Assignment 4 2026
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Due Date: 31 August 2026
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, QUESTION 1
1.1.1 The nature and role of the concept of curriculum in Social Sciences
The concept of curriculum in Social Sciences is broader than just a list of topics. It
includes all the knowledge, skills, values and experiences that learners gain through
studying subjects such as History and Geography. It guides what is taught, how it is
taught and how learning is assessed in the classroom. The curriculum therefore acts
as a plan, but it also changes when it is put into practice by teachers and
experienced by learners in different ways (TMN3706 Study Guide, 2020).
In Social Sciences, the curriculum plays an important role in helping learners
understand both their own environment and the wider world. It encourages learners
to ask questions, think critically and make sense of social issues. It also helps
learners develop awareness of the past, present and future. This supports the
development of informed and responsible citizens who can participate in society in a
meaningful way (DBE, 2011; TMN3706 Study Guide, 2020).
The curriculum can be understood in different ways. It can be seen as a product,
which refers to official documents such as CAPS that outline what must be taught. It
can also be seen as practice, which refers to what teachers actually do in the
classroom. Another view is the curriculum as experienced, which focuses on what
learners take away from their learning. There is also the hidden curriculum, which
includes lessons that are not planned but still influence learners, such as attitudes
and values (Mays, 2017).
In Social Sciences, the curriculum also reflects social and political choices. What is
included or excluded shows what knowledge is valued in society. This means the
curriculum is not fixed, but changes over time depending on social needs and power
relations (Bernstein, 1977). As a result, the Social Sciences curriculum plays a key
role in shaping how learners understand society and their place in it.
1.1.2 How and why does the curriculum change in Social Sciences
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