Pre-service social studies teachers' views on the usage of rights related to civic participation

The rights that guarantee people?s civic participation constitute an important part of human rights. These should be considered as rights based on legal constitutions, as well as involving people in decision making processes, counselling and becoming active citizens in the community. In this study, the determination of pre-service social studies teachers' views on the usage of the rights related to civic participation was aimed. Hence, a questionnaire was designed taking domain and assessment-evaluation experts' opinions. In addition, a pilot application of questionnaire was conducted with 11 pre- service social studies teachers. The questionnaire was applied at Abant Izzet Baysal University Faculty of Education Social Studies Education Program's fourth grade students (80 pre-service social studies teachers) in the autumn of the academic year 2011/2012.As a descriptive research, a screening model was carried out and content analysis methods were conducted to analyse data. Essentially, two methods were employed during the analysis of data for validity and reliability. Firstly, the researcher analysed 10 questionnaires randomly selected with a domain expert to ensure consistency. Through this method, coherence of coding was ensured. Secondly, during the analyses of data obtained from the open-ended questions of these 10 questionnaires, face-to-face interviews were carried out with concerned participants. The participants checked the codes obtained from their questionnaires and their opinions were taken about their responses to the questionnaire items as to whether the codes correctly reflected their views or not. As a result of the participants? opinions, it was observed that the codes specified the questioner participants' views.While observing the findings of this study, 88% of participants accepted the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as rights guaranteeing civic participation of people. 82% of them accepted the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association as the rights that guarantee civic participation of people. 82% of participants also stated the right to participate freely in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy arts and to share scientific advancement and its benefits as the rights that guarantee civic participation of people. Besides, 71% of participants stated that the right to elect and be elected were rights that guaranteed civic participation of people. Additionally, in parallel to literature, it was found that participants used their rights mostly in issues about political (e.g. election, political parties). Furthermore, 76% of participants used voting as a form of civic participation. Finally, most of the participants stated socio-economic and socio-cultural levels reflecting low-income and the complexity of knowledge about rights guaranteeing civic participation of people as an obstacle on their civic participation.In light of these research findings and literature reviews, it can be said that only attending to course modules is not enough to become a qualified teacher. Hence, university tutors should emphasis the importance of participation through other activities, such as social, political, cultural, academic and artistic events. For this purpose, entry fees matching students? low incomes should be deployed for university activities. Besides, the contents for the modules entitled Human Rights and Democracy, Citizenship, Basic Law could be improved along with the contents of conventions that are the legal basis of the rights which guarantee civic participation of people. In addition, the applications of these rights in real life could be generated and offer new examples to students. In these modules, politics, education, environment, culture and arts-related Non-Governmental Organizations could be introduced, and their impact on people?s civic participation should be promoted to students. Finally, seminars carried out by experts could eliminate any further obstacle students may have regarding their civic participation.Keywords: Pre-service Social Studies Teacher, Human Rights, Participation Rights, Civic Participation, Forms of Civic Participation, Obstacles for the Civic Participation.