Where Is Popular Culture in Our Lives? Opinions and Metaphorical Perceptions of Social Studies Teacher Candidates

Abstract

In this study, the views of Social Studies teacher candidates on popular culture and their metaphorical perceptions of this concept were discussed. The study was conducted with students studying in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades in the Social Studies teaching department at a university in the Black Sea Region. The metaphor form and interview form developed by the researcher were used in the study. The metaphors developed by the students for the concept of popular culture were included in 10 different categories. The category with the most metaphors was the category of harming people and putting them in the same mold. Another category was the category that emphasized the aspect of popular culture being a temporary and variable element. In this sense, it was seen that the most metaphors were included in these two categories. The data obtained from the interviews revealed the awareness of the teacher candidates regarding popular culture. In this sense, it has been noticed that teacher candidates have the last conscious explanations about how popular culture affects their own lives, social life and the lives of students. It is understood from the metaphorical images and the answers given to the interview forms that teacher candidates are extremely conscious about popular culture and its effects and are in a position to act with this awareness in their teaching life. Popular culture is a subject in the curriculum of Social Studies course. For this reason, courses on popular culture should be given more frequently at the undergraduate level and students should be informed about the precautions that can be taken against the negative effects of popular culture. © (2025), (T.C. Milli Egitim Bakanligi). All rights reserved.