Twelve-year-experience with a post-graduate university course ''civic education for teachers''. Structure assessment and prospects

Starting with the historic background of Civic Education in Austria and the roots of its marginal role, the concept of a post-graduate university course in Civic Education for Teachers is described. The post-graduate course is based on the decree of Civic Education (1979). In a third step we explore the basic attitudes of a democratic Civic Education, e.g. understanding school as a democratic institution, thinking about problems and their social relevance,learning from experience and reflecting on gender issues. As a forth point, we reflect on the experience of the first twelve years. We also ask what impact it had on the teacher's work at school. Finally we look at perspectives for further development.