The Value of Patriotism from the Perspective of the Students of Imam Hatip Secondary Schools

The purpose of this study is to investigate the cognitive level of patriotism value learned in imam-hatip secondary schools. Qualitative research methodology and case study pattern are used in the study. The universe of the research is composed of eighth grade students from two imam-hatip middle schools in Erzincan in 2016-2017 academic year; the study group is composed of sixteen students selected from these students with sampling maximum diversity. In the research, focus group interview was used as data collection technique and semi-structured interview form was used as data collection tool. The data obtained from the research were evaluated via descriptive analysis. Drawings and explanations of the students were presented in three sub-themes; the flag, July the fifteenth, and martyrdom. Their patriotism description were given under three sub-themes in the form of protecting, sacrificing and loving. According to the results of the research, the students perceive the homeland both livings and upheavals. In addition, sacrifice is the most striking emphasis in patriotism descriptions of students; emphasis on betrayal is also remarkable on the opposite of patriotism