THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE STATE SCHOOLS CURRICULUM IN THE 1970S AND UNDERGRADUATE TEACHERS DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This work looks at how the implementation of Social Studies in public elementary and high schools occurred in the 1970s and verify the academic formation of the educators who were responsible for that subject at that time. The sources for this research were reports from observation of teaching who attended teaching practice for the undergraduation course in History at University of São Paulo. This study found that the majority of those teachers that taught classes in Social Studies in the first years of its implementation, majored in teaching courses of History (to teach elementary school and high school students). After the creation of the undergraduation course in Social Studies (to teach just elementary school students) the situation altered, because the professional graduated in this field after two years studying, could teach many subjects. The History classes were reduced after the implementation of educational reforms, which promoted the teaching of Social Studies. During those years, some educators who majored in History were able to teach other subjects, which became complementary, and eventually these professionals could organize the curriculum according to their pedagogical practice.