Didactics of history

Professional committee - members

prof. PhDr. Róbert Letz, PhD.

doc. PhDr. Miroslav Kamenický, CSc. (FM professor)

doc. Mgr. Pavol Matula, PhD.

Mgr. Miriam Viršinská, PhD. (FM of associate professor)

prof. PaedDr. Katarína Žilková, PhD.

prof. PaedDr. Dušan Kostrub, PhD.

doc. PhDr. Marian Groma, PhD.

Study referent:
Ing. Ľubica Jenčopaľová, jencopalovafedu.uniba.sk

Student Study Advisor:
Mgr. Lucia Barbara Izsófová, izsofova1uniba.sk

Coordinator for international mobility and Erasmus+: 
prof. Pavol Matula, PhD., matulafedu.uniba.sk

BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME. PROGRAMME:
The aim of the doctoral study programme in didactics of history is to provide a comprehensive as well as specialised education within the framework of the latest educational trends in the field of general didactics and the related field of didactics of history. The study programme will provide systematic knowledge of the phenomena of pedagogical reality, educational processes and their factors within the didactics of history, as well as knowledge of the ways of understanding pedagogical reality, of pedagogical and didactical approaches in the field of didactics of history, of concepts and knowledge of dealing with various pedagogical situations.
In addition to pedagogical knowledge, the study programme contains knowledge that corresponds to the scientific knowledge of the profile educational areas or specialisations.  
The acquired professional profile in the didactics of history study programme therefore means that the graduate of the programme

in the field of theoretical knowledge and its understanding:
< demonstrates a systematic understanding of his/her field of study, so that he/she is able to search for and apply the scientific knowledge of his/her own specialisation as well as the related knowledge of related scientific disciplines and to use it in his/her own professional work  
< is familiar with current theoretical models of cognitive socialisation and human learning
< is able to scientifically research, evaluate the state of school history education and bring his/her own highly professional solutions to problems in the field of didactics of history as well as in the field of broader conceptualization of historical knowledge in terms of history,
 < can safely identify the latest trends of world scientific and innovative developments in their own specialisation in the didactics of history and in related fields, critically review new information and thus contribute to the development of the theory and application of the didactics of history through innovative practices

in the field of practical abilities, skills, competences:
< presents his/her factual, conceptual, procedural and metacognitive knowledge in a comprehensive and sophisticated manner
< is able to acquire new scientific knowledge by rigorous procedures, to publish it in reputable publishing houses and thus contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of scientific knowledge
< is able to communicate in an academic and professional context the process of preserving and transmitting historical consciousness and historical culture.
< is able to follow several planes of school historical education (normative plane, reflexive plane, the real state of educational processes and the developmental line of didactics of history) in his/her scientific and research activity
< masters modern technical forms of presentation of his/her results in such a way that they point to the possibilities of further practical development of his/her field
< is able to present his/her contribution in teamwork with respect to the whole, can manage teamwork in solving research tasks  
< has the basic skills (competences) to professionally prepare future history teachers
< correctly applies ethical and social aspects of scientific work   

The student's study plan determines the time (recommended study paths) as well as the content sequence of courses (continuity of courses and their content), the method of teaching, forms of evaluation of study results, workload expressed in credits. The student draws up the study plan on the basis of clearly defined rules in accordance with the conditions of the study programme and in accordance with the Study Regulations of the Faculty of Education of Comenius University in Bratislava. The student determines his/her study plan for the following period of study by enrolment. He/she enrols in subjects of such credit value and in such composition (compulsory subjects, compulsory elective subjects and elective subjects) that he/she can fulfil the conditions for enrolment in the next part of the study in the control stage of the study. In the academic year in which the student plans to leave the course of study, he/she shall enrol in courses of such credit value and in such a composition that, by successfully completing them, he/she will fulfil the conditions for leaving the course of study. 

The curriculum of the full-time didactics of history study programme includes a group of compulsory, compulsory elective and elective courses. The study plan also contains other necessary components.

The study programme Didactics of History in the third degree of higher education organically follows the study programme Teaching History (combined) in the second degree of higher education. It provides the scientific education necessary for research in the field of history teaching at all levels of education, including adult education, as well as its application to school and educational practice. The Didactics of History study programme is based on the autonomous position of history within the limits of the specific history-history relationship, using the functions, goals and cognitive apparatus of both disciplines in close synergy with the pedagogical-psychological disciplines to prepare experts for research and the creation of effective models of conceptualisation of history (historical knowledge) in the school educational system (i.e.: in the creation of models of history). It perceives the actual didactics of history as a boundary discipline and thus uses primarily the methodological procedures of historical disciplines and their epistemologies; it presents the autonomous methodological procedures of its own didactics in close correspondence with the methodological procedures of historiography, pedagogy and psychology, and also emphasizes the close links to other social science disciplines (especially philosophy and ethics).

The doctoral programme concentrates on the theoretical aspects of the construction of the didactics of history, nowadays understood as an indispensable tool for the construction of a social and personal historical culture of an advanced knowledge society. It wants to prepare experts - specialists for professional-pedagogical research of environments, tools, methods and needs of history teaching, for research of concepts of implementation of history in the current and future cognitive process, and research of their influence on the development of relevant functional literacy, thus preparing creators of new conceptual proposals of functional historical culture of society.

The specialization itself parallels and intertwines the following in the study part:

• deepening students' knowledge of current theoretical problems of historical research and ways of solving them

• deepening of students' knowledge of current development tendencies and theories of history teaching, modifications of the history - history interrelationship and the ways in which they are solved in specific partial parts of the school system at home and abroad in the scientific part:

• the student's own scientific research on an open scientific problem in the field at a level meeting European criteria

• cultivation of the student's ability to formulate his/her own conclusions of scientific work, to communicate them competently, to discuss and present them at scientific conferences, to publish them in scientific journals.

The group of compulsory subjects includes subjects that are also profile subjects. All courses are six-credit courses. For the compulsory subjects, the student receives a total of 36 credits (excluding the dissertation examination and the defence). The compulsory courses include courses on the development of a research project, qualitative and quantitative research methodology, educational research methodology in school history, current issues in general and national history, and didactics of history in perspective. Within the framework of compulsory and profile courses, the student will acquire competences that are directly related to the graduate's profile. The group of compulsory elective courses consists of Group A and Group B. The student must obtain a minimum of six credits in each. Five three-credit courses are included in the group of elective courses. This group completes the range of subjects on offer and gives the student the opportunity to choose his/her study path. The student must obtain 98 credits for the study part and 60 credits for the scientific part. A detailed description of the obligatory and compulsory elective courses of the Didactics of History study programme - i.e. a detailed specific description of their content, objectives and desired results of their completion - is given in the individual Course Information Sheets.
The full-time study programme also includes a pedagogical part, which is an integral part of this study. Doctoral students, in agreement with the supervisor, are involved in pedagogical activities: participation in the teaching process, creation of teaching aids and study texts, supervision of works presented at student scientific professional activities.
The final examination in the third (doctoral) programme of the specialisation didactics of history consists of a dissertation examination defined by the study programme and the individual study plan and the defence of the dissertation. The graduate proves that he/she has mastered the scientific methods of research in the field of history teaching, has an overview of the current state of research in the field at home and abroad, is able to create, implement and pedagogically investigate new concepts of history teaching and their impact on the development of historical culture.

MOBILITY:
Comenius University has the opportunity to send students abroad for study or internship in the framework of its partnerships (Utrecht Network, SYLFF, some bilateral agreements) to 63 foreign universities in over 30 countries in Europe and beyond. Even wider opportunities covering practically the whole world exist under other schemes, in particular under the Erasmus+ programme and activities under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Slovak Republic, implemented through SAIA. These are in particular: the Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies (CEEPUS), the National Scholarship Programme (NSP), the Austria-Slovakia Action, the Visegrad Fund, etc. New mobility opportunities within the broader Erasmus+ programme are offered by the ENLIGHT University Alliance, under which Comenius University in Bratislava has established educational cooperation with eight European universities in 2020: the University of Bordeaux, Ghent University, University of Groningen, University of Göttingen, University of Uppsala, University of Tartu, National University of Ireland, University of Galway and University of the Basque Country. The universities are committed to offering their students a variety of learning formats, ranging from short-term physical and virtual mobilities in the form of summer schools or 'living labs', to joint study programmes, building on accredited programmes of study in each country and recognising each other's courses.

The Erasmus+ coordinator working at the Department helps applicants to draw up a study plan at a foreign university that is a prerequisite for recognition of studies abroad at the University.

Detailed information on students' participation in international mobility for individual academic years is provided in the Faculty's annual reports. Administrative support is provided to students at the faculties by the Office for International Relations, which is dedicated to advising on student exchanges and internships and to promoting international mobility.

BACKGROUND:
Students' views are monitored through anonymous surveys provided by the faculty (currently after each semester), and specific surveys, e.g. in the past and this year a survey on distance learning, the results of which are publicly available (https://uniba.sk/elearning/) and are used as a basis for long-term planning of teaching, syllabus development, etc.   

Students' views on the quality of the curriculum are monitored in the existing SPs both during ongoing teaching and at the end of each semester. Based on a bottom-up strategy, in order to foster innovation and an individual approach to each group, lecturers are free to choose their own monitoring method.

Due to the small number of all PhD students of the SP Didactics of History during the period, feedback is mainly obtained through individual interviews and discussions with students. As students are mostly co-investigators of research grants led by supervisors, communication takes place almost on a daily basis. In working meetings, seminars, besides research problems, doctoral issues are also addressed. For PhD students in the external form, this personal communication is rarer and takes place in the form of e-mail communication, telephone or online consultation (MS Teams, etc.). In addition, the Department of History is in contact with students through social networks, on the platform of the Kingdom of Historians students are not only informed but also have the possibility of direct communication with teachers.

Doctoral students' and graduates' comments on the SP:

Mgr. Mgr. Ivan Stodola, internal PhD student
Doctoral studies in didactics of history at the Faculty of Education of the Comenius University in Bratislava provide excellent opportunities to increase the level of professional education, improve career opportunities, but above all, it is an entry into the scientific and academic activity of the student. The Department of History at the Pedagogical Faculty of Charles University offers as one of the few history departments in Slovakia the opportunity to study didactics of history, which is a key discipline dealing with the social communication of historical information used for educational purposes, while being located at the borderline between historical and educational-psychological sciences. It is the location of the discipline that is a great advantage, allowing the student and graduate of the PhD programme to move in the field of classical historiography as well as in the broad areas of educational research and practice. This breadth offers the doctoral student a wealth of research, conference, and publication opportunities at home and abroad. The doctoral programme is supervised by experienced historians, educators and authors of several textbooks used in secondary and tertiary education in Slovakia. The Faculty of Education, which also offers Bachelor and Master programmes, allows the student of the PhD programme to actively participate in the pedagogical process towards future teachers, which is one of the closest reference groups of the field of study. In addition to his/her own research, the PhD student has the opportunity to participate in the research tasks of other members of the department and can be included in a wide range of national and international grants. In order to support his/her individual research activities, resulting from the topic of the dissertation, the PhD student has the opportunity to apply for a Comenius University Grant, which is intended for young researchers.
The Department regularly organises scientific conferences and publishes a peer-reviewed scientific journal twice a year, which can be the first opportunities for PhD students to present their professional contributions and research. The Department and the Faculty offer courses with an important methodological focus, as well as courses aimed at improving professional communication in various foreign languages, which are essential prerequisites for scholarly activity.  
The study program, implemented in both internal and external formats, is suitable for practicing teachers of history as well as for a wide range of people involved in the communication of historical information in a variety of public and private institutions.

Mgr. Jaroslav Durec, internal doctoral student
I evaluate the PhD study programme as standard for this third level of study. The individual teaching subjects from the general basis and especially from the field of study are mostly closely focused on the elaboration of a specific dissertation. This is to say that the content of the individual courses is chosen in such a way as to assist the doctoral student in designing and subsequently carrying out scientific research activities. Personally, I am satisfied with the curriculum so far. For example, the personal sessions with Dr. Bock and Dr. Tonkova have helped me a lot in solving various didactic questions. In other words, the curriculum through the courses offers ample room for discussion of current problems in the didactics of history.

PaedDr. Michal Veselei, external PhD student
The didactics of history study programme, as a third-level university study, significantly expanded my knowledge of the design of pedagogical research (these were all-faculty courses on qualitative and quantitative research, research project design, as well as pedagogical research within the didactics of history). Furthermore, this study provided me with interesting information about the perspective and current issues that are being discussed in the departmental and academic community regarding the teaching of history. In this regard, the so-called compulsory courses were offered adequately. Perhaps it would be appropriate for students (not only departmental students) to include a compulsory elective subject in the curriculum (e.g. history, the past in cross-curricular relations, e.g. the use of historical artefacts in education, the phenomenon of living history, etc.), which would enable credits to be earned in this part of the curriculum more closely linked to its focus.

Mgr. Róbert Odler, PhD., graduate of external studies
Within the framework of the doctoral studies at the Department of History, which I completed in 2016-2020, several specificities can be found. For me personally, as a student, the help of the lecturers was noticeably more beneficial than it had been in the previous two stages of my university studies, which I also completed at the aforementioned department. Even though I did not always follow all the advice and recommendations that were given to me by them, I took them as another possible perspective on the issues that not only my dissertation, but also the study itself was concerned with. However, at pivotal points and moments in the study and writing of the thesis, I tried to make the most of this help. Another specificity that stands out in my mind is the novelty inherent in the study. Considering that we were probably the first class to be allowed such a study at KH, it was noticeable in places that we were, as it were, pioneers of a system in which there were still possible errors, inconsistencies or imperfections to be found. I do not take this as a negative aspect, as I believe that our generation has managed to catch more than one "beauty flaw", but I am convinced that it would have given me more confidence if I, as well as the possible next years, had already had some of the path of study and insight already trodden in it.

Mgr. Petra Gereková, internal PhD student
I appreciate my doctoral studies at the Department of History, Faculty of Education, Charles University in Bratislava because it allows me to publish in the departmental journal Verbum historiae, to further my education through several courses and to participate in various conferences at home and abroad. Teaching undergraduates in seminars is also a great opportunity to practice pedagogical skills or to test research questions arising from the dissertation.

Mgr. Miroslav Neumann, PhD., graduate of internal studies
I perceive my doctoral studies (didactics of history) at the Department of History of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University very positively. As a history enthusiast and a graduate of history combined with English, this opportunity allowed me to apply my previous knowledge in a new dimension. During my studies, I had to take several courses or seminars where the difference between high school and university was markedly felt, not only in terms of approach but also in terms of the level of knowledge. Publishing was encouraged, as was independent research. I participated in departmental events and perceived student life from a different angle. Overall, I rate my PhD studies very positively. Thanks to the experience and knowledge I have gained, I have had no problem getting a job and I am trying to use it as much as possible. I am also arranging closer cooperation between the department and the school where I am currently working.

Mgr. Eva Baumann, PhD., a graduate of internal studies, a teacher of the C.S. Lewis Bilingual Grammar School and a graduate of the combined School of History Teaching at the Faculty of Arts in Bratislava, evaluates the doctoral study programme as good overall, and proposes to include in the programme a course that deals with modern research in the field of history didactics abroad, which would familiarize students with current foreign research and trends in the field of history didactics. It emphasizes the importance - the obligation - of the doctoral student to work at least in part in a school or institution where he or she encounters the didactics of history in practice.

The Faculty of Education should help to provide such opportunities. It is questionable what skills and expertise a graduate in history didactics will acquire if he/she has not taught history (apart from teaching practice as part of his/her studies). In Dr Baumann's opinion, the theoretical overview and insight is a strength of graduates, but she recommends strengthening the ability to communicate and write professional articles in a foreign language and placing even more emphasis on research that reflects the current situation in the teaching of history and responds to problems and challenges in practice. Research outputs should be usable in practice and should help to make the teaching of history more effective, providing insights that really advance knowledge in the field.

STUDY PLAN - full-time form

STUDY PLAN - part-time form

The basic condition for admission is, in accordance with Section 56 (3) of Act 131/2002 Coll., the completion of a 2nd degree study programme or a study degree pursuant to Section 53 (3) in one of the following fields:
 
1.01.1 Teaching of academic subjects (combined teaching of history)
2.01.7 history
2.01.8 general history
2.01.9 Slovak history,
or related fields

Applicants must successfully pass an entrance examination in which they demonstrate the depth and adequacy of knowledge required for doctoral study. The entrance examination is a competitive examination.

The composition of the committee is proposed by the departmental committee and approved by the Dean of the Faculty. The minimum number of members of the examination committee at the admission interviews is 3 persons - the chairperson and two members of the committee. Based on the agreement of the guarantors, the chairpersons of the subject committees - the maximum number of points for the whole entrance examination is 200 points.

The examination in a foreign language is written and focuses on the translation of a professional paper on the subject of the study programme and is evaluated independently by a person who has been approved as an examiner in the examination board. The other parts of the examination shall be conducted orally.

The marking is as follows:
1. max. 100 points - dissertation project and debate on the dissertation project, methodological preparedness of the candidate.
2. max. 30 points - foreign language examination (or award of points for the state examination in a foreign language),
3. max. 50 points - other areas of the entrance examination (prerequisites for PhD studies, knowledge of the required master's degree, scope and depth of literature studied),
4. max. 20 points - publication activity and other factors worthy of consideration - work experience, connection to a national or international project, study abroad, placement in faculty and national competitions of the SVOUČ, praise of the Rector and/or praise of the Dean for the Bachelor's thesis, Master's thesis or outstanding results during studies, successful participation in competitions related to the relevant study programme, work in a civic association ).

The graduate of the third degree of university studies of the didactics of history programme will be able to competently perform the activity of a university teacher of didactics of history or the work of a professional research and development worker in research and application departments and workplaces of state and public administration. In these, he/she will be able to accentuate the importance of social communication of historical knowledge used for educational purposes in contexts in which the past gives meaning to the present and implies the future.

Qualifications obtained by completing the third degree of the study programme Didactics of History and learning outcomes meet the sector-specific professional expectations for the performance of professions for which the study programme prepares graduates as a priority, namely:  
 
- within the framework of knowledge, the graduate has a systematic, coherent and comprehensive body of knowledge in the field of didactics of history, including knowledge and understanding of relationships to other parts of the field and to related disciplines has a deep understanding of the theories, sophisticated methods and procedures of science and research at a level corresponding to the international criteria of didactics of history,
- within the framework of skills, can actively acquire new knowledge and information, critically analyse and review it, and use it in theory and practical applications for the development of the field of didactics of history,
- can apply and creatively improve and develop theories and research, development and innovation procedures in the field of didactics of history, 
- can identify global scientific and innovative developments in the field of didactics of history, and in related fields, and use them in the direction and development of the field, integrating knowledge from different areas,
- within the framework of competences, be able to plan and initiate the solution of complex problems/projects, including the formulation of objectives, means and methods in the field of development in the field of didactics of history,
- can assess and modify own professional activity in a broader context, in relation to the long-term impact in the field and in terms of social, ethical, environmental other criteria, is ready to formulate information on the outputs and conclusions of scientific, research and development work at the international level and manage large-scale research tasks and teams.
 
In accordance with the Slovak Qualifications Framework (SQF) a graduate of Grade 3 Level 8 of the SQF will obtain the following qualifications and will be qualified for the following occupations and professions in accordance with the SQF:

1. qualification code: U2330001-00445, SK ISCO-08: 233 Teacher in secondary schools, Occupation title: teacher of academic (general education) subjects in secondary school; 
2. qualification code: U2310003-00429, SK ISCO-08: 2310003 university teacher, occupational title: university teaching assistant
3. qualification code: SK ISCO-08: 1223999, occupational title: research and development worker
4. qualification code: SK ISCO-08: 1223001, occupational title: research institution manager
5. qualification code: C2359006-0049, SK ISCO-08: 2359006, Occupational title: Teacher for continuing education

In the didactics of history study programme of the full-time doctoral studies there are no courses of pedagogical/professional practice, however, the department cooperates with schools in case of opportunities for pedagogical research and various studies from the school environment. The Faculty of Education of Comenius University has concluded a contract with all schools where students carry out their practice, in the case of doctoral studies it is possible to carry out research investigations at the schools mentioned above.
 
The list of primary and practice schools is regularly updated. The Faculty of Education of University has current cooperation agreements with schools where students of the History Teacher Training Programme (combined) carry out their teaching practice: 

• Gymnasium L. Novomeského, Tomášikova 2, 821 07 Bratislava,

• Gymnasium A. Einstein, Einsteinova, 21/13, 851 01 Bratislava,

• 1st Private Grammar School in BA, Bajkalská 20, 821 08 Bratislava,

• Private Gymnasium, Vážska 32, 82107 Bratislava,

• Primary School, Malokarpatské nám. 1, 84103 Bratislava,

• PRIMARY SCHOOL P. Marcelyho, Drieňová 16, 82103 Bratislava,

• Primary School with the Kindergarten of M. R. Štefánika, Grosslingova 47, 811 09 Bratislava,

• Secondary School, Tilgnerova 14, 841 05 Bratislava,

• Primary School, Cádrova 23, 831 01 Bratislava,

• Primary School SNP, Ostredková 14, 821 02 Bratislava,

• Primary School, Pankúchova 4, 851 04 Bratislava,

• Primary School Vazovova 4, 811 07, Bratislava,

• Primary School, Za kasárňou 2, 831 03 Bratislava,

• Primary School Hlboká cesta 4, 811 04. Bratislava,

• Gymnasium of Mother Alexia, 4A, Jesenského 6143, 811 02 Bratislava,

• Gymnasium Hubeného 23, 831 53, Bratislava,

• Primary School and Kindergarten Dubová, 3609/1, 8011 04 Bratislava,

• SZŠ Wonderschool, 1891/34, 84101, Bratislava,

• SZŠ Felix, Krásnohorská 14, 851 07, Bratislava,

• Pan-European Primary School, Sklenárova 1, 821 09 Bratislava,

Current training schools:

• Gymnasium Hubeného 23, Bratislava

• Hlboká cesta Primary School, Bratislava

• PRIMARY SCHOOL P. Marcelyho, Drieňová 16, 82103 Bratislava,

• Primary School Tbiliská 4, 831 06 Bratislava,

The Department of History, which provides the didactics of history doctoral study programme, also cooperates with other institutions: 

• Bratislava City Museum

• Historical Museum of the Slovak National Museum of Culture

• Museum of Transport

• Institute of Memory of the Nation

The Department of History cooperates closely with similar and related institutions abroad:

• Zakład Historii Kultury i Edukacji Historycznej, Instytut Historii, Wydział Historyczny Uniwersytet Jagielloński

• Institute of Czech History, Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague

• Institute of History, Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University in Brno

• Uniwersytet im. Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Kalisz

• Nemzeti Közszolgálati Egyetem, Budapest

• Institute of Contemporary History of Slovenia

• Faculty of Arts Sveučilišta u Zagrebu

• Collegium Carolinum, Munich

• History Faculty of Arts, University of Ottawa

• Letz_VTC_EN.pdf
• Letz_VUPCH_EN.pdf
• Kamenicky_VTC_EN.pdf
• Kamenicky_VUPCH_EN.pdf
• Matula_VTC_EN.pdf
• Matula_VUPCH_EN.pdf
• Nemes_VTC_EN.pdf
• Nemes_VUPCH_EN.pdf
• Virsinska_VTC_EN.pdf
• Virsinska_VUPCH_EN.pdf