Pedagogy

The goal of this Bachelor’s degree study programme is to prepare experts qualified to work in education and development with people of all age groups. The graduate is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competences acquired through the study of theoretical and applied disciplines, emphasizing a broader theoretical-pedagogical and human-science basis on one hand and application on the other. The graduates are prepared to continue their studies in a Master’s degree study programme building on the knowledge, skills, and competences acquired in the Bachelor’s degree study programme.

The study programme in pedagogy focuses on developing the competences relevant to planning, preparing, and undertaking empirical research and on developing the abilities and skills to explore a diversity of issues in education through theoretical study. Graduates can use their widely applicable competences in working with specialized texts and advanced communication skills in a wide variety of jobs as well as in lifelong learning.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• describe and explain the fundamental theoretical and methodological concepts and approaches in pedagogy, didactics, and related disciplines
• describe the main pedagogical concepts and directions in history and evaluate current trends in the Czech system of education as well as educational systems elsewhere in the world
• characterize the key theories of teaching and learning
• explain methodological processes used in educational research
• describe, explain, and apply knowledge concerning communication in education
• explain and draw on principles of socialization and personality development
• use knowledge from leisure time pedagogy, social pedagogy, or family pedagogy
• explain principles, methods, and procedures in adult education and human resources development
• describe and explain up-to-date approaches to ICT use in education
• apply communication and presentation skills

Graduates of the programme find employment in offices and institutions dealing with education and upbringing at all levels, including in non-profit organizations. They can work in institutions providing formal and non-formal education.

In their current form, the study programme curricula include practical training. Parts of some courses take place in schools. The practical focus is strengthened by including the Motivation Build-up course and the Animation course, the latter focusing on experiential education.

The recommended length for a bachelor’s major thesis is 70 000 to 120 000 characters.

The text should keep to the one main topic expressed in the title. It should present the current state of knowledge of the topic. Source literature should be up-to-date and representative. The principal arguments should be cogent. The text should be terminologically consistent and terminology should be appropriate. The thesis should have clear conclusions.

The analysed sample and method used should be sufficiently described. A quantitative or qualitative method should be appropriately selected. The presentation of results should be understandable. The interpretation and discussions should be appropriate and correct. Tables should be done well, and be clear and understandable.

An integral part of the thesis is an illustration of data material collected (in the thesis appendix). For qualitative research, this involves the insertion of three to five pages of interview transcript or field notes; for quantitative research it involves the insertion of three to five scanned filled in questionnaires. The data must be made anonymous, i.e. actual names must be replaced by pseudonyms. Where other research procedures and methods are used, the illustration of data material collected should be consulted with the thesis supervisor.

Text: clearly and logically structured with suitable choice of chapters and meaningful linking of theoretical and application or empirical sections. Major and minor theses are written in first person singular.

Theoretical section: demonstrates the ability to work independently with a representative sample of Czech and foreign language literature, expresses his own substantiated position.

Empirical section: demonstrates the ability to understand the research undertaken, shows methodological consideration and the ability to understandably, meaningfully and clearly present the results of research.

At the Department of Educational Sciences, graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in pedagogy or a similar discipline can continue their studies in a Master’s degree study programme in pedagogy, social pedagogy and counselling, or andragogy. Graduates can also choose from among pedagogical or related degree study programmes at other universities or other institutions of tertiary education throughout the Czech Republic.