Teaching Enamel Interdisciplinary

From chemical compounds to material research discourses between artistic positions, jewelry art, and functional enamel

Research Theories and Methods in Subject Didactics (KKP) in cooperation with the Institute for Chemistry Education (University of Vienna) with the Institute Director, Univ.-Prof. Mag.a. Dr.in Elisabeth Hofer, together with Paul Iby (University of Applied Arts, Center for Didactics for Art and Interdisciplinary Education)

The course "Research Theories and Methods in Subject Didactics: Teaching Enamel in an Interdisciplinary Way" focuses on current subject-relevant didactic approaches and approaches to the teaching of art and design in interdisciplinary interaction with chemistry, and delves into these topics in greater depth. The focus is on the students' individual research theories and approaches, as well as general challenges of material research learning processes in interdisciplinary fields. Based on the curricula, subject-specific features, developments, and trends will be examined in light of current research-relevant topics, taking into account the project ideas of students at the University of Applied Sciences and the University of Vienna. The fundamentals of academic writing are assumed for this seminar and can only be covered in the course as examples (reference: 1x1 of Academic Writing http://www.fachdidaktik.or.at/links/).

Research question: How can material science learning be taught in schools, using enamel as an example, situated between art and chemistry?

The course will be held in blocks of 10 sessions. Five sessions will be held by the Center for Didactics at the University of Applied Sciences (led by Paul Iby, including an excursion to the MAK Vienna) and five sessions will be held at IDC, the chemistry laboratories of the University of Vienna.

40% active participation (20% including speed concepts), interim presentations (10%), and final presentations (10%)
60% seminar paper: This must be approximately 20,000-25,000 characters including the workbook (body text only, including spaces, excluding appendices) and must include at least ten references.
If the course involves the development of a small artistic work, the following applies:

40% active participation, interim presentations (documentation of the artistic and design work and the work steps)
60% written contribution per seminar paper of 15,000 characters including the workbook. This includes the documentation and didactic contextualization, embedding, and reflection of the considerations for teaching the work and its process (idea, concept, project, lesson plan, methods, materials, etc.), including a toolbook (learning objectives of my project, didactic reserve as an InDesign file on the corresponding base and listed in the appendix to the written contribution), and the artistic work, clearly photographed, included in the written work.

For both options: For a positive overall assessment, both sections (collaboration/presentation and written contribution) must be successfully completed.

Last possible submission date: February 28, 2026

Submissions after the deadline cannot be considered; the seminar must be repeated.

Notes:

1) Prior attendance of the courses: Introduction to Subject Didactics, Translation 1, and Translation 2 is strongly recommended. 15 students can be admitted to the course. We ask for your understanding and refer to the alternative course offering.

2) Consistent attendance (maximum two excused absences). More than three absences must be made.

3) If the submission deadline cannot be met due to health or other personal reasons, an email must be sent to the course instructor by the last possible submission date. Only in this case can a grace period of 14 days be granted.

4) In the case of serious illness/included needs, we ask students to contact Ms. Veronika Merklein [Student Disability Officer] (merklein@uni-ak.ac.at).

Course registration: By Sunday of the week of the kick-off date of the respective semester.

In case of deviations, the tender text in German applies.