Controversy

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Controversy (or principle of controversy) describes a principle of political didactics , according to which everything that is controversial in science and politics must also appear controversial in class . Opposites should not be ignored or concealed, but neither should they be radicalized or played down. The aim must therefore be to design lessons from multiple perspectives .

However, there is agreement that the foundations of a free democratic basic order are among the non-controversial things, as there is a consensus of values ​​on this. For example, right-wing extremist statements must not be tolerated.

Together with the prohibition of overcoming or indoctrination and the aim that students should be able to independently analyze political issues and form a judgment, controversy is part of the Beutelsbach Consensus , which was formulated in 1976.

Role of the teacher

Depending on how the class is composed, the teacher has different tasks. If the argument is homogeneous, the teacher must also show the students other points of view and, through provocative remarks, encourage them to look at certain things from a different perspective. In a learning group with heterogeneous arguments, this is no longer necessary, so that the teacher acts as a moderator. Dealing with an apathetic, indifferent learning group is problematic. Here, the teacher must succeed in motivating the students to cooperate and possibly provoking them to form an opinion.

Embedding in class

The controversial principle can be implemented in the classroom using various methods, such as the simulation of public forms of conversation, the pro-con debate, a talk show or other simulation games and disputes. On the other hand, it is detrimental to the goals of controversy to ignore objections in the learning group, to cast off them ironically or to persuade deviating positions: It is important to recognize the respective other opinion, precisely in their disagreement, as nevertheless equally.

literature

  • Tilman Grammes : Controversy. In: Wolfgang Sander (Ed.): Handbook of political education. 2nd edition, Wochenschau, Bonn 2007.
  • Hartmut Müller: Values ​​education in vocational training. Handout from the Cologne District Government, Cologne 2005.