Integrating Social Studies Curriculum with Character Education to Enhance Moral Values and Democratic Attitudes among Students

Abstract

This study explores the integration of Social Studies curriculum with character education as a strategy to enhance moral values and democratic attitudes among students. With the growing importance of fostering responsible and ethical citizens, this research focuses on the potential of combining academic content in Social Studies with intentional character education to promote values such as empathy, responsibility, respect, and democratic principles. A qualitative literature review method was employed to gather relevant academic and educational sources, analyzing how character education can be seamlessly incorporated into the Social Studies curriculum. The findings indicate that such integration can significantly improve students' moral development and their understanding of democratic processes, encouraging active participation in society. The study emphasizes the need for teachers to adopt an interdisciplinary approach, providing students with a holistic educational experience that prepares them not only academically but also as morally conscious and democratic individuals. This paper contributes to the growing body of knowledge on educational strategies aimed at developing both academic skills and ethical values in the classroom.