What is the nature of the Socialist State? What are characteristics of the History subject in the upper secondary curriculum in Vietnam?

What is the nature of the Socialist State? 

Compared to other types of states in history, the socialist state is a new type of state with a nature distinct from that of other historical types. To be specific:

Politically:

- The socialist state embodies the nature of the working class, a class whose interests align with the common interests of the laboring masses.

- In a socialist society, the proletariat has a fundamentally different nature in its domination compared to the exploitation of previous ruling classes. The exploitation by ruling classes was the dominance of a minority over all classes and groups of laborers in society to protect and maintain their status.

- However, the political domination of the proletariat is the rule of the majority over the minority exploiting classes in order to liberate itself and all other laboring classes in society. Therefore, the socialist state represents the common will of the laboring people.

Economically:

- The nature of the socialist state is determined by the socialist economic foundation, which is social ownership over the main means of production. Therefore, exploitative production relations (private ownership of the means of production) no longer exist.

- Taking care of the interests of the vast majority of laboring people becomes the foremost goal of the socialist state.

Culturally and Socially:

The socialist state is built on the spiritual foundation of the Marxist-Leninist theory and the progressive cultural values of humanity, while also possessing distinct national characteristics. The division among classes and groups is gradually narrowed, with classes and groups enjoying equal access to resources and opportunities for development.

What is the nature of the Socialist State? What are characteristics of the History subject in the upper secondary curriculum in Vietnam?​ (Image from the Internet)

What are characteristics of the History subject in the upper secondary curriculum in Vietnam?

Based on the Upper Secondary Education Program for the History subject issued alongside Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the characteristics of the History subject in the upper secondary school education program are as follows:

- History is part of the Social Sciences group, selected according to vocational orientation at the upper secondary level.

- The History subject serves the mission of helping students develop historical competence, a component of scientific competence while contributing to the formation and development of key qualities and general competencies identified in the overall program.

- The History subject plays a leading role in fostering patriotism, national pride, historical traditions, and cultural heritage, helping students understand and apply historical lessons to solve real-life problems, broaden their perspectives, and reinforce human values, community spirit, tolerance, and compassion; contributing to the formation and development of the qualities of Vietnamese citizens and global citizens in the context of contemporary development.

- The History subject develops students' historical thinking, systematic thinking, critical thinking, skills in exploiting and utilizing historical sources, understanding and presenting history in chronological and synchronic logic, connecting the past with the present.

- The History subject helps students recognize the scientific and practical value of history in modern social life, understand and cherish national and global history and culture; guiding students towards career choices such as social sciences and humanities research, diplomacy, management, tourism activities, cultural industries, communication and information,...

- The History curriculum systematizes and consolidates foundational historical knowledge during the basic education phase, while enabling students to delve deeper into core historical knowledge through various themes and topics about world history, Southeast Asian history, and Vietnamese history. The teaching method for the History subject is based on fundamental principles of historiography and modern education methods.

What are the teaching equipment requirements for the History subject at the upper secondary level in Vietnam?

Pursuant to the Upper Secondary Education Program for the History subject issued alongside Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the requirements for teaching equipment for the History subject include:

- The use of teaching equipment is one of the decisive conditions for the successful innovation of teaching methods for the History subject oriented towards competence development.

- Educational institutions should have essential teaching equipment such as map systems (world maps, continental maps, Southeast Asia, and Vietnam maps); historical images, models, diagrams, charts with the support of technical means like computers, projectors, TVs, radios, videos, various tapes, and discs,...

- History is a subject with content pertaining to the past, which students cannot directly observe. Information technology supports the reenactment of history through documentary films, historical sources, images, videos,... Teachers should exploit and use the basic functions of the Internet and informatics software to incorporate images, sounds, historical materials,... into lessons to enhance teaching effectiveness and inspire students to love the History subject.