Program Overview

Transformative Education in its European Context: In the Footsteps of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Heidegger provides students with the opportunity to read the philosophical and educational works of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Heidegger in the contexts in which they wrote them. All three of these thinkers believed that the transformation of the soul through their writings was an educational project and and endeavored to help their readers understand what constituted human flourishing. By reading their texts and visiting the educational sites that influenced their writings, students will be invited to understand what a transformative education can mean for them as students, and for those who hope to be K-12 teachers or professors, what a transformative education might mean for their future teachers. In addition to studying these three thinkers, students will also be given opportunities to visit K-12 and college classrooms in order to see how contemporary education looks like in Denmark and Germany--both of which have very different models than America. In summary, students will experience the transformative power of the writings of these thinkers, and they will explore the transformative power of education more broadly, and they will experience the differences in educations between America, Denmark and Germany.​​​​​​​

• Sponsoring Department: Education; Philosophy​​​​​​​
• Program Leader(s): Dr. Mark Jonas
• Term: Summer 2025
• Program Dates: TBD

Course Offerings

Students earn 4 credit hours.

EDUC/PHIL 220 - Transformative Education in its European Contexts: In the Footsteps of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Heidegger (4 credits)
This course examines the educational philosophies of Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche and Martin Heidegger in the contexts in which these authors wrote. The emphasis is (a) on the ways their philosophies are meant to transform the thinking and feeling of their readers, and (b) the ways their philosophies can guide teachers in their attempts to transform students. Further emphasis is placed on the relationship between their ideas and the cultural context in which they were written.

Learn More

If you have questions or would like to know more about the Transformative Education in its European Context: In the Footsteps of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Heidegger program, contact Dr. Mark Jonas, Associate Professor of Education, for further information.

For Program Year Specific Information and Instructions on How to Apply

To apply, visit GoGlobal, Wheaton College's registration system for off-campus study and international travel, research, and internships.