Dear students,

Based on the module handbook for the accredited teacher training programme 'Special Educational Support', we have developed a curriculum for the specialisation in Emotional and Social Development to show you which topics you will cover when in your studies, which topics will become more differentiated and in-depth, which will be completed when and when new topics will be added to make it easier for you to find your way around your studies.

Please note that a curriculum like this is always in a process of development and should be adapted to current changes and requirements - so nothing that you will find below is 'set in stone'.

At present, the focus in the first semesters is initially on dealing with possible theories to explain what is called 'behavioural disorders' in the academic discussion. This makes sense insofar as you should be familiar with a subject before you start working with it. These theories are deepened in the 2nd semester and then form the basis for all further reflections on diagnostics, support, didactics, counselling or relationship management. The aim with regard to the discussion is to familiarise you with different perspectives, as theory - as in all other fields - does not exist from our understanding, so it is helpful to open up your own view of behavioural disorders as comprehensively as possible.

You will learn about the complex field of identity and personality development over the entirety of your Bachelor's degree, always from different aspects (e.g. self-concept, self- and action control, information processing) and with an emphasis on difficulties (e.g. in the socialisation process) and specific problem situations (e.g. stigmatisation processes), as they often occur in children and adolescents with emotional and social developmental difficulties.

After discussing theories to explain behavioural disorders, the next step is to recognise them. Professional recognition forms the entire field of diagnostics with the examination of classifications, diagnostic procedures and tests in order to gain experience in special educational diagnostics at the end, which serve as the basis for support plans to be developed in educational practice.

In this context, you will also deal with initial approaches to support concepts, which are a further focus of the Master's programme.

The main focus of your Master's degree programme will initially be in the field of didactics, i.e. dealing with pupils with emotional and social development needs at school. The aim here is to familiarise yourself with constructive pedagogical-didactic models, concepts, teaching principles and methods that will enable you to establish professional relationships with your pupils in order to support them in their individual development needs. This is also done with a view to your practical semester, which awaits you in the 2nd Master's semester.

As counselling skills are required of you in the context of inclusive school development processes in practice, this is also a focus of the Master's degree programme. This is not only about dealing with different counselling concepts, but also learning counselling techniques that can help you in dealing with pupils, parents or guardians, colleagues and other cooperation partners.

In order to expand your professional practice, we will deal with professional relationship management at the end of your Master's programme. Here, our focus is primarily on the students, taking into account experienced stigmatisation, power and violence structures or traumatisation, but also with a view to creating a supportive 'therapeutic' environment.

In addition to all the theoretical impulses and the examination of a wide variety of positions in the field of special educational support with a focus on emotional and social development, it is particularly important to us to enter into a stimulating, respectful exchange with you at all times - always looking ahead or referring back to your practical experiences that you will make or have made as part of your aptitude and orientation internship, your professional field internship and your practical semester.

So: ask questions, scrutinise, doubt, reflect, criticise, be amazed, immerse yourself in the discussion with me and with each other.

We look forward to it and wish you an exciting study programme at all times!

The curriculum for the Bachelor's degree programme can be found here (PO 2022) and here (PO 2016).

The curriculum for the Master's programme can be found here.