International Center for Ethics in the Sciences and Humanities (IZEW)

Ethical Competences in the Teaching Profession

Ethics courses in teacher training Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) within the framework of the accompanying studies in educational science

Students of the secondary school teaching profession who began their studies in the winter semester 2015/16 complete an accompanying educational science course which serves to prepare them for a scientifically sound and professional career in school and teaching. It is obligatory for all teacher training students.

Within the framework of this accompanying study programme in educational science, the Ethics Center coordinates elective courses under the title "Ethical Competences in the Teaching Profession" in order to enable teaching profession students to reflect on the ethical dimensions of their profession.

Performance records

Three ECTS points can be earned in the Accompanying Studies II course, including academic achievement. The credits are not graded.

Course offer

The courses offered by the Ethics Center as pdf:

Course offer WiSe 2021/22 

Thematic focuses

The focus is on the following topics: the reflection of values and norms that determine one's own teacher behaviour, the argumentative justification of decisions towards colleagues, parents and pupils and the discussion and consideration of different alternatives for action. The role of the teacher and the personal, professional and social responsibility associated with it are reflected in a theory-based way. Ethical questions of education and teaching - e.g. questions of justice, dealing with heterogeneity - are analyzed with the help of philosophical-ethical basic knowledge and dealt with in an action-oriented way. In addition, starting points are developed for addressing ethical issues, such as media education, sustainability, gender issues or responsibility in science, research and technology. The aim is to guide students' ethical reflection on their future tasks as teachers in a targeted manner and to develop it further in a well-founded manner.