An approach to the concept of social curriculum

Abstract

This article reviews various concepts that have been developed around the concept of curriculum. From these, it attempts to carry out a cultural approach to its construction through the development of specific social relations involving teachers, students, and society. It proposes that a curriculum is a wholly intentional or teleological activity, ultimately designed to form the outlook of students. The reflection, which is descriptive and qualitative, is based on a literature review and on the subjective and individual analysis of the author. It seeks to approach the concept of curriculum from the framework of social participation. Additionally, it argues that the curriculum of any educational institution must be the product of social construction, in which the educational community, teachers, students, parents, the manufacturing sector, and society in general must all be involved. This will allow the members of an educational community to take ownership of the curriculum. It is necessary to take into account the ecological as well as the social context. The latter is composed of political, economic, and cultural factors, which all play a role in the construction of a credo, that is, a well-founded curriculum and its application in the classroom.