The 7th National Curriculum tried to set up the objects and contents aiming at more
consolidating the integration of social studies. Although the logics of the integrated social
studies are well packed with fine phrases, It is not proved as a real existence yet. Also it is
problematic in that the integrated social studies curriculum established a big object and the
pertinent contents after presenting large framework what is called the integrated social studies
without considering the characteristics of the integral three subjects of history, geography, and
civics. Therefore, it is necessary that the integration of social studies should be reinterpreted
and the objects and contents should be reorganized according to the charateristics of three
subjects.
The objects of the integrated social studies must be established quickly reflecting the change
of contemporary society. Also those should be connected with the objects of the integral three
subjects. The cultivation of desirable citizenship is now set up as the ultimate object of social
studies education in the 7th curriculum. It is, however, very abstracted description which can
not include all lower objects of three areas. Particularly, geography education sets up the
cultivation of geographical self as a major object. Geographical self means the humans as spatial
existence, which comparatively more focuses on personal object. Of course, it makes a
contribution on the cultivation of desirable citizenship, that is, social consciousness as a group
member, but which is regarded as less important than the formation of geographical self in
geography education. These two objects would not be able to separate, therefore should be
harmoniously reorganized.