Europeanism and the European Union. An optional and specialization course in social studies in upper secondary schools. Also some basic information about Finnish School system, Upper Secondary School, social studies in USS.

1. Europeanism and the European Union An optional and specialization course in social studies in upper secondary schools Mr Kari Rajala, Principal, Elimäki Upper Secondary School, Kouvola, Finland Contact: kari.rajala@kouvola.fi , GSM +358 2061 57846

3. Upper SecondaryEducation(age 16-19) General upper secondary education lukio, bachillerato, das Gymnasium, liceo General education that prepares students for the matriculation examination. Vocational upper secondary qualifications. The principal objective of vocational programmes is vocational competence.

4. General upper secondary school (lukio) General upper secondary schools give general education to students aged about 16-19. They continue the basic education teaching task and provide eligibility for further studies at the higher level. The general upper secondary school ends in the matriculation examination which yields eligibility for all higher education studies. The school year is divided into five periods. A timetable is devised for each period, focusing on certain subjects The students’ progress and the composition of teaching groups thus depends on the students’ choice of courses.

5. Subjects Mothertongue and literature(FinnishorSwedish) The other national language(SwedishorFinnish Foreignlanguages A-level is usually English German, French, Russian, Spanish, Italy, Latin (C- or D-level) Mathematics (advanced cource or basic course) Biology Geography Physics Chemistry Religion or Ethics Philosophy Psychology History Social Studies Music Art Physical education Health education Student counselling

6. Courses The subjects has been divided into courses that each consist of about 38 lessons. One lesson is usually 45 minutes. The upper secondary syllabus consists of a minimum of 75 courses. There are compulsory, specialization, and applied courses. All students must complete the compulsory courses (47-51 courses) Schools must provide specialization courses for students to choose from.

7. Social studies in upper secondary school Instruction in social studies will consolidate students’ understanding of the surrounding society. The structure of society and its key phenomena, power, the economy and means of influence will be examined from the perspectives of Finnish society, Europe and the world. Social studies are based on the contents of different branches of social sciences and law. The subject will provide students with capabilities for active and critical examination of current phenomena and for participation in social activities. Instruction is based on socio-ethical values, such as justice and equality, social responsibility, respect for human rights, appreciation of work and entrepreneurship as well as active citizenship. The specialization and optional course in social studies Compulsory courses: Politics and society (YH1) Economics (YH2) Optionalcourses Citizens and law (YH3) Europeanism and the European Union (YH4)

8. Europeanism and the European Union The course will familiarize students with the operations of the European Union and the status of individual citizens in an integrating Europe and will encourage them to participate in current debates about the EU. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the course are for students to obtain diverse and in-depth information about the European Union and its operations learn to function as citizens of the European Union be familiar with the advantages and disadvantages, opportunities and threats involved in European integration be able to acquire comparative information about the European Union and its citizens understand the effects of European integration in terms of their own lives and of the Finnish political system

9. Europeanism and the European Union CORE CONTENTS European identity common European values EU citizenship Exercising influence and power in the European Union the European Union’s decision-making system Finns as part of the European Union’s decision-making system different members Regional effects of the European Union young people’s opportunities to study and work within the EU; the Union of the Regions from the citizens’ perspective. Challenges to the European Union EU enlargement common security policy EU and global systems

10. The Matriculation examination The final examination in the end of the general upper secondary school. Is drawn up nationally. There is a centralized body to check its individual tests against uniform criteria. Consists of at least four tests. Everyone must take the test in mother tongue. Three other tests: can be chosen among the second national language, one foreign language, mathematics, and sciences and humanities. …. (more in the next slide)

11. The Matriculation examination (more) In addition to these, the candidates may take optional tests. The tests are arranged in spring and autumn. A candidate may complete the examination in one examination period or in parts during a maximum of three consecutive examination periods. More information from pages of

12. More information in English The Finnish National Board of Education (FNBE) http://www.oph.fi/english National Core Curriculum for General Upper Secondary Schools http://www.edu.fi/julkaisut/english/LOPS_2003_engl.pdf The Finnish Matriculation Examination http://www.ylioppilastutkinto.fi/en/index.html The Association for Teachers of History and Social Studies in Finland http://www.hyol.fi/52/english.html Town Kouvola http://www.kouvola.fi/en/index.html