In a time characterised by information overload, increased political polarisation, and complex global issues from poverty to climate change, developing strategies to navigate this complex landscape is of upmost importance. In this project course students develop such strategies for critical thinking with the main objective of enhancing their ability to strategically and rationally evaluate the information they are consuming in global teams, culminating in collaborative presentation projects showcasing their critical thinking skills.
About the course
Content
Initially, students will work towards acquiring a foundation and strategies for how to apply critical thinking in various situations, such as:
- in advancing their media literacy skills
- in evaluating quantitative and qualitative data
- in identifying biases and fallacies both within their own thought processes, as well as in their research material
- in working with multidisciplinary, multicultural groups
Students will utilize the learned tools hands on in regular discussion, interaction, and debate with other course participants. After determining the focus areas for the student projects, participants will work together in collaborative global teams, working towards researching, developing, and executing a presentation highlighting their critical thought revolving around one of ENLIGHT’s flagship areas.
The target participants and audience of the project are students of arts and science (for example students studying sustainable development at CEFR level B2 or higher according to the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment. Companion volume (2020).
The main objectives of the course are to enhance students’ online and in-person communication skills, develop and implement critical thinking resources, and successfully complete a collaborative international project.
Learning outcomes
Students who complete this course will have an overview of what critical thinking entails and how critical thinking skills can be implemented to enhance logical and rational decision making. Students will also train in further transferable skills such as team building, problem solving, and intercultural communication and collaboration. Through the use of facilitators, students will be guided and challenged in developing a logical and rational critical thinking mindset. The course topics (including the final collaborative presentation projects) will revolve around ENLIGHT’s flagship domains: Health and well-being, climate action, digital revolution and impact of digitalization, energy and circular economy, culture and creativity and equity. Students will have discussed and ruminated on all of the flagship areas over the span of the course.
The project work will enable students to enhance their online and face-to-face interaction and collaboration as well as their mediation skills. In a symposium format, students gain valuable experience holding their presentations and leading the following Q&A sessions. There will be ample time for reflection and feedback on their speaking performance and mastery of critical thinking skills, enabling students to leave the course knowing what tools they need to continue working on to reach their aims.
Programme
Phase 1: Building a critical thinking foundation and toolbox. International online collaboration on the ENLIGHT flagship domains, conducting collaborative research in the topic area of your choice for the group projects.
Phase 2: Guided finalization of the group projects, culminating in a symposium on the at Bordeaux University, Collège Sciences et Technologies, Talence. On-site event.
Phase 3: Debriefing and exchange of intercultural aspects.
Assessment
- Oral assessment
- Written assessment
- Listening assessment
- Participation assessment (TBC)
Lecturers
Kováč Stanislav
Tomáš Hamar
Raman-Gyetvai, Smita
Syms, Laura
Alexandra Reynolds
Youssef Benzoubair
Course dates
Onsite period: 01 - 06 Dec 2025 in Bordeaux.
Online period: 13 Oct - 19 Dec 2025. Online meetings will be once a week, most likely from 19:30-21:00 (CEST/CET). The exact day of the week will be determined at a later date.
How to apply?
Entry requirements: B2 level English
Students from all ENLIGHT partner universities are eligible to participate. Students will be selected at each of these universities separately. Students interested in the course need to apply via their home university. They should contact their faculty or programme to verify whether it can fit in their curriculum and to ensure academic recognition of the credits obtained. The home university will select the permitted number of students, inform the students as soon as possible, and then send these names to the host institution. Unsuccessful students will be placed on a waiting list and may get a place, if other universities do not use all their allocated places.
Students wishing to apply should have achieved at least a B2 level of English.
Students should apply directly to the following academic members:
- If from Bordeaux: Alexandra Reynolds
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - If from Goettingen: Syms, Laura
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. --- Application deadline for students from University of Göttingen extended until April 23, 2025 - If from Bratislava: Kováč Stanislav
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ECTS will be awarded by your home institution.
Please select your home university below and contact your ENLIGHT coordinator for further information on the application process or consult the linked information:
- University of the Basque Country:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - University of Bern: Application instructions for students at the University of Bern
- University of Bordeaux:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Comenius University Bratislava:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - University of Galway:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Ghent University:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (see information about BIP's) - University of Groningen:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - University of Göttingen:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. --- Application deadline for students from University of Göttingen extended until April 23, 2025 - University of Tartu: Application instructions for students at the University of Tartu
- Uppsala University: Application instructions for students at Uppsala University.