The European Union and the Modernization of the Turkish Education ...

1.2.2. Research Considerations and Issues

To further refine the previously listed issues, this study considers the historical framework that is the foundation for the current situation, especially the relationship between Turkey and the EU. Considered as well are Turkey’s efforts toward the modernization of education, the rationale for such initiatives, and their role as creating complicating factors for both national education reform and, simultaneously, EU acceptance of Turkey as a nation and in particular, its history/social studies curriculum.

The complexity of integrating not only one nation with another is significantly difficult in itself. The challenge of integrating culturally distinct national entities into a functioning, peaceful community of states increases the difficulty even more significantly. Therefore, this study explores the conflicting imperatives and the efforts to establish commonality. In this area, the influence of history/social studies education becomes the focus, as it represents the vanguard for establishing permanently altered mindsets for the ultimate good of both Turkey and the European Union.

Finally, of ultimate importance to this study is the status of evolutionary change in Turkish history/social studies education. Based upon the assumption that EU membership for Turkey is a positive step toward avoiding marginalization in the increasing integration of nations (a process motivated by globalization), an evaluation of the current status and of the necessary progression of change is not only logical, but also critical for this study’s value.

1.3. Research Construct

While this introductory chapter uses broad strokes to delineate the limits of this study, subsequent chapters establish the foundations for analysis and conclusions. Chapter 2 is devoted to the historical framework that has resulted in the current situation both for Turkey and the European Union in terms of the nationalism of the latter and the standards for acceptance into the community by the former. The steps forward; the economic, cultural, and political imperatives; and the regressions caused by changing global priorities are all important for understanding the challenges surmounted and the obstacles envisioned.