Examining the place of geography in the American social studies curriculum and the efforts toward an effective teacher education in K-12 geography.

Abstract

This paper primarily focuses on locating geography education in the American secondary
\nsocial studies curriculum, and then examines the American teacher education in geography. Therefore,
\nthe paper first defines the common ground between social studies and geography, followed by a
\ndiscussion regarding how geography as a school subject fits in to the social studies curriculum. It next
\nanalyzes the American experience in preparing pre- and in-service geography and/or social studies
\nteachers as there have been quite efforts to that end due to the widespread “geographic illiteracy” in the
\nAmerican schools. As a result, the current paper attempts to provide the interested audience with a
\ngeneral perspective concerning the place of geography education in the American schools, and suggests a
\ncomprehensive teacher education model based on the related literature investigated.