Determining the tendencies of social studies pre-service teachers towards political science

The aim of this research is to determine the tendencies of pre-service teachers towards political science who study in the fourth grade in the department of primary school social studies teaching that has the vision to bring up the citizens who are politically participant in social life and aware of their rights and responsibilities.The political education that the students have had before university and have in university is very important for our democratic system to maintain. Social studies class is considered as a field where the students develop positive opinions towards political system and participatory skills that enable them to become active citizens. After family, social studies teachers are the most important resources that teach the students democratic attitudes and values. At this point the research is of vital importance since it seems to reveal how effective the prospective teachers are for our democratic system to maintain by demonstrating the political tendencies of the social studies pre-service teachers.Within the scope of the research ?the scale of determining the interests of the social studies pre-service teachers in political issues? was developed by the researcher in order to find out the tendencies of the primary school social studies pre-service teachers towards political science and it was applied to 832 students who study in the fourth grade in the departments of primary school social studies teaching of seven different universities that are located in seven different districts in 2010-2011 educational years. In conclusion; it was found out that the tendencies of the pre-service teachers towards political science are high, but it was determined that they aren?t so much interested in political issues in daily life.