Catholic Religious Education as subject in the Bachelor's degree programme in Special Needs Education
(Bachelor of Arts)

Profile

Course type

Undergraduate studies (2 Subjects bachelor)

Standard Course Duration

6 semesters

Course Start

Winter semester

Language of Instruction

German

Language Requirements

German HZB: none
International application: German C1
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Special Requirements

The proof of a special educational internship or equivalent practical work in educational work with people with disadvantages or disabilities is compulsory.

Admission

Unrestricted admission

International

Stay abroad possible, but not obligatory.

Short Description

Catholic Religious Education is offered as a second subject (or supplementary teaching subject) within the bachelor's programme Special Needs Education. As first subject Special Needs Education is studied. The first two semesters are reserved for the contents of the first subject. The courses of the second subject will be added by the third semester.

The public has (once again) become aware of the phenomenon of “religion” – often in its conflicting, dubious form. Against this backdrop, the aim of the degree programme in Catholic Theology is to give students the skills required to (self-)critically assess contemporary religious phenomena in culture, society and the Church on the basis of Christian self-understanding and its core categories of creation, revelation and salvation. Consequently, the degree programme serves to elaborate the identity of Christianity and its ability to accept pluralism. Students critically explore the historical and contemporary testimony of Christianity; discuss how it contributes to shaping culture and society; and reflect on religious influences in their own biography.

At Leibniz Universität Hannover, students of theology enjoy ideal learning conditions, thanks to the small study groups in seminars and lectures, and the intense individual support and mentoring provided by the teaching staff. Cooperation with the University of Hildesheim means that a wide range of different theological disciplines are represented, namely by a total of five professors and additional staff, which is unusual in the field of teacher training. Student representatives from the department also act as important contact persons in addition to the teaching staff. Their tireless commitment contributes significantly to the informal atmosphere in the Catholic Theology Section.

Further information on the website of the Institute of Theology (German language only)

Course Content

Biblical theology: the origin of the Christian faith in the Holy Scripture
Historical theology: the history and experience of the Church, from its origin to the present
Practical theology: the relevance of faith in the life and actions of people today
Systematic theology: the rational accountability of faith in the context of the question of truth

Course Structure

Students start taking Catholic Theology in the third semester. First of all, students take four basic courses in Biblical Theology, Historical Theology, Systematic Theology and Practical Theology, each of which opens up a specific perspective on theology as a science of the Christian faith, offering first insights into theological issues, methods and content. By selecting special topics, students expand on their theological problem awareness at a later stage of the programme. In this connection, one area of specialisation is issues concerning religious education.

Combinations

Recommended Abilities

An interest in theological and philosophical issues: the question of God, the question of man, and the meaning of life
An interest in the wealth of experience provided by the Bible and in historical, social and political issues and problems
Willingness to assess and discuss scholarly texts
With regard to a potential career in teaching: an interest in working with children and/or young people and in developing teaching and learning processes

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor’s degree qualifies graduates to enter a profession. Depending on their chosen profiles, special needs educators can work, for example, in early intervention, preschool speech support, counselling, as well as disability, integration and family support. Supportive educational work at regular or special needs schools is also conceivable. Students require this Bachelor’s degree to be able to embark on a consecutive Master’s degree programme.

Possible Further Degree Programmes

Admission requirements and application

Admission Requirements

The Bachelor’s degree programme in special needs education generally is admission restricted.

As second subject some subjects in the Bachelor’s degree programme in special needs education are restricted (Applied Linguistics (non-school-based), German Studies (school subject: German), History, Arts, Music, Social Studies and Science ("Sachkunde") and Sports (school subject: Physical Education) and others are admission-free (Protestant Theology (school subject: Protestant Religious Education), Catholic Theology (school subject: Catholic Religious Education) and Mathematics).

The exact admission requirements can be found in the admission regulations:

Application Deadlines

1 June - 15 July of the year for the winter semester

First-year students (application for the 1st semester) can only apply for the winter semester.
Those continuing their studies (application for higher semesters) can also apply for the summer semester (1 December - 15 January.

The following applies to applications from non-EU countries:

VPD from uni-assist OR a passed assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung) of a preparatory foundation course (Studienkolleg) is required.
Applications for the Studienkolleg must be submitted by 15 July.

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