Courses for the Winter Semester 2026/27

Fundamental Questions in Education (Seminar)

Instructor: Tabea Grad

Time: Mon, 12-2 PM, First session: 12.10.2026

This seminar covers fundamental concepts and theories in general educational science. It focuses on the core concepts of upbringing, education, and socialization, as well as their interrelationships. Drawing on classic texts in educational theory (including Kant and Humboldt), fundamental ideas about upbringing and education are placed in their historical context and critically examined. In addition, more contemporary perspectives in educational science are examined, such as education as influence or interaction, parenting styles in different social milieus, education as transformation, and theories of socialization. In this way, the historical perspective is linked to more recent scholarly debates. The seminar thus explores in greater depth some—but not all—of the topics covered in the lecture “Education and Upbringing” (Course No. 120000). Due to overlapping content, you should not register for the seminar taught by Prof. Dr. Inka Bormann (Course No. 120001) or Richard Benthin (Course No. 120002) as your second seminar for this module. I look forward to seeing you!

Approaches to Pedagogical Practice – Fundamentals (Seminar)

Instructor: Tabea Grad

Time: Mon, 2-4 PM, First session: 12.10.2026

This seminar provides an overview of the historical development, content, and implementation of key approaches in early childhood education. It covers classical, progressive, and modern approaches, as well as their historical development, content, and implementation. Following the theoretical discussion, the seminar examines the fundamentals of instructional planning in early childhood education as well as key methodological approaches to (early) childhood education—play, educational programs, and project work. Working in small groups, students plan a sample instructional activity from the perspective of a chosen approach, thereby reflecting on the connection between conceptual early childhood education frameworks and their practical implementation.

Approaches to Pedagogical Practice – Fundamentals (Seminar)

Instructor: Stefanie Pietz

Time: flexible, First session: 27.11.2026

In this block seminar, students will gain an overview of the history, content, and implementation of key early childhood education approaches. The course will cover classical, progressive, and modern approaches. Following the theoretical component, students will conduct independent classroom observations at daycare centers that implement various approaches, in order to reflect on their practical application. Seminar dates: Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, 2:00–4:00 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 30, 2027, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Current Issues in Educational Studies A (Seminar)

Instructor: Charlotte Enß

Time: flexible, First session: 13.10.2026

The vast majority of children in Germany attend a daycare center before starting school and spend a lot of time there every day. Daycare centers therefore represent a very important additional learning environment—alongside the family—for young children. However, to best support children in their development, effective collaboration between the daycare center and families is essential; thus, collaboration with families is considered a central component of quality early childhood education. This collaboration takes various forms and involves different approaches. During this seminar, we will explore these together and examine a wide range of questions: How is collaboration with families conceptually integrated into the center’s operations? What role does the early childhood education professional play in this context? What challenges exist in the wake of societal change as well as due to current influences and developments in this field of practice? First, we will explore the theoretical foundations of successful approaches to collaboration with families, discuss research findings, and identify current challenges. In small groups, participants will then develop their own professional development concepts for the field of collaboration with families.

Introduction to a Field of Practice (Seminar)

Instructor: Tabea Grad

Time: Thu, 12–2 PM, First session: 15.10.2026

This seminar provides a fundamental overview of key early childhood learning environments and examines them from historical, social, structural, and pedagogical perspectives. This refers not only to specific spaces and educational settings but also to the social, familial, institutional, and societal conditions under which children grow up, are cared for, and learn. The seminar traces how conceptions of childhood, education, upbringing, and care have evolved and how these continue to shape the design of early childhood education to this day. The focus is on the development and current structure of the early childhood education system in Germany, as well as the relationship between daycare centers and families. Topics covered include forms of care and provider structures, educational participation, parental needs, pedagogical quality, and heterogeneity. In addition, students will become familiar with key pedagogical approaches to early childhood education, exploring their fundamental ideas and historical contexts. Further perspectives are provided by the collaboration between daycare centers and families, empirical findings on the effects of child day care on child development, and an insight into international early childhood education systems. These topics are explored through, among other things, relevant academic texts, discussions, group work, and a small independent assignment. The goal is to acquire a basic understanding of early childhood education and to identify connections between educational practice, societal developments, and the framework conditions of the early childhood education system.

MA: Research and Development in Pedagogical Fields of Action (Lecture)

Instructor: Katharina Kluczniok

Time: Thu, 10 AM–12 PM, First session: 15.10.2026

This course introduces students to fundamental questions and challenges in educational evaluation studies. 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 areas of education as well. The module exam consists of a written exam (in person).