Courses for the Winter Semester 2025/26

Institutionalization of Education - Seminar

The seminar provides an overview of key learning environments in early childhood—daycare and family. On the one hand, it examines the historical development of learning environments. On the other hand, it addresses current developments in the early education system. Regular and active participation in the form of contributions to discussions, group work, and independently developed content input (practical input including preliminary discussion) is required.

Instructor: Katharina Kluczniok

Time: Wed, 2-4 PM, First session: 15.10.2025

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Institutionalization of Education - Seminar

The seminar provides an overview of key learning environments in early childhood—daycare and family. On the one hand, it examines the historical development of learning environments. On the other hand, it addresses current developments in the early education system. Regular and active participation in the form of contributions to discussions, group work, and independently developed content input (practical input including preliminary discussion) is required.

Instructor: Tabea Grad

Time: Wed, 2-4 PM, First session: 15.10.2025

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Promise or Illusion? – A Critical Analysis of Maria Montessori’s Pedagogy - Seminar

This block seminar offers a tightly interwoven combination of academic theory, empirical research, and practical application. The course begins by examining the life and work of Maria Montessori, followed by an introduction to the core principles of Montessori education. Her pedagogical approach is first contextualized within its historical and societal background, before exploring how Montessori’s ideas can be interpreted and applied in contemporary settings. This three-step method—focusing on the author, historical context, and theoretical work—forms the foundation of scholarly engagement with educational theories and will be exemplified in this seminar through the lens of Montessori education. In addition to key topics such as "The Perfect Child” and “Education Without Educators”, the seminar addresses empirical findings on the effectiveness of Montessori pedagogy and provides opportunities to engage with practice. The practical component includes group visits to Montessori institutions, which students will organize and carry out independently in small groups. The seminar is led by Nicole Voss, supported and co-taught by Natalie Plötz.

Instructor: Nicole Voss

Time: flexible, First session: 17.10.2025

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Current Questions in Educational Science - Seminar

The seminar deals with the family as a learning environment and with programs that aim to strengthen the family as a place of education. The focus is on early childhood. After a theoretical introduction to the concept of the home learning environment, programs for strengthening families, including their empirical evaluation findings, will be discussed in the seminar. In addition, we will develop our own (small) programs for strengthening families in small groups and also implement them in practice. Students are expected to show interest in the topic, commitment, and enthusiasm for discussion, as well as a willingness to read academic literature (including English-language texts).

Instructor: Katharina Kluczniok

Time: Wed, 10-12 AM, First session: 15.10.2025
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M.A: Research and Development in Pedagogical Fields of Action - Lecture

The lecture introduces fundamental questions and challenges of evaluation studies in the field of education. This is done using examples from the field of early childhood education. In the accompanying assignments, you will have the opportunity to research and present studies from other educational fields. The lecture takes place in person. A written exam (in person) is offered as a module examination.

Instructor: Katharina Kluczniok

Time: Thu, 12-2 PM, First session: 16.10.2025

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M.A: Research and Development in Pedagogical Fields of Action - Seminar

What makes a good daycare center? How does high-quality education in daycare centers affect child development? Questions about the quality of educational work in daycare centers have been heavily debated for several years. In this seminar, after a fundamental examination of the early childhood education quality debate and an in-depth exploration of the concept of quality, different models of quality assessment and development in the field of childcare will be presented, discussed, and tested (e.g., kindergarten scales, nursery scales, CLASS). Current analyses of the effects of educational quality on child development will also be included. In addition, the seminar will address fundamental skills in the areas of quality development, evaluation, and quality management.

Instructor: Katharina Kluczniok

Time: Thu, 12-2 PM, First session: 16.10.2025

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M.A: Research Project

If you are interested in a project in the context of early childhood education and care, please submit a letter of motivation (max. 1 page) to Katharina Kluczniok (katharina.kluczniok@fu-berlin.de) by September 1, 2025! Team applications are possible.

Instructor: Katharina Kluczniok

Time: , 10-12 AM, First session: 16.04.2025
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MA: Research and Development in Pedagogical Fields of Action - Advanced Seminar

The aim of the seminar is to gain an overview of the early childhood education research infrastructure (e.g. research institutes), to analyse and assess selected empirical studies from the field of early childhood education and to derive consequences for the assessment of further studies, for educational practice and educational policy. In addition, the relationship between scientific research, pedagogical requirements and social conditions in the context of early childhood education will be reflected upon.

Instructor: Katharina Kluczniok

Time: Wed, 12-2 PM, First session: 16.04.2025