The Role of Community Studies in the Makiguchian Pedagogy

Abstract

This article focuses on two of the earlier works in the Makiguchi corpus, Kyoju no togo chushin toshiteno kyodoka kenkyu (Research into Community Studies as the Integrating Focus of Instruction, 1912/1987; hereafter Community Studies), and Chiri kyoju no hoho oyobi naiyo no kenkyu (Research into the Methods and Content of Geography Instruction, 1916/1981). Neither of these works has been introduced, even in excerpted form, in English. These texts form an important bridge between Makiguchi's early writing on human geography and his later writings on pedagogical theory. As Saito (1989) notes, Jinsei chirigaku (The Geography of Human Life, 1903/1984; hereafter Geography) is informed by a distinct educational paradigm—one in which direct observation of phenomena plays a central role. Community Studies represents an innovative curriculum proposal that seeks to implement that paradigm in the public school setting. As such, it brings the community into the classroom and the classroom into the community. This synergistic harmonization of life and learning remained an important theme throughout Makiguchi's writings and work; it is at the heart of his project of developing forms of education that are socially and epistemologically empowering.