HAKIKAT PENDIDIKAN IPS : PENGANTAR KONSEPTUAL DAN IMPLIKASINYA DALAM KURIKULUM PENDIDIKAN INDONESIA

Abstract

The nature of Social Studies (IPS) education positions this field of study as an interdisciplinary construct that aims to develop students' social literacy through the integration of concepts from sociology, economics, geography, anthropology, and political science. Conceptually, IPS education functions not only as a vehicle for transmitting social knowledge, but also as an instrument for character formation, strengthening civic values, and developing critical thinking and social problem-solving skills. In the context of the Indonesian Education curriculum, the meaning of the nature of IPS has significant implications for the formulation of competencies, material selection, pedagogical approaches, and the orientation of learning evaluation. The curriculum demands contextual, thematic-integrative, and experience-based learning organization, thus facilitating students in understanding the dynamics of society and actively participating in social and democratic life. Thus, the study of the nature of IPS education becomes an essential basis for designing a curriculum that is relevant, responsive, and adaptive to ongoing social change.