The Concept of General Subject Didactics

This article is a summarized presentation of the concept of general subject didactics, based on the English-language monograph General Subject Didactics. Comparative Insights into Subject Didactics as Academic Disciplines (Vollmer & Rothgangel, 2024). First, the development of general subject didactics, which is still relatively new, will be outlined. Following this, selected results of a comparative empirical study between 17 subject-didactic disciplines are presented, before general subject didactics (drawing on theoretical reflections as well as on empirical insights) is characterized as a theory of subject didactics. Finally, the international dimensions of subject didactics are highlighted and discussed with the aim of intensifying intercultural and transnational exchange on questions and problems of subject-specific didactic research and its role and function in different educational contexts. This includes references to and discussions of other concepts such as “curriculum theory” and “pedagogical content knowledge.” The book presents contributions from four international invited experts (from Switzerland, Denmark, England, and Israel), reacting and commenting to the approach of general subject didactics.