘Teachers’ interpretations of citizenship education: National identity, cosmopolitan ideals, and political realities’, Journal of Curriculum Studies, 43:1, pp. 124, https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2010.503245.
    [Google Scholar]
  50. Osler, A. and Starkey, H. (2018), ‘Extending the theory and practice of education for cosmopolitan citizenship’, Educational Review, 70:1, pp. 3140, https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2018.1388616.
    [Google Scholar]
  51. Ozan, H. and Kuş, Z. (2021), ‘Identity construction in citizenship education programs from the constitutional monarchy to the republic’, Journal of Education and Social Research, 8:2, pp. 23757, https://doi.org/10.51725/etad.954628.
    [Google Scholar]
  52. Patterson, N., Doppen, F. and Misco, T. (2012), ‘Beyond personally responsible: A study of teacher conceptualizations of citizenship education’, Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, 7:2, pp. 191206, https://doi.org/10.1177/1746197912440856.
    [Google Scholar]
  53. Patton, M. Q. (2002), ‘Two decades of developments in qualitative inquiry: A personal, experiential perspective’, Qualitative Social Work, 1:3, pp. 26183, https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325002001003636.
    [Google Scholar]
  54. Perez-Manjarrez, E. and Carretero, M. (2021), ‘Key features of citizenship and its intersections with history education’, Bloomsbury History: Theory and Method, https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350970809.006.
  55. Phillips, R. (2003), Past Forward: History, Citizenship and Identity, London: Historical Association.
    [Google Scholar]
  56. Reichert, F. and Torney-Purta, J. (2019), ‘A cross-national comparison of teachers’ beliefs about the aims of civic education in 12 countries: A person-centered analysis’, Teaching and Teacher Education, 77:3, pp. 11225, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2018.09.005.
    [Google Scholar]
  57. Rogers, J. and Westheimer, J. (2017), ‘Teaching about economic inequality in a diverse democracy: Politics, ideology, and difference’, Political Science and Politics, 50:4, pp. 104955, https://doi.org/10.1017/s1049096517001287.
    [Google Scholar]
  58. Sampermans, D., Reichert, F. and Claes, E. (2021), ‘Teachers’ concepts of good citizenship and associations with their teaching styles’, Cambridge Journal of Education, 51:4, pp. 43350, https://doi.org/10.1080/0305764x.2020.1861219.
    [Google Scholar]
  59. Schaepmeester, L., Braak, J. and Aesaert, K. (2021), ‘Teach what you preach? The relationship between teachers’ citizenship beliefs and citizenship education in the classroom’, The Journal of Social Studies Research, 46:4, pp. 36378.
    [Google Scholar]
  60. Schwandt, T. A. (1994), ‘Constructivist, interpretivist approaches to human inquiry’, in N. K. Denzin and Y. S. Lincoln (eds), Handbook of Qualitative Research, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, pp. 11837.
    [Google Scholar]
  61. Şen, A. (2019), ‘Changes and continuities in citizenship education: What kind of citizenship education does the 2018 social studies program of study envisage?’, Journal of Qualitative Research in Education, 7:1, pp. 128, https://doi.org/10.14689/issn.2148-2624.1.7c1s.1m.
    [Google Scholar]
  62. Şen, K. (2023), ‘Citizenship education under authoritarian Islamic nationalism: An exploration of teachers’ conceptions of citizenship in Turkey’, Journal of Curriculum Studies, 55:2, pp. 17186, https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2023.2185106.
    [Google Scholar]
  63. Spillane, J. P., Reiser, B. J. and Reimer, T. (2002), ‘Policy implementation and cognition: Reframing and refocusing implementation research’, Review of Educational Research, 72:3, pp. 387431, https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543072003387.
    [Google Scholar]
  64. Standish, A. (2008), ‘Changing perspectives in high school world geography: 1950–2005’, Journal of Geography, 107:4&5, pp. 12130, https://doi.org/10.1080/00221340802537038.
    [Google Scholar]
  65. Thornberg, R. and Oğuz, E. (2016), ‘Moral and citizenship educational goals in values education: A cross-cultural study of Swedish and Turkish student teachers’ preferences’, Teaching and Teacher Education, 55, pp. 11021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2016.01.002.
    [Google Scholar]
  66. UNESCO (2015), SDG4-Education 2030, Incheon Declaration (ID) and Framework for Action: For the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 4: Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All, ED-2016/WS/28, Paris: UNESCO, https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000245656. Accessed 13 January 2026.
  67. United Nations (2015), Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, A/RES/70/1, New York: United Nations, https://sdgs.un.org/publications/transforming-our-world-2030-agenda-sustainable-development-17981. Accessed 13 January 2026.
    [Google Scholar]
  68. Waghid, Y. (2002), Democratic Education: Policy and Praxis, Matieland: Stellenbosch University Printers.
    [Google Scholar]
  69. Waghid, Y. (2008), ‘Democratic citizenship education and friendship revisited: In defence of democratic justice’, Studies in Philosophy and Education, 27:2&3, pp. 197206, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-007-9090-y.
    [Google Scholar]
  70. Waghid, Y. (2009), ‘Patriotism and democratic citizenship education in South Africa: On the (im)possibility of reconciliation and nation building’, Educational Philosophy and Theory, 41:4, pp. 399409, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-5812.2008.00436.x.
    [Google Scholar]
  71. Weick, K. (1995), Sense-Making in Organizations, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
    [Google Scholar]
  72. Westheimer, J. (2015), What Kind of Citizen? Educating Our Children for the Common Good, New York: Teachers College Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  73. Westheimer, J. and Kahne, J. (2004), ‘What kind of citizen? The politics of educating for democracy’, American Educational Research Journal, 41:2, pp. 23769, https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312041002237.
    [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1386/ctl_00190_1
Loading
/content/journals/10.1386/ctl_00190_1
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): citizenship; conservative; critical; liberal; sense-making; teachers
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test