Seminar with a heterogeneous group of students

Gender- and diversity-sensitive teaching

Heterogeneity as a challenge and opportunity
Seminar with a heterogeneous group of students
Image: Cecilie Arcurs, istock

The number of students is increasing—as is their diversity. This goes hand in hand with the greater heterogeneity of study and learning abilities and experiences, posing new challenges for teachers in the didactic, content-related, and organizational design of their courses and examinations.

In addition, imparting knowledge on how to deal successfully with social diversity in its different facets and in different social contexts is a key social competence in modern societies and, as such, is relevant course content for students.

Strategy 2025—Teaching
Code of Conduct: Rules for Digital Teaching at Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Advisory services and continuing education
Information material

General information on gender- and diversity-sensitive teaching

Gender and diversity in digital teaching

Gender- and diversity-sensitive teaching in the departments

Humanities, Social Sciences, Cultural Studies

STEM sciences

Life Sciences

Different aspects of social diversity addressed in teaching

Gender

Accessibility and inclusion

Anti-Racism

Social background

Migration und Integration

Coursework and examinations

Legal provisions on pregnancy and maternity protection for students

Since 2018, the Maternity Protection Act (Mutterschutzgesetz, MuSchG) applies to students as well. It includes the following provisions:

  • In accordance with Section 3, student participation in courses and examinations in the six weeks prior to the projected birth date and in the first eight weeks after childbirth is not permitted. Exceptions can only be made in light of a written waiver by the pregnant student/mother. The student can revoke this declaration at any time.
  • Once the University has been notified of a pregnancy, there will be a risk assessment of the pregnant student’s study conditions. If necessary, measures to compensate for disadvantages will be agreed upon.
  • If a student cannot take part in examinations due to pregnancy or maternity protection, an alternative form of examination within the framework of compensation for disadvantages will be agreed upon during consultation with the examination office or the examination board.

Learn more External link

Students with disabilities or chronic illnesses

Students with disabilities and chronic illnesses are legally entitled to compensation for disadvantages in their studies and examinations. Their final university certificate will not include any mention of their compensations.

The Deutsche Studierendenwerk's Studying with Disabilities – Information and Advice Center (IBS)External link offers detailed information and counselling on the specific regulations regarding compensation for disadvantages in studies and examinations for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses as well as an overview of current legislation.

 Learn moreExternal link

Further information and advice

For more detailed information and advice, please contact the Student Service Centre and the University’s examination offices.

E-Learning and blended learning
‘Gender and Diversity in Higher Education’ network

The ‘Netzwerk Gender und Diversity in der HochschullehreExternal link’ (Gender and Diversity in Higher Education Network) is an autonomous nationwide network of people who do strategic and/or operational work in the field of gender and diversity in higher education. It provides a forum for the exchange of information at regular network meetings at higher education institutions and for cooperation in terms of content and strategy. New members who bring expertise in the field of gender and diversity in teaching and are interested in continuous cooperation are welcome to join.

DFG—Implicit bias in assessment and decision-making processes
FORRT - Framework for Open and Reproducible Research Training

Accessibility

Accessible teaching
Planning accessible events

Friedrich Schiller University Jena wants all course and event participants to feel equally welcome and addressed, and to be supported to participate on equal terms.

That is why courses and events are organized in such a way that potential barriers and discriminating factors are addressed in advance.

Course and event organization

Accessible PDFs

Workshops

The Section for Staff Development regularly offers employee workshops on the accessible design of PDF documents as part of its continuing education programme.

You can find upcoming events in the Section for Staff Development's catalogue via the Qualifications PortalExternal link.

Information material

Accessible Office templates

Microsoft Office offers

Gender- and diversity-sensitive language

Accessibility in buildings

Overview [PDF, 126 KB]External link of accessible buildings at the University of Jena (as of November 2020)

Assistive technology for (more) accessible teaching

In order to assist people with disabilities to participate in courses and examinations, the University of Jena offers the following technical aids:

  • Lecture halls with technology equipment for live streaming and recording of courses Learn more de
  • Braille printer de in the printing center.
  • workstations for the visually impaired at the Thuringian University and State Library Learn more External link
  • electronic magnifiers (which can be connected to monitors)
  • 12” tablets with (removable) WiFi stick for the visually impaired to individually enlarge presentations as well as for use as ‘empty devices’ (cheat-proof) in exams
  • large print keyboards with large, high-contrast keys for the visually impaired and those with manual dexterity issues (compatible with the 12” tablets)
  • speech recognition software

Please contact the Office of the Vice-President for Early Career Researchers and Diversity Management—Gender Equality and Diversity Management for more information.

Digital accessibility consulting service

Gender and Diversity as Course Content

University courses on gender and diversity

In Friedolin, there is a separate category for courses on gender equality, sex, gender, diversity and (anti-)discrimination in order to provide interested students with an overview of courses offered across all faculties.

To register your course in the Friedolin online course catalogue, please contact the office of the Thuringian Competence Network for Equal Opportunities External link (Thüringer Kompetenznetzwerk Gleichstellung, TKG) at the University of Jena.

‘Gendering MINT digital’ portal—Open Educational Resources (OER)

Information and advice

Service Centre for Higher Education Didactics (LehreLernen)
Evelyn Hochheim (Head of the Service Centre)
Carl-Zeiß-Platz 1
07743 Jena

Information on university regulations and organizing studies and examinations

Student Service Centre
Opening hours:
Monday–Friday
09:00–11:00