Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Primary School Teaching

Degree

Combined bachelor, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - This course prepares you for the teaching profession. Please refer also to the leaflet 'Lehramtsstudium an der HU'.

Standard time for completing course

6 semesters

Start of study and Entry Restriction

Cf. course catalogue

Combinations

Students combine three primary-school fields of study.  See combination options (hu-berlin/lehramtsstudium).

The following subjects are offered at HU:

  • German
  • Mathematics
  • General Studies
  • Special Needs Education
  • Special Needs Education with Focus on Sign Language Pedagogy and Hearing & Communication

If you select this subject and do not have sufficient basic knowledge of German Sign Language (DGS), you must take an additional language preparatory course in the first semester (10 CP).

  • Sport

For the subject of sport, there are special entry requirements that must be proven at the time of enrolment. These are:

a. Practical sport-related affinity and sporting aptitude: Evidence of at least 33 grade points in sport from three of the last four half years of the Abitur or relevant school qualifications at a comparable qualification level. Taking sport as an accelerated course in secondary school is sufficient to warrant a level of achievement of at least 30 grade points. There ist no aptitude test at HU.

Alternatively: passing the sport aptitude test of another university (not more than two years before the beginning of the application period).

b. Fitness for sport: medical certificate (not older than 1 year). For detailed information, see: 14. Änderung der ZSP-HU (AMB 13/2022, pdf), p. 8-11, and https://www.spowi.hu-berlin.de/de/studium/studienbewerber

  • Catholic Theology
  • Islamic Theology
  • Protestant Theology

The corresponding religious affiliation only has to be proven for admission to the practical professional training (Referendariat).

Course structure

For the bachelor degree course ‘Education at Primary Schools’, 180 CP* are required.

*One credit point equals a workload of 25-30 hours for preparation, follow-up and attendance at classes.

Field of Study 1 (42 CP) – scientific and didactical contents

Field of Study 2 (42 CP) – scientific and didactical contents

Field of Study 3 (42 CP) – scientific and didactical contents

There are also the following:

Specialization in one of the three fields of study (10 CP)

The selection of the Field of Study in which the specialization is completed will be made at the latest by the end of the third semester of study through AGNES – Lehre und Prüfung online.

If you select a subject in Special Needs Education respectively in Special Needs Education with Focus on Sign Language Pedagogy and Hearing & Communication, you must complete your specialization in this.

General primary school pedagogy (8 CP)

Module 1: Foundations of General Primary School Pedagogy (8 CP)

Subject-related or profession-related supplementation (10 CP)

In the subject-related or profession-related supplementation, modules amounting to a total of 10 CP must be completed. These can be from the offerings of the General Elective Modules of other fields (hu.berlin/agnes) as well as from the field Education at Primary Schools.
If you select a subject in Special Needs Education, your subject-related or profession-related supplementation is already integrated into the respective subject. 

Educational sciences (11 CP)

Module 1: School as a pedagogical area of activity (11 CP)
If you select a subject in Special Needs Education:
Module 2: School as a pedagogical area of activity (Special Needs Education) (11 CP)

Both include an internship exploring occupational fields (6 weeks).

Language training (5 CP)

Module 1: Language training (5 CP)

Bachelor’s thesis (10 CP)

If you select a subject in Special Needs Education, your bachelor’s thesis will be written in this subject. If you do not, you are free to choose the subject in which you write your bachelor’s thesis.

Course objectives

Students will obtain knowledge in general primary school pedagogy, in educational sciences, language training as well as in three  primary school Fields of Study or two Fields of Study and two Fields of Special Needs Education. This knowledge includes the fundamentals of science, didactics, developmental psychology, learning theory and epistemology. Specialized knowledge will also be acquired in one of the three Fields of Study. In addition, students will expand their skills with a subject-related or pedagogical supplement. By examining the relevant scholarly literature and current research, they will learn about and reflect on central theories, principles and methods of primary-school pedagogy and didactics. One central objective is that students are able to plan, design, accompany, analyze and evaluate the learning and development processes of children in terms of their subject, learning theory and development psychology; and that they can do this in a context of inclusion that takes into account heterogeneity (for example, inter- and socio-culturality, level of development, gender aspects and German as a second language.) The successful conclusion of this course qualifies graduates for supporting activities in schools and school-related fields as well as those concerning the learning processes of children. It is also the prerequisite for admission to the master’s degree course ‘Primary School Teaching', suitable for students who wish to enter the teaching profession.

Why study Primary School Teaching at HU?

In all classes, attention is paid to the most recent research on primary-school didactics. The bulk of instruction occurs at the 'Primary School Workshop', a place where students encounter modern primary-school pedagogy and acquire knowledge and skills through self-determined, independent learning and study. Guided by theory and reflecting on theory, students not only design their own projects, but also accompany the learning process of primary-school pupils under learning-workshop conditions. In the classes, theoretical positions and theories are observed and evaluated in practical activities. As part of the instruction, students are incorporated into research projects, are intensively prepared for internships and just as intensively supervised in schools. At office hours and in supplementary counselling sessions during the operating hours of the 'Primary School Workshop', the staff of the Primary School Pedagogy Division actively supervise the preparation of instructional and practical events. Students and instructors also make use of this close practical contact in numerous Berlin schools.

Content of studies

The best way to find information about course content is to refer to the annotated university calendar. The module descriptions, the recommended study schedule and further details can be found in the course and examination regulations, available at www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 22/2015, 1st revision no. 39/2016, 2nd revision no. 46/2018, 3rd revision no. 45/2019, correction of the 3rd revision no. 78/2019, 4th revision no. 50/2020. There is also a useful reading version.

Modules for the Field of Study: German (42 CP)
 
Module 1 Foundations and conceptions of didactics for teaching German in primary school 9 CP
Module 2 Foundations of linguistics: word and sentence 10 CP
Module 3 Learning to read 8 CP
Module 4 Introduction to literary studies 7 CP
Module 5 The written use of language and reflection on language in primary school 8 CP

If you specializes in German, you must also complete:

Module 6: The text: theory, analysis and didactics (10 CP)

 

Modules for the Field of Study: Mathematics (42 CP)

New students can take an optional mathematics preparatory course.

Module 1 Arithmetic and its didactics 14 CP
Module 2 Geometry and its didactics 10 CP
Module 3 Data, coincidence and probability in mathematics instruction in primary school 7 CP
Module 4 Mathematics didactics in primary school 11 CP

If you specializes in Mathematics, you must also complete:

Module 5a: Specialization module – subject (5 CP) and
Module 5b: Specialization module – didactics (5 CP)

 

Modules for the Field of Study: General Studies (42 CP)

Core Modules (22 CP)
Module 1 Foundations of General Studies and its didactics 7 CP
Module 2 Conceptual foundations of General Studies and its didactics 7 CP
Module 5 Human, nature, environment – didactic perspectives for primary school 8 CP

Disciplinary Elective Modules for Social Studies and General Studies (10 CP)

Two modules must be selected:

Module 3a Introduction to geography 5 CP
Module 3b Introduction to history 5 CP
Module 3c Introduction to social science 5 CP

Disciplinary Elective Modules for Natural Sciences and General Studies (10 CP)

Two modules must be selected:

Module 4a Introduction to biology 5 CP
Module 4b Introduction to the scientific foundations of inorganic chemistry 5 CP
Module 4c Selective themes of physics 5 CP

If you specializes in General Studies, you must also complete one of the two modules:

Module 6a: Conceptions and theories of General Studies and its didactics (10 CP)
Module 6b: School and General Studies (10 CP) 

 

Modules for the Field of Study: Special Needs Education (62 CP)
 

For the subject of Special Needs Education, two subject areas of Special Needs Education must be selected.

Subject areas with one emphasis:

Sight
Mental development
Hearing and communication
Physical and motor development

Subject areas with two emphases:

Learning / emotional and social development
Language / emotional and social development

Modules with the selection of two subject areas with one emphasis:

Core Modules (52 CP)

Module 1 Foundations of special-needs and inclusive pedagogy 9 CP
Module 2 Psychological foundations 5 CP
Module 3 Introduction to subject area I 5 CP
Module 4 Introduction to subject area II 5 CP
Module 5 Theoretical foundations and current issues of subject area I 5 CP
Module 6 Theoretical foundations and current issue of subject area II 5 CP
Module 7 Didactic foundations of the subject areas 6 CP
Module 8 Diagnostic foundations 7 CP
Module 9 Counselling and cooperation 5 CP

Disciplinary Elective Modules (10 CP)

Two modules must be selected:

Module 10.1 Interdisciplinary expansion 5 CP
Module 10.2 Acquisition of cultural techniques under difficult conditions 5 CP
Module 10.3 Severe and multiple disabilities 5 CP
Module 10.4 Media pedagogy and multimedia instructional design, taking into consideration the special learning prerequisites of pupils with disabilities 5 CP
Module 10.5 Rehabilitation techniques 5 CP
Module 10.6 Augmentative and alternative communication 5 CP
Module 10.7 Communication with sensory impairment 5 CP
Module 10.8 In-depth special-needs-educational diagnostics 5 CP
Module 10.9 Free specialisation in Special Needs Education 5 CP
Modules with the selection of one or both subject areas with two emphases (62 CP):  
Module 1a Foundations of special-needs and inclusive pedagogy 7 CP
Module 2 Psychological foundations 5 CP
Module 3 Introduction to subject are I 5 CP
Module 4/6a Introduction to subject area IIa and the theoretical foundations 7 CP
Module 4/6b Introduction to subject IIb and the theoretical foundations 7 CP
Module 5 Theoretical foundations and current issues of subject area I 5 CP
Module 7a Didactic foundations of the subject areas 9 CP
Module 8a Diagnostic foundations 5 CP
Module 9 Counselling and cooperation 5 CP
Module 10.9a Free specialization in Special Needs Education 7 CP

 

Modules for the Field of Study: Special Needs Education with Focus on Sign Language Pedagogy and Hearing & Communication (62 CP)
 
Module 1 Foundations of sign-language and audio education 9 CP
Module 2 Communication and language training 10 CP
Module 3 Basis module German Sign Language (DGS) 10 CP
Module 4 Advance Module German Sign Language (DGS) 10 CP
Module 5 Medical and pedaudiological foundations 5 CP
Module 6 Psychological, sociological and historical foundations 8 CP
Module 7 Learning and support approaches 10 CP

 

Modules for the Field of Study: Sport (42 CP)
 
Module 1 Relevant academic core skills 7 CP
Module 2 Primary school-related teaching skills 7 CP
DMS 1

Games – playing – designing

 10 CP
DMS 2 Learning, understanding and teaching individual forms of movement 10 CP
Module 3 Successful sport instruction at primary school 8 CP

If you specialize in Sport, you must also complete:
Module 4: Specialization: movement, sport and individual (10 CP). 

 

Modules for the Field of Study: Catholic Theology (42 CP)
 

Core Modules (14 CP)

Module 1 Introduction to the Study of Catholic Theology 7 CP
Module 2 Basics of Didactics in catholic religious classes

7 CP

Disciplinary Elective Modules 1 (14 CP)

Choose Modules 3a + 4b or 3b + 4a.

Module 3a Basics of Biblical Theology 7 CP
Module 3b Basics of Biblical Theology 7 CP
Module 4a Basics of Historical Theology 7 CP
Module 4b Basics of Historical Theology 7 CP

Disciplinary Elective Modules 2 (14 CP)

Choose Modules 5a + 6b or 5b + 6a.

Module 5a Basics of Systematical Theology 7 CP
Module 5b Basics of Systematical Theology 7 CP
Module 6a Basics of Practical Theology 7 CP
Module 6b Basics of Practical Theology 7 CP

If you specialize in Catholic Theology, you must also complete one of the following modules:

Module 7 Religion, Globalisation and Pluralisation 10 CP
Module 8 Jesus Christus: god and man 10 CP
Module 9 Interfaith perspective 10 CP
Module 10 Theology – Bring god up to Speak 10 CP
Module 11 Man in the mirror of the Bible 10 CP
Module 12 Biblical languages 10 CP

 

Modules for the Field of Study: Islamic Theology (42 CP)
 

Core Modules (35 CP)

Module 1 Islamic Religious Education and the Tension between Islamic Theology and Religious Education 6 CP
Module 2 Arabic 8 CP
Module 3 Didactics of Teaching the Islamic Religion 7 CP
Module 4 Quran and Hadith 8 CP
Module 5 Diversity and Religious Pluralism in School and Extracurricular Contexts 6 CP

Disciplinary Elective Modules (7 CP)

Choose one of the following modules:

Module 6 Islam in Past and Present 7 CP
Module 7 Islamic Law and Religious Practice 7 CP
Module 8 Islamic Philosophy, Kalam and Mysticism 7 CP

If you specialize in Islamic Theology, you must also complete:
Module 9: Advanced Islamic Theology (10 CP)

 

Modules for the Field of Study: Protestant Theology (42 CP)
 
Module 1 Basics and Concepts of Religious Education 7 CP
Module 2 Introduction to Biblical Theology 7 CP
Module 3 Introduction to the History of Christianity 7 CP
Module 4 Introduction to Systematic Theology 7 CP
Module 5 Introduction to Religious Studies 7 CP
Module 6 Cooperating Protestant Theology 7 CP

If you specialize in Protestant Theology, you must also complete:
Module 7: Advanced Protestant Theology (10 CP) 

General Elective Modules for other bachelor’s courses and fields

Module 1: Children and childhoods (10 CP)

Master’s courses

At Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, you can apply for the continuation of your three selected subjects as part of a Master’s of Education (M. Ed.) ‘Primary School Teaching’ (see www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 123/2015, 1st revision no. 52/2016, 2nd revision no. 48/2019).

The subjects Protestant, Islamic and Catholic Theology will only be offered for the Master's programme from the winter semester 2023/24.

Transfer students should note the application prerequisites at: hu.berlin/zsp, pp. 90–94.

Addresses

Department of Education Studies (street address): Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 7, 10117 Berlin, tel. +49 30 2093-4119 (office), www.erziehungswissenschaften.hu-berlin.de

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (street address): Georgenstr. 36, 10117 Berlin, tel. +49 30 2093-66700 (office), www.reha.hu-berlin.de

Department of Sport Sciences: (street address): Philippstraße 13 (house 11), 10115 Berlin, tel. +49 30 2093-46030 (office), www.spowi.hu-berlin.de

Faculty of Theology (street address): Burgstraße 26, tel. +49 30 2093-91700, www.theologie.hu-berlin.de/

Institute for Catholic Theology (street address): Hannoversche Str. 6, tel. +49 30 2093-99090 (office), hu.berlin/kathol

Berlin Institute for Islamic Theology (street address): Hannoversche Str. 6, tel. +49 30 2093-99073 (office), www.islamische-theologie.hu-berlin.de

Counselling for Teacher Training: hu.berlin/lehramtsberatung, tel. +49 30 2093-70813, lehrerbildung@rz.hu-berlin.de

Course Advisory Services:

Counselling for Teacher Training as well as the Student Counselling for Teacher Training answer general questions about the B.A. ‘Primary School Teaching’ and the M.Ed. ‘Primary School Teaching’ (see also the Instructions on Making a Class Schedule).

Classification and recognition in advanced semesters

Applications:  How to apply, Information for prospective international students

Job market: www.berlin.de/sen/bildung/fachkraefte/lehrerausbildung

Version: June 2022
Back to Course catalogue

 

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