Research Article

The role of general culture courses in training qualified teachers: The case of the Western music course

Volume: 10 Number: 4 October 29, 2025
TR EN

The role of general culture courses in training qualified teachers: The case of the Western music course

Abstract

This study aims to examine the opinions of pre-service teachers from various disciplines regarding the elective Western Music course, to identify its potential contributions to their professional and personal development, if any, and to interpret these contributions within the framework of general cultural knowledge, which is one of the characteristics of a qualified teacher. A case study design, one of the qualitative research methods, was employed in the study. The participant group was selected through criterion sampling and consisted of pre-service teachers enrolled at Harran University in the departments of Elementary Teacher Education, Primary Mathematics Teacher Education, English Language Teaching, Art and Crafts Teacher Education, Preschool Teacher Education, and Science Teacher Education, who chose the Western Music course as one of their General Culture Elective Courses. A semi-structured interview form was used as the data collection instrument, and the obtained data were analyzed using the descriptive analysis method. In terms of personal development, the majority of pre-service teachers perceived the Western Music course as an opportunity to enhance their aesthetic understanding, familiarize themselves with international music genres and artists, and increase their cultural awareness. Regarding professional development, most pre-service teachers found the course beneficial within the context of general cultural knowledge. It was stated that the course provided valuable contributions in various aspects, such as relating music knowledge to their field of study, enriching lesson processes, conveying different cultural perspectives to students, and incorporating music into classroom activities. The research findings indicate that the Western Music course can contribute to the general cultural framework of pre-service teachers’ individual and professional development.

Keywords

References

  1. Arslan, E. (2022). Validity and reliability in qualitative research. Pamukkale University Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 51, 395-407. https://doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.1116878
  2. Çağlayan, A. B., Bahtiyar Karadeniz, C., & Sarı, S. (2018). Opinions of vocational school students on selective music course (Ordu university SBMYO sample). In H. Kahya (Ed.), 1st International Congress on New Horizons in Education and Social Conference proceedings (pp. 108-116). Istanbul, Türkiye.
  3. Çelikten, M., Şanal, M., & Yeni, Y. (2005). The teaching profession and its characteristics. Erciyes University Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 19, 207-237.
  4. Doğan, M. (2020). University students’ expectations about the elective music course. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 20(87), 179-198.
  5. Doğan, Y., & Özçakmak, H. (2020). A study on the general knowledge levels of pre-service Turkish language teachers. Turkish Journal of Educational Sciences, 18(2), 595-623. https://doi.org/10.37217/tebd.788751
  6. Em, G., Yöndem, S., & Ece, A. S. (2018). Instructors and student views related to elective music in universities: The case of Abant Izzet Baysal University. Academic Sight International Refereed Online Journal, 65, 381-394. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/abuhsbd/issue/36059/404881
  7. Erden, M. (1998). Öğretmenlik mesleğine giriş. Alkım.
  8. İlhan, E. (2022). The alumni voice: Are university-wide elective courses a waste of time or an investment for the future?. Journal of National Education, 51(236), 3563-3592. https://doi.org/10.37669/milliegitim.929312

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Music Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 29, 2025

Submission Date

May 7, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 22, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 10 Number: 4

APA
Ozdemir Selcuk, V. (2025). The role of general culture courses in training qualified teachers: The case of the Western music course. Online Journal of Music Sciences, 10(4), 1002-1014. https://doi.org/10.31811/ojomus.1693954
AMA
1.Ozdemir Selcuk V. The role of general culture courses in training qualified teachers: The case of the Western music course. ojomus. 2025;10(4):1002-1014. doi:10.31811/ojomus.1693954
Chicago
Ozdemir Selcuk, Vildan. 2025. “The Role of General Culture Courses in Training Qualified Teachers: The Case of the Western Music Course”. Online Journal of Music Sciences 10 (4): 1002-14. https://doi.org/10.31811/ojomus.1693954.
EndNote
Ozdemir Selcuk V (October 1, 2025) The role of general culture courses in training qualified teachers: The case of the Western music course. Online Journal of Music Sciences 10 4 1002–1014.
IEEE
[1]V. Ozdemir Selcuk, “The role of general culture courses in training qualified teachers: The case of the Western music course”, ojomus, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 1002–1014, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.31811/ojomus.1693954.
ISNAD
Ozdemir Selcuk, Vildan. “The Role of General Culture Courses in Training Qualified Teachers: The Case of the Western Music Course”. Online Journal of Music Sciences 10/4 (October 1, 2025): 1002-1014. https://doi.org/10.31811/ojomus.1693954.
JAMA
1.Ozdemir Selcuk V. The role of general culture courses in training qualified teachers: The case of the Western music course. ojomus. 2025;10:1002–1014.
MLA
Ozdemir Selcuk, Vildan. “The Role of General Culture Courses in Training Qualified Teachers: The Case of the Western Music Course”. Online Journal of Music Sciences, vol. 10, no. 4, Oct. 2025, pp. 1002-14, doi:10.31811/ojomus.1693954.
Vancouver
1.Vildan Ozdemir Selcuk. The role of general culture courses in training qualified teachers: The case of the Western music course. ojomus. 2025 Oct. 1;10(4):1002-14. doi:10.31811/ojomus.1693954