Social Studies Curriculum Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Social Studies Curriculum - Research Paper Example A student at a lower level of school might not be able to understand these concepts, and on this basis, these children might be taught on the existence of various cultural groups, and where they are found. To effectively understand culture, a social science curriculum must also have the elements of continuity, change and time (Au, 2012). Culture changes over time, and it is not mandatory for a group to practice one tradition for eternity. This is because globalization and modernity plays a role in eroding some cultures, in exchange of a superior culture. For example, some people cannot speak their ethnic languages, but they can speak English in a very fluent manner. This is because English is a dominant language in the current century, thanks to globalization (Basit, 2012). Another important element in a social science curriculum is the existence of the thematic connotation of people, place and environment. It is impossible to learn about the culture of an individual, without knowing the place where these people come from, and their environments/surroundings. For instance, if we want to know about the cultural practices of the Latino Americans, we have to first identify where these people come from. The Latinos came from North America. After identifying this fact, that is when an individual can effectively learn on their cultural practices, and what shapes them. A social science curriculum must also explain the thematic connotations of governance, authority and power (Basit, 2012). In order to understand this element of governance, authority and power, students have to understand the different cultural values and its elements. This is because it is these cultural values that shape the system of governance within a state/ community. Take for example a society that believes in democracy, their system of governance will reflect democratic tendencies. It is also impossible to understand these thematic connotations of governance, authority and power, without underst anding how the various groups, individuals and institutions interact with each other within a community. On this basis therefore, a good social science curriculum must have an element of groups, individuals and institutions (Au, 2012). It is the various institutions within a country that shapes the governance structure of the same country. For example, a country with a strong judiciary will ensure that the leaders of the nation follow the law, without which there will be consequences. This concept therefore promotes the rule of the law. Implications of constructivist theory: Constructivism is a theory is a theory that denotes knowledge is a creation of people, and it is influenced by their cultural believes, and values. According to this theory, knowledge is constructed individually and bases itself on the student’s intellectual development as they experience reality that occurs during the process of social and physical activity. On this basis, constructivism theory can be us ed in the design and planning of a curriculum for the study of social sciences (DeVries and Zan, 2012). The use of constructivism theory, in the development of a social studies curriculum will center on the following four tenets. The first tenet is that the mind of an individual has the capability of representing issues through symbols. Language is an important symbol recognized by the mind, and it is an important element that contributes to the student’

Why are International Boundaries so Frequently the Source of Conflict Essay

Why are International Boundaries so Frequently the Source of Conflict between States - Essay Example Boundaries define a geographical or a political entity or a legal jurisdiction that is entitled to a nation and in this regard a government, state or any other administrative divisions. Borders can be defined as a buffered zone that separates between two or more geographical regions. Some of the borders are fully or are partially controlled and crossing from one point to another can be legal or illegal. Therefore boarders can be termed as anything the separates between two geographical entities which may be defined by a political entity or which can be defined by any other term that can distinguish between two regions. International boundaries are therefore areas that separate two or more nations and defined that legal jurisdiction of any state or any government. (Glassier, 1999) Unlike in the modern times when we are having some more defined border regions, borders in the past were not clearly marked or clearly defined and were just placed as neutral zones which were known as marchlands. Marchlands were, therefore, natural zones which were considered to be under no authority of any other legal entity but were sometimes placed under the authority of the international community. For example, the border conflict between Saudi Arabians border with Kuwait and Iraq was set up as a buffer zone or no man zone and placed at the and of the international community but they have recently been abolished and clear partitions created. Therefore there has been a trend in which the marchlands have been replaced by clearly defined and demarcated borders although there are still some marchlands especially in the long-standing border conflicts like between Ethiopia and Eritrea. (Taylor, 1995) Therefore as countries take a legal stance to protect their borders, there are some restrictions that are placed on the border for those who want to come in and out of the border geography. Therefore there is some border control that is given to each legal entity and which is extended to access for the region ethics through land, air or through seaports. Under the internals law, every country is given the right to put in place its own border definition laws that restrict or puts in place the conditions that have to be met by a person or animal that is entering or leaving that boundary region. In most practice password and visas are used as entry documents to border regions. These are legally abiding documents that are used to restrict the entry of people or animals in or out of these regions. This is meant to regulate the flow of immigration in a region especially when it comes to economic aspects of this immigration. The issue of immigration has apparently been one of the major caus es of conflict between nations. (Vinokurov, 2005) Therefore we can say that boundaries are persistent elements that define political geography in the world. It is very well reflected in the political, economic and social makeup of different legal entities in the world which define nations and states. A national boundary is one of the key areas that are given a lot of security by the armed forces of any nation or state and the reason behind the formation of the modern military might and personnel is to protect the boundaries of these regions. (Minghi, 2001) Â