Social Studies in the Netherlands: A Challenging Experience.

Overview & Synopsis

This paper outlines the development of the social studies curriculum of the Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden (NHL), a polytechnic college in the north of The Netherlands. The following issues are addressed: (1) current developments in the labor market and in education that have to be addressed by a new curriculum; (2) the concept of 'learning how to learn' as a key feature of the NHL curriculum; (3) social studies as a thematic form of education in the NHL definition; (4) the method of curriculum development that is used to implement the framework; and (5) problems and points of discussion in the current implementation process. Graphs and charts help explain the different learning techniques described in the paper. The paper contends that the distinction between Dutch universities and colleges for professional education, such as the NHL, can be made productive within a national educational system. (EH)