An International Comparative Study of Upper Secondary Home Economics Education -Curriculum Analaysis Approach-

고등학교 가정과 교육의 국제비교연구 -교육과정을 중심으로-

By the comparative analysis of high school Home Economics curricula in the U.S., Japan and Taiwan, this study first attempts to understand the current Home Economics education and to access its treads for each country. Based on the findings of the analysis, the study also seeks to get the major implications of the analysis for the betterment of the Korea Home Economics Education. The main sources of information and data analyzed here are： 1) curricula for both Oklahoma and Ohio state as representatives of the U.S.； 2) Home Economics Teaching Guidelines in Japan； and 3) Home Economics curriculum in Taiwan. Content Analysis technique is applied in this study. The major elements of contents include：1) structure of the curriculum； 2) subject name； 3) unit (time) allotment； 4) goals； 5) subject areas and content composition； and 6) other related characteristics for the implementation of the curriculum. Summarized results of the study outline as follows： 1) Home Economics is offered as independently required subject with equal status to Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies subject in all three countries； 2) Sex discrimination is prohibited both in the U.S. and Taiwan, while in Japan sex equity is not secured for Home Economics educations； 3) Time allotment for Home Economics in Japan and Taiwan is similiar to that in Korea；4) Subject areas cover such fields as Foods and Nutrition, Clothing and Textiles, Home Management, and Human Development in all three countries, which is similiar to those of Korea. In addition, Consumer Education and Career Education are also covered in the U.S., whereas in Japan Child Care is offered； and 5) Curriculum can be utilized as instructional planning material due to the clear specification of instructional methods, materials, and evaluation methods on the curriculum, especially in the U.S. and Taiwan.