Participants will focus particularly on key learning and innovation skills. These skills, known as the 4Cs, include critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. The development of these skills goes hand-in-hand with valuable practice on delivering an important speech to an international audience.
About the course
Content
Critically analysing information to generate knowledge is the underlying objective of a university education. In all areas of studies, students are required on a daily basis to decimate complex ideas to understand basic principles and solve problems. Critical thinking is an important skill to acquire to this end. It enables us to question assumptions and identify the gaps in our knowledge. At the same time, it encourages us to consider multiple perspectives and to “think outside the box”. A powerful tool to enhance critical thinking is to engage in international collaborations, so as to broaden our perspectives and worldviews. Such pluricultural interactions challenge us to actively evaluate our preconceptions and biases.
In this intensive project-based course coordinated by the Centre for Language and Transferable Skills (ZESS) at the University of Göttingen, the Université de Bordeaux, and Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave, we aim to bring together students from the collaborating universities (first virtually and then in-person) to analyse a current global topic of their choice, such as sustainability, activism, innovation, urban planning, and equality.
The main objectives of the course are to develop important critical thinking resources as well as to accomplish seamless online- and in-person communication. As a part of this collaborative international project, the participants will work towards preparing, developing, and executing a Ted-Talk style speech on their chosen topic. The course will conclude with invaluable discussions on the selected topics and in-depth reflection on effective intercultural communication.
Learning outcomes
- A greater awareness of a speaking and presentation “tool-box” that will help participants reflect on their current skills, as well as on the work they still need to do to reach their aims.
- Improved transferable skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and team building.
- An enhanced ability to successfully plan, participate in, and learn from being a part of an international symposium. This platform allows course participants to reflect on how to better their overall rhetoric and presentation effect before choosing to raise the stakes.
- Enhanced online and face-to-face interaction, as well as mediation skills.
Programme
- Phase 1: International online collaboration on the topic of your choice
- Phase 2: Symposium on the selected topics at ZESS, University of Göttingen (on site event)
- Phase 3: Debriefing and exchange of intercultural aspects
Assessment
Oral presentation of the selected topic & discussion about symposium outcomes.
Lecturers
Dr. Johann Fischer (Director of ZESS / Universität Göttingen)
Laura Syms (ZESS/ University of Göttingen)
Smita Raman-Gyetvai (ZESS/ University of Göttingen)
Dr Alexandra Reynolds (Associate Professor of English and Linguistics / Université de Bordeaux)
Joanne Plaskett (Language and Virtual Exchange Coordinator / Université de Bordeaux)
Dr Stanislav Kováč (English Language Coordinator / Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave)
Dr Tomáš Hamar (Director of IMTFL / Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave
How to apply?
Interested? Please let us know your motivation to join this international collaboration project by submitting a motivation letter, your CV, and a certificate of a B2-Level of English to the local coordinator (see "contact").
The application deadline has been extended! Please apply by 5th of May 2023 (please check for internal deadlines at your university).
Contact
- Laura Syms (English Language Coordinator / Universität Göttingen):
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Smita Raman-Gyetvai (English Language Coordinator / Universität Göttingen):This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Dr. Johann Fischer (Director of ZESS / Universität Göttingen):This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Dr Alexandra Reynolds (Associate Professor of English and Linguistics / Université de Bordeaux):
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Joanne Plaskett (Language and Virtual Exchange Coordinator / Université de Bordeaux):This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Dr Stanislav Kováč (English Language Coordinator / Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave):
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Dr Tomáš Hamar (Director of IMTFL / Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave):This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Students from other universities are welcome to apply.