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Introduction to General and Social Education

Semester 1 · 64215 · Bachelor for Social Education · 10CP · DE · IT


In the three modules of the course, students acquire fundamental knowledge of general pedagogy, its historical development, key theories, and methods. They learn to understand pedagogical concepts, objectives, and views of humanity within their societal context and to reflect on their significance for (social) pedagogical practice. The course addresses issues in social pedagogy, examines the relationships between society, territories, cultures, and education, and explores critical aspects arising from the interrelation of education and power. Furthermore, the course introduces the foundations of play and storytelling as pedagogical tools, provides training in techniques of reading aloud and narrative mediation, and enables students to experiment with playful and creative approaches while reflecting on the importance of stories for building relationships, creating meaning, and fostering imagination.

Lecturers: Maria Teresa Trisciuzzi, Michele Cagol, Iris Nentwig-Gesemann, Silke Werth

Teaching Hours: 48
Lab Hours: 20
Mandatory Attendance: In accordance with the regulation

Course Topics
- Education, ‘Bildung’, socialization, learning, play - Development of pedagogy from antiquity to the present - Classical and modern pedagogical theories - Pedagogy in the context of politics, culture, and social structures - Values, norms, concepts of humanity, educational goals and styles - Role and professional self-concept of (social) educators - Foundations, principles, definitions, and challenges of social pedagogy - Contexts and relationships in the field of social pedagogy - Importance of play and stories for building relationships, creating meaning, and fostering imagination - Techniques of reading aloud and narrative mediation

Teaching format
Lectures including presentations, discussions, and group work sessions; laboratory comprising inputs and practical exercises

Educational objectives
Knowledge and Understanding Fundamental knowledge of the key concepts of general pedagogy and social pedagogy (including education, ‘Bildung’, socialization, learning, play) as well as their historical development and theoretical foundations. Understanding of classical and contemporary (social) pedagogical theories, the underlying views of humanity, and conceptions of education. Ability to contextualize (social) pedagogical practice within societal, cultural, and political frameworks. Knowledge of pedagogical aims, values, and norms in the context of (social) pedagogy. Basic knowledge of play and storytelling as pedagogical tools and the significance of stories for creativity and human development. Understanding of the role of voice, rhythm, image, and movement in the educational process. Applying Knowledge / Understanding Transfer of theoretical concepts to concrete fields of social pedagogical practice. Analysis and elaboration of case studies using pedagogical theories. Use of academic literature to justify and shape pedagogical practice. Application of narrative and playful methods in pedagogical contexts and use of creative forms of expression to foster participation and imagination. Design of small-scale learning situations based on stories. Critical Reflection and Evaluation Critical reflection on and evaluation of pedagogical theories with regard to their relevance for practice. Assessment of educational aims and objectives in consideration of different systems of values and norms. Reflection on the pedagogical value of play and storytelling. Evaluation of different narrative approaches in relation to educational goals. Development of a reflective pedagogical attitude and a professional self-concept. Communication Participation in and facilitation of plenary discussions and group work. Cooperative engagement with different perspectives in discussions. Precise and audience-appropriate articulation of pedagogical arguments. Design and delivery of reading-aloud and storytelling sequences. Clear and audience-appropriate presentation of narrative approaches. Learning Strategies Independent study and deepening of theoretical content. Development of strategies for lifelong learning in the pedagogical context. Ability to purposefully integrate new knowledge and methods into one’s own pedagogical practice. Independent acquisition of storytelling and play methods. Development of strategies to connect theory and practice.

Assessment
The examination consists of several independent components: A) Lecture: Introduction to General Pedagogy – written partial examination B) Lecture: Introduction to Social Pedagogy – written partial examination C) Laboratory – continuous assessment within the laboratory

Evaluation criteria
Subject-matter Accuracy, Understanding and Transfer, Structure and Clarity, Reflective and Evaluative Ability, Communication Skills, Formal Requirements

Required readings
  • Benner, D. (2025). Allgemeine Pädagogik: Eine systematisch-problemgeschichtliche Einführung in die Grundstruktur pädagogischen Denkens und Handelns (9., überarb. Aufl.). Beltz Juventa.
  • Bianchi, L., & D’Antone, A. (2024). Oltre l’inclusione. Pedagogia critica, tokenismo e decolonizzazione nei contesti educativi. Scholé.
  • D’Antone, A., & Bianchi, L. (2020). Pedagogia critica e sociale. Struttura, contesti e relazioni dell’accadere educativo. FrancoAngeli.
  • Koller, H.-C. (2021). Grundbegriffe, Theorien und Methoden der Erziehungswissenschaft: Eine Einführung (9. Aufl.). Kohlhammer.
  • Simeone, D. (Ed.). (2024). Dizionario di Pedagogia generale e sociale. Scholé.
  • Stein, M. (2024). Allgemeine Pädagogik (4., überarb. Aufl.). UTB.
  • Tramma, S. (2018). Pedagogia sociale. Guerini.


Supplementary readings

Further reading will be specified separately for each module.




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Sustainable Development Goals
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals.

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Modules

Semester 1 · 64215A · Bachelor for Social Education · 4CP · DE

Module A — Foundations of General Education

The lecture provides fundamental knowledge of General Pedagogy as an academic discipline and as a key reference framework for social pedagogical practice. It focuses on core concepts such as education, upbringing, and socialization, along with their historical development and theoretical foundations. Drawing on both classical and modern pedagogical theories the course presents and critically examines various conceptions of humanity and education. Societal, cultural, and political contexts of pedagogical action are also explored. Students engage with educational and instructional goals, values, and norms, and reflect on the significance of pedagogical professionalism. Through case studies, discussions, and the analysis of concrete fields of practice, the relevance of theoretical foundations to social pedagogical work is made clear. The aim is to develop a well-grounded understanding of pedagogical thought and to apply it to a variety of social pedagogical contexts.

Lecturers: Iris Nentwig-Gesemann, Silke Werth

Teaching Hours: 14 h (Prof. Nentwig-Gesemann Iris) 10 h (Dr. Werth Silke)
Lab Hours: 0

Course Topics
- Conceptual Understanding: Education, Bildung, socialization (including individuation and enculturation), learning, play - Historical Foundations: Development of pedagogy from antiquity to the present - Key Theories: Classical and modern pedagogical theories (e.g., Herbart, Montessori, Dewey, Paulo Freire) - Societal Contexts: Pedagogy in the context of politics, culture, and social structures - Educational and Upbringing Goals: Values, norms, concepts of humanity - Pedagogical Professionalism: Role and professional self-concept of the educator - Practical Application: Relevance for fields of social pedagogical practice

Teaching format
Lecture combined with plenary discussion and collaborative student work in small groups

Required readings

Benner, D. (2025). General pedagogy: A systematic and problem-historical introduction to the basic structure of pedagogical thinking and action (9th ed., rev.). Weinheim: Beltz Juventa.

Koller, H.-C. (2021). Basic concepts, theories, and methods of educational science: An introduction (9th ed.). Stuttgart: Kohlhammer.

Stein, M. (2024). General pedagogy (4th ed., rev.). Stuttgart: UTB.



Supplementary readings

Further reading will be announced in the course.



Semester 1 · 64215B · Bachelor for Social Education · 4CP · IT

Module B — Foundations of Social Education

The modul addresses issues of social pedagogy, examining the relationships between society, territories, cultures and education, and showing the critical aspects emerging from the relationship between education and power.

Lecturers: Michele Cagol

Teaching Hours: 24
Lab Hours: 0

Semester 1 · 64215C · Bachelor for Social Education · 2CP · IT

Module C — Pedagogy of Play and Narration (LAB)

The module explores storytelling and play as educational tools, capable of weaving together word, image, gesture, and listening into meaningful experiences. Participants will work on reading aloud, techniques of narrative mediation, and play-based activities, experimenting with expressive modes that enhance rhythm, voice, and movement.
Activities will include the design of narrative and play-based interventions in educational and socio-pedagogical contexts, differentiated according to age groups and professional fields of Social Education, with the aim of fostering participation, relationships, and the re-elaboration of experiences. The goal is to provide both theoretical and practical tools to use storytelling and play as practices of relationship-building, meaning-making, and the development of imagination.

Lecturers: Maria Teresa Trisciuzzi

Teaching Hours: 0
Lab Hours: 20

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