Through a combination of desk and field study, this research attempts to look at the curricular and pedagogic aspects of social science education being imparted in schools. It is a comparative analysis of various social science curricula, with a focus on what has traditionally been taught as 'Civics'. The sample students for the field study have been drawn from upper primary classes of municipal schools, as well as a private school in Mumbai. While the prime focus of the study is on the curricular aspects, a brief attempt has also been made at analyzing the role of teachers in the teaching-learning process. A central theme that revolves around the interpretation of the term 'patriotism' has been chosen to understand the impact of the various curricula on students.