Samhällskunskapsläraren: Praktikern men framförallt taktikern

: En kvalitativ studie av samhällskunskapslärares förhållningssätt till kontroversiella frågor inom politik

Abstract

How do social science teachers handle controversial political issues in their teaching and how are those difficulties affecting their ways of teaching? What kind of role does the teacher adapt into while entering the classroom and what does teachers in general think of the fostering assignment that has been given to them? This study investigates what approach six social science teachers in the municipality of Helsingborg think of controversial policy issues in the classroom. The method of this study is based on a qualitative study where observations and interviews are the main sources to the following investigation in the problematic area. Several different components have been used to analyse the results of our collected empirical data. The conclusion is that teachers handle controversial political issues in their teaching situations in different ways. Difficulties mainly arises within situations where student are encouraged to unreservedly express themselves without violating anyone or when controversial issues are dealt in ways that students experiences as offensive. The survey contains examples of different roles and approaches and the effects after dealing with controversial issues. A conclusion of the survey is that there is no consensus on how the teacher should act. In assumption, the survey suggests, despite the fact that controversial political issues are often considered as a complex area in educational contexts, they are not to be avoided. This is because it is a contributing factor in the students developing process of becoming understanding and good citizens in our society.