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

Upper Secondary Education(age 16-19)

General upper secondary educationlukio, bachillerato, das Gymnasium, liceoGeneral education that prepares students for the

matriculation examination.

Vocational upper secondary qualifications. The principal objective of vocational programmes is

vocational competence.

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

subjectsThe students’ progress and the composition of teaching

groups thus depends on the students’ choice of courses.

SubjectsMother tongue and

literature (Finnish or Swedish) The other national

language (Swedish or Finnish

Foreign languages A-level is usually English German, French, Russian,

Spanish, Italy, Latin (C- or D-level)

Mathematics (advanced cource or basic course)

BiologyGeographyPhysics

ChemistryReligion or EthicsPhilosophyPsychologyHistorySocial StudiesMusicArtPhysical educationHealth education Student counselling

CoursesThe 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.

Social studies in upper secondary schoolInstruction 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 studiesCompulsory courses:

Politics and society (YH1) Economics (YH2)

Optional courses Citizens and law (YH3) Europeanism and the European Union (YH4)

Europeanism and the European UnionThe 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.

OBJECTIVESThe objectives of the course are for students toobtain diverse and in-depth information about the European Union

and its operationslearn to function as citizens of the European Unionbe familiar with the advantages and disadvantages, opportunities and

threats involved in European integrationbe able to acquire comparative information about the European Union

and its citizensunderstand the effects of European integration in terms of their own

lives and of the Finnish political system

Europeanism and the European UnionCORE CONTENTSEuropean identity common European values EU citizenshipExercising 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 membersRegional 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

The Matriculation examinationThe 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)

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

More information in EnglishThe 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 Finlandhttp://www.hyol.fi/52/english.html

Town Kouvolahttp://www.kouvola.fi/en/index.html