Cross-faculty Courses: preparing for the Summer Semester 2011

Developping opportunities for

multi-disciplinary study at the University of Luxembourg

AK – 13/12/10

Ariane König & Lucien Kerger

Outline of this presentation

• UL commitments and prerequisites for ‘interdisciplinarity’ in education

• Implementation: winter semester 2010

– Degree programmes opened

– Registration procedure

– Cross-faculty courses offered

– Solutions to examination date conflicts

• Plans for expanded implementation: summer semester 2011

– Building on existing courses within degree pgrammes

– Creating a new category of ‘Non-Degree-specific courses’

Commitments

• Article 3 of the 2003 Law on Creation of the University foresees interdisciplinarity as an organising principle for the UL.

• The Plan Quadriennal (2010-2013) foresees elements fostering interdisciplinarity in education and research to be implemented over the next four years.

• The UL Action Plan on Sustainable Development (2010-2013) commits to promote interdisciplinarity in education.

AK – 27/09/10

Towards opportunities for ‘interdisciplinarity’ in education

At the University level we can more systematically foster:

Multi-disciplinarity by

- opportunities to gain perspectives from diverse disciplines – open ‘existing courses’ to students from other degree programmes (start winter semester 2010/2011).

Inter-disciplinarity by

- offering courses that by design provide tools for students to complement methods from one discipline and draw on another to develop improved problem-solving approaches (start summer semester 2010/2011),

- developing a long-term strategy with more diverse elements.

AK – 27/09/10

Pre-requisites for implementation

• Adapt the structure of degree programmes such that students can take the optional cross-faculty courses during at least one, or preferably several semesters – and gain ECTS towards their degrees for them.

• Work towards 6-10 ‘free ECTS’ in all Degree Programmes (suggested: min. 5% of total ECTS).

• Establish a comprehensive list of cross-faculty courses on offer is required to overcome possible scheduling constraints.

AK – 27/09/10

First implementation in the winter semester 2010• A stepwise approach: started by opening four Bachelor

programmes (at least one at each faculty).

• Study directors identified 29 existing courses across all faculties that were opened to students from other degree programmes.

• ACME was developed such that target students in the four Bachelor programmes could elect Cross-faculty Courses on ACME.

• A Cross-faculty course catalogue supported advertising to the target students in the four Bachelors.

AK - 27/0910

Degree Programmes offering Cross-faculty Course Options

AK – 27/09/10

Students in: Registrations ECTS

Bachelor in applied Management

Semester 3 & 5

No registrations No

Bachelor in Economics and Management

Semester 5

12 Yes

Bachelor in Education Sciences

Semester 1

No registrations

(too little time for organisation)

Yes

Bachelor in Engineering in computer Sciences

Semester 5

No registrations

(interests but scheduling conflicts)

Yes

Registration Process:

Registration Form for Cross-Faculty Course First Name, Last Name : ……………………………………………………………….. E-mail :…………………………………………………………………………………… Student ID No.: ………………………………………………………………………… Degree Programme you are enrolled in: …………………………………………….. Your First Choice: No. of the course (Overview Table): ………………………………………………… Title : ……………………………………………………………………………………. Degree Programme of origine: ………………………………………………………. Your Second Choice: No. of the course (Overview Table): ………………………………………………… Title : ……………………………………………………………………………………. Degree Programme of origine: ……………………………………………………….

Cross-Facutty-Course

1. Students choose a course that does not conflict with their obligatory schedule, by completing a registration form.

2. Registration form is handed to secretary of the degree programme the student is registered in.

3. The form is sent to the secretary responsible for the receiving course.

4. The receiving secretary confirms the registration in writing and adds the student to the course on ACME.

OVERVIEW TABLE OF CROSS-FACULTY COURSES - WINTER SEMESTER 2010/2011 -

Programme of origine Cross Faculty Course Lecturer Lang. ECTS Starting date

Days / Hour Campus / Room N°

Bachelor in Applied Management (professional)

Cadre institutionnel* Verdure Christophe Corentin Poullet

F 3 12.10.10 Lundi 12.15-13.45 Mardi 12.15-13.45

Limpertsberg, Salle BS 2.01 Salle BS 1.03

1

Techniques de contrôle et de gestion * Francis Ostermann F 2 21.09.10 Mardi 14.16.30 Limpertsberg, Salle BS 1.03

2

Techniques manageriales de la communication *

Jacques Grosjean F 3 23.09.10 Jeudi 14-16.15 Limpertsberg, Salle BS 1.03

3

Bachelor in Economics and Management (academic)

Analyse de l’Intégration Européenne Philippe Poirier F 2 28.09.10 Mardi 17.45-19.15 Limpertsberg, Salle BC 0.03

4

Bachelor in Engineering in Computer Sciences (professional)

Techniques d’expression 1* Madeleine Hittinger E 3 23.09.10 Jeudi 14.00 -18.45 (par groupes)

Kirchberg, Salle A 02 5

Introduction à l’informatique* Jean-Claude Aselborn F 4 21.09.10 Mardi 8.45-11.15 Limpertsberg, Salle BS 0.03 (sauf 21.09 salle BS 3.03)

6

Introduction à la vie professionnelle* Jean Junck F 3 23.09.10 Jeudi 14.00-15.30 Kirchberg, Salle A12

7

Mathématiques discrètes* Raymond Bisdorff F 4 20.09.10 Lundi 8.45-11.45 Limpertsberg, Salle BS 0.03/Info 1

8

Statistiques* Raymond Bisdorff F 3 23.09.10 21.09.10

Jeudi 9.45-12.15 Mardi 14.00-16.30

Limpertsberg, Salle BS 0.03 Kirchberg, A14-A15

9

AK – 27/09/10

Programme of origine Cross Faculty Course Lecturer Lang. ECTS Starting date

Days / Hour Campus / Room N°

Bachelor in European Cultures - English (academic)

English Studies: Linguistics in the real world

Jean-Jacques Weber/Agnès Prum

E

3 13.09.10 Jeudi 11.45-13.15 Walferdange Bât.VIII, salle Audimax

10

Bachelor in European Cultures - French (academic)

Langue Française : Approches théoriques et pratique de la stylistique

Sylvie Freyermuth F 4 23.09.10 Jeudi 10.00-11.30 Walferdange Bât. VI, salle 303

11

Etudes Littéraires : Introduction aux études littéraires, du Moyen Age au XVIIs.

Sylvie Freyermuth F 4 21.09.10

Mardi 11.45-13.15

Walferdange, Bât.VIII, salle Audimax

12

Bachelor in European Cultures - History (academic)

Comment se fait l’Histoire – Introduction à la science historique*

Denis Scuto F 3 22.09.10

Mercr. 11.45-13.15

Walferdange Bât.VIII, salle Audimax

13

Einführung in die Geschichtswissenschaft*

Sebastian Schmit D 3 22.09.10

Mercr. 11.45-13.15

Walferdange, Salle Piaget

14

The European construction process in a historical perspective, 1920 onwards*

René Leboutte E 3 22.09.10 Mercr. 10-11.30 Walferdange, Salle Piaget

15

Globalgeschichte* Jean-Paul Lehners D 3 22.09.10 Mercr. 11.45-13.15 Walferdange, salle Latomus, (sauf 6.10-1.12 salle Vygotsky)

16

Questions d’actualité économique dans une perspective historique*

Ferdy Adam F 3 24.09.10 Vendr. 14.15-15.45 Walferdange Bât. VI, salle 012

17

Histoire de l’Art : Art et photographie au XXe siècle*

Paul di Felice F 3 21.09.10 Mardi 10.00-11.30 Walferdange, Bât. VI, salle 312

18

Einführung in die Soziologie* Fernand Fehlen D 3 23.09.10 Jeudi 10.00-11.30 Walferdange, Bât. VI, salle 312,

19

Géographie du Luxembourg* Patrick Bousch F 3 27.09.10 Lundi 8.15-9.45 Walferdange, Bât. VI, salle 04,

20

AK – 27/09/10

AK 27/09/10

*enrolment subject to confirmation as the number of places available is limited.

Programme of origine Cross Faculty Course Lecturer Lang. ECTS Starting Days / Hour Campus / Room N°

Bachelor in European Cultures - Philosophy (academic)

Introduction historique à la philosophie Norbert Campagna F 3 27.09.10 Lundi 11.45-13.15 Walferdange, Bât.III, salle Latomus

21

Historische Einführung in die Philosophie / Philosophie politique

Dietmar Heidemann D 3 27.09.10 Lundi 11.45-13.15 Walferdange, Bât.VIII, salle Audimax

22

Geschichte der Philosophie: Antike Dirk Fonfara F 3 27.09.10 Lundi 14.15-15.45 Walferdange, Bât. X, salle 1.34

23

Introduction à la logique Roger Schmit F 4 22.09.10 Mercr. 10.00-11.30 Walferdange, Bât. X, salle 1.34

24

Einführung in die Ethik Katja Stoppenbrink D 4 22.09.10 Mercr. 14.15-15.45 Walferdange, Bât. X, salle 1.34

25

Ethique appliquée Norbert Campagna F 3 27.09.10 Lundi 14.15-15.45 Walferdange, Bât. X, salle 2.33

26

Geschichte der Philosophie: Mittelalter Dirk Fonfara D 4 27.09.10 Lundi 11.45-13.15 Walferdange, Bât. X, salle 1.34

27

Ästhetik Anja Solbach D 3 23.09.10 Jeudi 14.15-15.45 Walferdange, Bât. X, salle 2.34

28

Bachelor in Social and Educational Sciences (professional)

Individuum und soziales Handeln* Individu et comportement social *

Arthur Limbach D/F 3 22.09.10 Merc. 10.00-11.30 Walferdange, Bât. XII, Salle Bio 2/3

29

Gesellschaft und soziale Ordnung* Société et organisation sociale*

Ulla Peters D 3 20.09.10 Lundi 14.15-15.45

Walferdange, Bât. III, salle Latomus

30

Bildung und Erziehung* Sascha Neumann D 3 22.09.10 Mercr. 11.45-13.15 Walferdange, Bât. XII Salle Bio 2/3

31

Allgemeine Ethik und Berufsethik* Ethique et déontologie professionnelle*

Charel Schmit D/F 3 20.09.10 Lundi 16.00 – 17.30 Walferdange, Bât. III, Salle Latomus,

32

Interkulturalität und Diversität * Ulla Peters D 3 03.12.10 et 04.12.10

Vendr. le 03.12 de 10.00-17.30 et Samedi le 04.12 le 8.15-15.45

Walferdange, Bât. VI, salle 3.09

33

3 solutions to exam conflicts:

1. Continued evaluation: For some courses it will be possible to introduce exercises for continued evaluation during this lecture period, which would avoid the need for a separate exam.

2.   An exam on the course subject on Saturday 8 January 2011.  This option could be combined with option 1.

3. The student could be asked to write an extended essay either relating perspectives gained from the cross-faculty course to themes explored and methods used in her own degree programme.  Alternatively, students could be asked to describe the impact the cross-faculty course perspectives may have had on her career plans.  These essays could be written at home, rather than in an exam setting. This option could also be combined with option 1.

AK – 27/09/10

Implementation Summer Semester 2011 - Expansion of offer from Degree Programmes

• Open more Degree Programmes such that more students can gain cross-faculty perspectives.

– Some ECTS points reserved for optional courses help. All ECTS points gained in cross-faculty courses should also eventually count towards the degree.

• Open more courses existing within degree programmes as cross-faculty courses. They need to fulfill the following criteria:

– do not require specialised knowledge – are of general interest – are ready to receive a few more students (there may not be more than 1 or 2

additional students)

Please let ariane.koenig@uni.lu know if you would like to open your degree programme, or if you would like to open a course in your programme to students from other faculties.

Create a new category of ‘Open Courses’

• Create the category of ‘courses that are NOT associated with a Degree Programme of origin’

• Start with one trial course on ‘Social Responsibilities of Science for Sustainable Development’ for summer semester 2011 .

• Expand the offer in Winter Semester 2011 with COM ROM and Chinese.

Nomenclature in ACME: a first suggestion

• All courses open to all students fro the UL could be called ‘Cours Ouverts’ (à tout étudiant) (‘Open Courses’)

– Within ‘Open Courses’ there could be two sub-categories: (1) ‘Cours Facultaires’ (‘Faculty courses’ originating from a specific Degree programme) and

(2) ‘Cours Transversaux’ (‘Cross-faculty courses’ not originating from a specific Degree programme)

• The ‘Cours Transversaux’ could in future be grouped according to themes such as ‘Languages’ and ‘Sustainable Development’, etc

Acknowledgements

• Alain Gofflot• Arnaud Bourgain, Denis Zampunieris, Mark Wantz, Yang Schiltz

for opening their Degree Programmes such that students could elect cross-faculty courses

• Danielle Schwirtz-Lejeune

AK -27/09/10