The Effect of Social Studies Class on the Political Consciousness of the Youth : The Case of the Middle School Students in Seoul

Jung, Yu Cheol

This article aims at studying the effect of social studies on the political conscousness oh the youth, especially the middle school students. There are various mediums and organizations which form political socialization of the youth. But school would be representative organization of them. Because the youth spend most time in the school, the study examines political socialization of the youth through a comparison of social studies between the 1st and 3rd year in the middle school. The conclusions are as follows. First, teachers have to increase education about politics and election by improving a social textbook and provide various examples as well as basic concepts students to cope with a reality. Second, teachers have to apply various teaching method such as a group activity about social issues. Finally, teachers have to intensify the political education through various extracurricular activities. They will have to give a social studies easily and interestingly through various experience to form political socialization of the students.

Key words: political conscousness, social studies, political socialization, middle school student