Comparison of geography curricula of Turkey and Romania in terms of aims, content and methodology

The aim of this study is to compare geography curricula of Turkey and Romania in terms of aims, content and methodology. The research method used in the study is document analysis technique that is appropriate for content analysis. The curricula of both countries are obtained from formal institutions of respective countries and are compared with each other so that similarities and differences in historical context are tried to be established.Since Romania and Turkey have different national priorities, cultures, customs and history, it is natural to observe some disparities between the curricula of each country. Therefore, what is aimed is to provide readers with a perspective regarding the nature of geography curriculum in respect to aims, content and methodology in Romania and Turkey. This study will also provide readers with some insights of the place of geography curricula in the general education systems of respective countries.According to the findings that are based on document analysis and literature review, while changes carried out in Romanian geography curriculum in the past was influenced by ideological concerns, changes made in Turkish geography curriculum, particularly the ones after 1973, degrade the status of geography in respect to science and mathematics lessons. In this period geography also experienced degration in content level. Although pro-1994 era in Romania witnessed fundamental and important changes in Romanian geography curriculum, these changes did not create the expected outcomes as those times also witnessed the trivialisation of teaching profession in Romania. However, in Turkey, particularly in the years after 2000, also with the effect of Turkey?s candidacy to the EU, whole education system is reorganised around individualistic values leaving behind the statist values. Then, Ministry of Education in Turkey had a new curriculum approach which is student-centred and based on active learning and teaching. Along other curricula subjects, geography curriculum of Turkey is also changed in 2005. This curriculum is more organised and detailed than Romanian curriculum and it serves also as a guide to teachers that is not very evident in Romanian curriculum.Key words: Geography Curriculum, Turkey, Romania, comparative education.