Curriculum theorists in the early republic period of Turkey

Abstract

This chapter of the study analyzes ideas and influences of important curriculum theorists on education in the Republic period. Ziya Gökalp, who constituted the philosophy of education in the Republic period, can be regarded as one of the most influential theorists of that period. As a sociologist who was influenced by Emile Durkheim, Gökalp had deeply influenced curriculum theory in the Republic period through his concept of national education. Another significant curriculum theorist was İsmail Hakkı Baltacıoğlu. With his ideas on education based on the philosophical ideas of Henri Bergson and Emile Durkheim, Baltacıoğlu considered that education was the master key for the reconstruction of a society. Reminding of George S. Counts due to the practices he put forward, Baltacıoğlu was a significant theorist based on his pedagogical approach in the field. Halil Fikret Kanad, on the other hand, was the first doctor of pedagogy. Conferred a doctoral degree by Leipzig University in 1918 upon his thesis on Pestalozzi, Kanad played a significant role in the development of a pedagogical theory based on German influences in Turkey. Tonguç, an influential theorist and practitioner, adopted a polytechnic approach to curriculum theory and had the opportunity to practice his approach in training schools for prospective teachers to serve in village schools. This chapter, therefore, compares the ideas and approaches of significant curriculum theorists in Turkey to other (American, German, and Russian) educators contemporary to that period and also contributes to the internationalization of curriculum studies.