Theachers views on the role of historical figures in social studies course

Historical figures,which have an important place in growing up a well-beheaved citizen,bringing the awareness of history,and with the development of national sense of self,are the figures that have proven themselves in one or more areas,and have been accepted by the society,which transcends its boundaries in time and space.It's impossible to isolate historical figures from our lives.Throughout history,people have took advantage of historical figures to create kind of person that they need.Especially,significance of historical figures about the distinction between good and bad,stereotyped values,and transfer of cultural inheritance is incontrovertible. In this study,it was aimed to determine the theachers views on the role of historical figures in social studies course.The survey is qualitative kind and phenomenological pattern.In this context,15 social studies teachers who have been still actively working in public schools in the city center of Elazığ,were selected.Purposeful sampling method was used in accordance with the natüre of qualitative research as a working group.For this purpose,I had an interview with participants.During the research,semi-structured substances which had been developed previously was directed to participants.Also the distribution of the subjects and historical figures were analyzed bu analyzing in the 5th,6th and 7th grade textbooks.According to the obtained results,it was concluded that the hardest(biggest) obstacle in terms of teaching historical figures to students is that the lesson hours are less than the curriculum.While teaching historical figures,it was determined that the teacher factor is as important as the curriculum.Because,teachers must teach emotions of patriotism,nationalism and altrusim as using their own knowledges and skills.It has been observed that teachers' talking about an author,a sicentist,a thinker in the lessons is effective in recognizing these valuable personalities.When historical figures' opinions about bringing somebody in patriotism,justice,national identity and ethical values was evaluated,it was determined that historical figures are effective to bringing students in these values but transferring of these notions is difficult because of both abstract and young students.While the patriotism of personalities such as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk,Mehmet The Conqueror,Metehan and Seyit Corporal were emphasized the most,Ottoman Empire and the justice of Ottoman Empire came to the justice.Accordingly,Historical figures such as Mehmet The Conqueror,Suleiman The Magnificent and Osman Bey were included.Also,the names of Ömer The Excellency and Ali The Excellency were identified to be uttered.It was determined that in order for students to acquire their citizenship skills(joining the arym,tolling,voting etc.) awareness of responsibility should develop fisrtly and at this point, it will be effective to give examples to students who have deficiency from the lives of historical figures.While emphasized the art and architectural fields mostly in aesthetic understanding,Sinan The Architect was the most talked.In general,the fact that students' acception of historical figures as role models,has proven that television series such as Ertuğrul The Resurrection have a guiding effect in this sense.Altough it is seen that teachers generally make positive expressions on the word of society in terms of the effect of knowing historical figures on shaping the society,it is determined that they are expressed as wishes in general.In the examination of the textbooks made in line with the opinions obtained,generally the historical figures were reinforced with the unit,subject,theme and achievement desired in the books.It was determined that the conventional/received wisdom about historical figures were mentioned mostly but their social lifes and life stories weren't mentioned. Keywords: Social Studies Lesson, History, Historical Figure.