The Appropriate Transmission of Knowledge - Essay Example

The Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE) have got the educationalists' attention as an imperative strategy for the mental growth of children. It is therefore SOSE becoming an essential part of almost all educational institutions to rear the new generation within a culturally diverse society. The primary purpose of the Studies of Society and Environment learning area is to help young people develop the ability to make reasoned and informed decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world. (discover.tased.edu.au/sose/whatintr.htm, Sep 8, 2004)

  Tasmania is an important Australian state containing an amalgamation of many ethnic groups and cultures. It is estimated that Tasmania was joined to the mainland nearly 10,000 years ago. (Wikipedia Encyclopaedia) The arrival of European nations in the state, in the 17th Century, introduced acculturation between the Europeans and the local Aborigines leading to changes in traditions, language, living style, cults, and political and economic conditions turning Tasmania into a diversified region. Moreover, clemency in immigration policies and comfortable sources of traveling in modern times of globalization have brought remote areas and cultures nearer to one another. Though, all the ethnic groups, including Aborigines and others, abide by the law while interacting with other individuals, differences in cultural values existing in the environment create difficulties.

Keeping in mind the socio-cultural situation, educationalists laid stress on providing children with such learning during their initial school years that may help them in making adjustments according to their diversified cultural and social setup. Many educators have favored models such as SOSE because they do not believe that all students are suited to, or interested in secondary studies. (The Australian, 2007:11) Thus, it was decided that a well-planned, comprehensive, and rigorous education must be provided to the students in their initial educational years so that it could develop their personality in such a way that might be highly beneficial for the political, social, economic and cultural uplift of the whole nation. It is therefore Studies of Society and Environment was included in the syllabus of all schools in Tasmania. SOSE not only fulfills the tremendous mission of personality development, according to the diversified social environment but also keeps the students updated with the latest changes taking place in the world of today. Learning about the environment has always been a matter of great interest for humans because it has been affiliated with their financial activities. In hunter-gatherer societies and small agrarian societies, people’s survival depended on learning as much as they could about the plants, animals, and landscape in their environment. (Wadham et al. 2004:38) SOSE is a refined form of primitive thoughtfulness of intellectuals and philosophers.

Global education seeks to prepare students to live in an increasingly globalized world, and to be active, participating citizens who contribute to shaping a better future. (Myhill, 2005:4) Looking into the technological advancements and rapid changes at the global level, it becomes evident that there must be some particular subject(s) that could combat the challenges of a changing world by providing students with comprehensive knowledge of their surroundings for keeping them updated. According to Ross (2001), social studies has had and is having an identity crisis.
There is a need for a subject that addresses the real problems of the 21st Century society and in particular a social justice perspective with opportunities for students to think and act responsibly. (Marsh, 1998: 5) I got an education at a Tasmanian school, where the disciplines including Cultural Anthropology, History, Sociology, Geography, and Archaeology were taught as an essential part of the SOSE curriculum. These disciplines discussed fossil remains, natural resources, living styles, religious beliefs, economic activities, and cultural norms, which revealed horizons of knowledge before me regarding the gradual historical and cultural development of human societies. It not only helped me a lot in understanding the features of my society but also I got acquainted with different states and regions of the world at large. In addition, it turned beneficial while determining my future goals regarding higher education and career development outside my country.  Thus, SOSE undoubtedly serves as a source of wide-range learning and is beneficial for students belonging to every society of the globe.