Societies in Transition: Teaching and Learning in Turbulent Times

The summer school Societies in Transition: Teaching and Learning in Turbulent Times will discuss educational phenomena in both the South African and German societies. Both have emerged from traumatic historical times and find themselves in transition: South Africa after the end of Apartheid and Germany after reunification. The course will look at the shared aspects of transforming historical trauma in the realm of education. Questions that will be asked focus on how they are reflected in school experiences and in teacher education in both countries and how they influence the knowledge taught in multi-lingual societies and schools.

The summer school will focus on inclusive education and historical awareness in primary school students. The first topic will focus on how and whether teaching personnel is prepared to teaching in inclusive education spaces. Do teachers reflect their own point of view? Various professional reflection modes will be examined with reference to subject specific and more general convictions in teaching education and practice. The course will focus on the university level in both countries and help develop a planning and reflection model for inclusive teaching and learning. The international exchange will also help determine under what conditions these approaches are functional. Looking at historical awareness for recent history in primary students and the conditions under which recent history may be more easily learned is the focus for the second area of emphasis. Empirical research conducted in Germany and South Africa during the last decade will be studied.

Participants in the summer school will reflect on both topics with reference to central questions of education in the contexts of schools and universities. Various methodological questions on learning and teaching will be discussed; excursions to relevant sights are part of the course. A cultural and social program will be offered in addition.