'People Deserve to Be Treated Like Humans': Preservice Elementary Teachers' Conceptions of Social Issues and Social Action

This qualitative study explored how a group of preservice elementary teachers conceptualized social issues and social action and how their conceptions were reflected in their ideas for teaching about social issues and action. This study utilized individual and focus group interviews, class observations, and class artifacts as data points. Using a constructivist grounded theory and thematic analysis approach, the analysis process of this data resulted in several findings worth noting. For one, participants conceptualized social issues as subjective, in that issues revolve around individual identity and experiences and the controversy or debate that surrounds them. They perceive social issues as involving individual or cultural barriers to people's lives and fail to see how institutional barriers are also at work. They conceptualize social action as an individual endeavor, and noted actions such as volunteering or simply being aware of issues as means of action. Their ideas for teaching about social issues and action reflected their conceptions as they expressed the goals being to help students become aware of issues and understand others' lives as the goals of teaching about social issues and action. The findings from this study point to the importance of examining social issues and forms of social action within teacher preparation courses, with emphasis needed on how institutional barriers play a role in social issues and how forms of social action can address such barriers. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]