An Analytic Research on Intension of Characters in Civics Textbooks of Junior High School Social Studies

[[abstract]]The purpose of this study is to investigate ”Intension of Characters” in civics textbooks of junior high school social studies and to explore the number and distribution of ”Intension of Characters”. It also compares the differences between two versions of civics textbooks in terms of ”Intension of Characters”. Based on the analyses of Chinese and western literature reviews, the researcher analyzes and concludes that the seven characters most frequently defined as ”Intension of Characters” are “honesty”, “responsibility”, “respect”, “fairness”, “courage”, “caring “and “self-discipline”. The civics textbooks, which are analyzed in the study, include two different versions which are arranged from Volume One to Volume Six. Every volume is used to teach three different graders in junior high school students every semester, respectively. Data obtained in this study are analyzed by means of content analysis, descriptive statistics and chi-square test. The researcher tries to find out how the civics textbooks show the importance of decency in the fast-changing society. Additionally, it’s expected to explore how the civics textbooks convey the merits and meanings of ”Intension of Characters” to junior high school students. The major findings of this study are as follows: A. With regard to “ Intension of Characters”: 1. In terms of “ Intension of Characters” : a. “Honesty” means treating others sincerely. b. “Responsibility” means doing the things that one should do. c. “Respect” means admiring others. d. “Fairness” means doing things without bias. e. “Courage” means facing difficulty or danger without fear. f. “Caring” means sympathetic concern for others. g. “Self-Discipline” means self-government and self-discipline. 2. As regards what and how civic textbooks explicate “Intension of Characters”: a. The main categories of ”Intension of Characters” - ”responsibility” are explained fully and completely, and they are provided with new meanings. b. Some of the sub-categories of “Intension of Characters” - “honesty”, “respect”, “fairness” , ”courage” and “caring” aren’t explicited clearly. c. Some of “Intension of Characters ”-“honesty”, “respect”, “caring” and “self-discipline” aren’t described and mentioned in everyday events. d. “Loyalty” of “honesty” aims to provoke one’s love for his own hometown and country. B. With regard to “Intension of Characters” explicated: 1. “Responsibility” is explicated the most; “honesty” is explained obviously less. 2. “Responsibility” and “caring” are explicated the most frequently; “ integrity” and “kindness” are explained much less frequently. 3. Not all “Intension of Characters” are explicated in Version B. C. With regard to the presentation of “Intension of Characters” explicated: The explications of “Intension of Characters” are arranged primarily in texts and secondarily in illustrations. What is presented in workbooks, post-readings and supplements helps to explain “Intension of Characters”. D. With regard to the distribution of “Intension of Characters”: 1. The distribution of “Intension of Characters” in each version isn’t arranged evenly. 2. The presentation of “Intension of Characters” in Version A is superior to that in Version B in order of arrangement.