What is the orientation of the content of social science education in the career-oriented education stage in Vietnam?

What are the two stages of social science education in Vietnam?

In sub-section 3 Section 5 of the general program issued along with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the social science education content for career-oriented education is described as follows:

Social science education plays a key role in educating worldview, human outlook, perfecting morality, fostering national consciousness, patriotism, humanitarian values, community spirit, and the quintessential qualities of global citizens (resilience, connectivity, individuality, love) in the context of development, innovation, and creativity of the epoch.

The general goal of social science education is to help students form and develop essential qualities and core competencies based on a solid understanding of the basic knowledge system of social sciences, mainly history and geography; preparing future citizens to better understand the world they live in, the connections and interactions between people, between humans and their environment, and between nations and the world; inspiring students to explore themselves and the issues of the country, region, and world directly related to life; helping students gain knowledge, and independent and creative thinking.

Through social science education, students are formed and developed with the capacity for social sciences, including components such as social science awareness, social inquiry, and application of acquired knowledge and skills to self-discovery, community exploration, society, and analysis and problem-solving in the areas of society, politics, and culture in specific time and space; performing inter-cultural dialogues in the era of globalization and integration.

Social science education is implemented in multiple subjects and educational activities, with core subjects including: Natural and Social Sciences (grades 1, 2, and 3); History and Geography (from grade 4 to grade 9); History, Geography (high school level).

The core content of these subjects is organized according to main themes: general outline, world, region, Vietnam, and locality, ensuring the following structure: evolution process (time, space), historical process of nation-building and defense, the creation of Vietnamese civilization – the nation’s cultural identity; the development of social progress and the reasons for the prosperity or decline of nations throughout different periods; key achievements in economy, society, culture, civilization; individuals and groups in cooperative and competitive relationships; natural conditions and natural resources; population characteristics, settlement patterns in historical spaces and times; economic structure and distribution; several interdisciplinary topics connecting the content of history, socio-economic geography, and physical geography.

The content of these subjects also has an interdisciplinary, integrative nature with other fields like: language and literature education, civic education, national defense and security education, economic and law education, etc.

Social science education content is divided into two phases: the basic education phase and the career-oriented education phase.

>> View the general program issued along with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT: Download (Note: Some content in above document is amended by Article 1, Article 2 Circular 13/2022/TT-BGDĐT)

What is the orientation of the content of social science education in the career-oriented education stage in Vietnam?​ (Image from Internet)

What is the orientation of the content of social science education in the career-oriented education stage in Vietnam?

In sub-section 3 Section 5 of the general program issued along with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the orientation of the content of social science education in the career-oriented education stage in Vietnam is clearly stated as follows:

History and Geography are optional subjects in grades 10, 11, and 12.

In grade 10, the History subject helps students grasp the general characteristics of historical and geographical sciences, the professions related to history and geography, the applicability of historical and geographical knowledge in life, while also consolidating and expanding the foundational knowledge and core skills formed in the basic education phase through topics and study modules on basic historical and geographical issues, providing a solid foundation for a clear and suitable career orientation.

In grades 11 and 12, the History subject focuses on topics and study modules in fields of history such as: political history, economic history, cultural history, military history, and social history, the interaction and integration of Vietnam into the region and the world; Geography focuses on several topics and study modules on world geography (regions, typical countries) and Vietnam's geography (natural, socio-economic), aimed at supporting students with career orientations in social sciences and humanities as well as related scientific fields.

What subjects are included in the social science group in Vietnam?

In the general education program issued along with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDĐT, the subjects in the natural and social science group are clearly stated as follows:

2. Career-oriented education phase

2.1. Educational content

Mandatory subjects and educational activities: Literature; Mathematics; Foreign Language 1; Physical Education; National Defense and Security Education; Experiential Activities, Career Orientation; Local educational content.

Optional subjects include 3 groups of subjects:

- Social science group: History, Geography, Economic and Law Education.

- Natural science group: Physics, Chemistry, Biology.

- Technology and Arts group: Technology, Informatics, Arts (Music, Fine Arts).

Students choose 5 subjects from 3 subject groups above, selecting at least one subject from each group.

...

The social science group includes the following subjects: History, Geography, and Economic and Law Education.