What are regulations on integrated history-geography topics of the lower secondary school level in Vietnam?

What are regulations on integrated history-geography topics of the lower secondary school level in Vietnam?

Based on the General Education Program for History and Geography (lower secondary school level) issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the teaching of integrated history-geography topics is guided as follows:

(1) Implement topics associated with each subject, with different levels of historical and geographical knowledge

In the History and Geography Program, the Geography subject chooses the spatial approach, so the program is designed according to a logic of general - world - Vietnam, and finally local geography.

History, on the other hand, adopts a historical progression approach, so the program is designed according to the logic of primitive - ancient - medieval - modern.

This method leverages the strengths of each subject, and depending on the design of each subject, a topic can be taught at an appropriate time for each subject.

(2) Implement integrated history-geography topics

Building common, integrated history-geography topics is based on closely related and intersecting contents.

In the History and Geography program, the selected topics include: The Great Geographical Discoveries; Urbanization: History and Present; Civilization of the Red River Delta and the Mekong River Delta; Protecting Vietnam's Sovereignty, Rights, and Legitimate Interests in the South China Sea.

Teaching integrated history-geography topics creates a subject space where students can apply basic historical and geographical concepts and delve further into historical and geographical materials under the teacher's guidance, fostering historical and geographical thinking.

- Topic: The Great Geographical Discoveries: The great geographical discoveries have immense significance in the history of global trade, prominently featuring Christopher Columbus's exploration of America (1492-1502) and Ferdinand Magellan's circumnavigation of the Earth (1519-1522).

These great geographical discoveries began the period of colonialization of new lands, marking a new development phase of the capitalist production forces, and the early period of globalization.

For geography, thanks to subsequent geographical discoveries (e.g., Charles Darwin's voyage around the world (1831-1836) and the theory of evolution of species), geography entered a period of massive data accumulation about the Earth, developing modern geography and other Earth sciences.

The great geographical discoveries are covered in both the Geography and History subjects and are organized into a common topic in grade 7.

- Topic: Urbanization: History and Present. This topic is partially taught in grade 7 and primarily in grade 9.

This topic is addressed in various historical stages, from ancient, medieval to modern times.

In grade 7, students learn about ancient cities and civilizations; medieval European cities and merchants (corresponding to historical periods); urbanization (when studying the geography of continents); and some urbanization trends worldwide (Europe, Asia, America).

In grade 9, students delve deeper into global urbanization. Students understand that modern cities are centers of power and development resources; urbanization creates powerful development dynamics, but inappropriate urbanization can exacerbate regional development inequalities;

Also, promoting economic restructuring, industrialization, and modernization has stimulated urbanization in Vietnam.

- Topic: Civilization of the Red River Delta and the Mekong River Delta: This topic is taught in grades 8 and 9. It has more historical and cultural content but integrates geographical knowledge.

In grade 8, students explore the formation and development of the delta, water politics of major rivers, the process of human reclamation, adaptation to the natural environment, forming distinctive cultures in the Red River Delta and the Mekong River Delta.

In grade 9, students understand why in the Red River Delta, ancestors chose dyke construction and water management combined with irrigation (leading water into fields), while in the Mekong River Delta, they chose to live with floods, among other distinctions of the two delta civilizations.

Students have the opportunity to explore the impact of climate change on the two deltas, especially in the Mekong River Delta.

- Topic: Protecting Vietnam's Sovereignty, Rights, and Legitimate Interests in the South China Sea: This topic is partially designed for grade 8 and mainly for grade 9. The contents in this topic intertwine History and Geography.

In grade 8, students study the Nguyễn Lords and Kings establishing sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly Islands, evidence of this process, affirming that "The Sea is the Vietnamese nation's survival space."

In grade 9, students continue to study the process of exercising sovereignty over Vietnam's seas and islands in modern times.

From a geographical perspective, students grasp basic concepts of sea areas and the continental shelf over which Vietnam asserts sovereignty, sovereign rights, and exclusive economic zones per the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Vietnam's Maritime Law;

In addition, they learn the strategic role of our island system in affirming sovereignty and sovereign rights over seas and continental shelves; the struggle to protect sovereignty, rights, and legitimate interests of Vietnam in the South China Sea; the role of the maritime economy in Vietnam's modern economy and asserting maritime sovereignty.

What are regulations on integrated history-geography topics of the lower secondary school level in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

What are the minimum teaching aids for history and geography at lower secondary school level in Vietnam?

Based on Section 8 of the General Education Program for History and Geography (lower secondary school level) issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the minimum teaching aids for History and Geography include the following types:

- Wall maps (of the world, regions, Vietnam) appropriate for each grade level's content and student's understanding;

- Atlases of general natural geography, atlases of continents, and Vietnam's geography atlases, historical map sets;

- Physical models, historical paintings, photographs, audio recordings of historical figures, etc.;

- Natural specimens;

- Printed images, digital static and dynamic images, diagrams, schematics, educational video clips fitting each topic's content;

- Study sheets with source materials; map, schematic, chart, diagram exercises;

- Common tools and equipment for natural observation (compass, thermometer, hygrometer, barometer);

- Various practical and field tools;

- Digital libraries containing teaching materials for History and Geography;

- Teaching software.

In well-equipped localities, subject-specific rooms should be organized.

The main purpose of using teaching aids is to provide facilities and technical means to organize students' active and creative learning and independent exploration of historical and geographical knowledge.

What is the program duration for history and geography at the lower secondary school level in Vietnam?

Based on Section 8 of the General Education Program for History and Geography (lower secondary school level) issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the implementation duration for History and Geography at the lower secondary school level is 105 periods/grade/year.

The percentage of periods dedicated to each content stream is as follows: