Didactics of the social sciences

The project "On the teaching and appropriation of systemic sustainability contexts between social and natural science perspectives in childhood" is an interdisciplinary collaboration between Prof. Dr. Alexander Wohnig (didactics of social sciences), Prof. Dr. Jochen Lange (educational science with a focus on didactics of subject teaching), Manuela Siewert (teacher for special tasks in the primary school pedagogy working group) and myself (didactics of social sciences, political sustainability education).

The aim of the project is to take a multi-perspective view of sustainability issues, which is closely linked to both general knowledge teaching and the educational approach of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). To date, however, educational practice has mainly focused on biological and physical topics, which is why ESD practice - both in elementary school and beyond - has often been criticized as apolitical in recent years. In contrast, political, social and sociological dimensions as well as corresponding contexts tend to remain marginally integrated. The role of human practices, socio-cultural processes, lifestyles, norms and values in shaping a (non-)sustainable present and future is also often insufficiently considered.

This is where the project comes in, with the aim of identifying starting points for social science learning processes based on current practice. To this end, we are working with practice-based case vignettes as well as starting points, challenges and potential for reflection using the example of dilemma stories. On this basis, we develop OER educational materials, which are then tested and reflected on in practice.

In the project, I am responsible for project coordination, for the regular, ethnographically accompanied exchange with educational practice and for the development of OER materials, which are designed from practice for practice.