Popp, Daniela
Congratulations on passing the viva voce examination
on 14 June 2012.
Topic of the dissertation: "Religious education in Europe's multicultural society: Objectives of European teachers."
Scholarship according to the Bavarian Elite Promotion Act (1.6.2007 - 31.12.2008).
Contact address at the University of Würzburg:
Chair of Religious Education and Didactics of Religious Education
Institute of Practical Theology
Paradeplatz 4, 97070 Würzburg
Email to Mrs Popp
First supervisor: Prof Hans-Georg Ziebertz
Further supervisors:
Prof Friedrich Schweitzer (University of Tübingen)
Class in the Graduate School: Education and Culture
Doctorate in the Graduate School since SS 2008.
Abstract:
Religious education in Europe's multicultural society: Objectives of European teachers. A quantitative study.
Research context
One of the main tasks of schools is to prepare the upcoming generation for living together in society. One characteristic of modern European society is its religious and ideological plurality, which is reflected in the diversity of denominations, the increasing presence of non-Christian religions and the multitude of individual forms of religiosity. This plurality forms a starting condition for "learning to live together" that must be taken into account. The contribution that religious education in schools can make here is assessed differently in European countries: Depending on the country-specific situation, content and organisational realisation vary.
Research questions
An exploratory questionnaire survey among teachers is intended to provide new insights into the European field of religious education by taking into account the perspective of the teachers:
- What goals do European religious education teachers pursue in their teaching?
- Do teachers from different European countries favour different concepts of religious education?
- Do the teachers' personal attitudes (religiousness, value orientation) have an effect on their
ideal conceptions of religious education?
Research objectives
The detailed survey of teachers provides an empirical basis for proper reflection and discussion of the question of how religion can be taught responsibly in a multicultural society. In addition, the study will put the actual comparability of national contexts and forms of realisation of religious education to the test.
Method and implementation
Quantitative questionnaire survey:
The study is based on a survey of teachers of religion from 17 European countries, which was carried out by the TRES network funded by the EU Socrates programme. Twelve nations from different geographical regions of Europe were selected from the available data material (N=1800).
