Abstract

Leaders mentioned in history courses are often viewed by Turkish students either as positive role models or as perpetrators of negative deeds. The leadership models included in Turkish high school course materials may significantly influence student perceptions. The purpose of this research study was to determine the effect of a history course in influencing Turkish high school students’ identification of leaders as role models, leaders they do not sympathize with, and the rationale behind their decisions. Student opinions regarding desirable characteristics of a leader were also assessed. The participants of the study were 63 female and 53 male students from a Turkish high school in the city of Adiyaman during the 2007 to 2008 academic years. According to the research results, the most positive leader typologies revealed were patriotic, working for the people, good, and far-sighted. The most negative characteristics were selfish, working for his/her own benefits, cowards and traitors. It was found that, students learned about the leaders they viewed either negatively or positively through the content contained in school history books which indicates that curriculum choices play a significant role in the determination and formation of student ideas and attitudes.

Key words: Leadership, history courses, students’ perceptions.