Digital International General Studies
DISG courses in previous semesters
Following you will find an overview of all courses and events offered by the Digital International General Studies (DISG) in the past semesters.
If you would like to have your course included in the course catalogue of the Digital International General Studies, please send an e-mail to studium-generale@h-brs.de.
In particular, lecturers from our partner universities are invited to list their courses with the programme Digital International General Studies.
More information on current courses and events of the Digital International General Studies can be found here.
Courses and lectures in the summer semester 2023
Becoming Intercultural Diversity Ambassadors (BIDA): 2 combined electives!
Lecturers: Eileen Küpper and Christine Freitag in cooperation with H-BRS Diversity Management Team, Mount Kenya University in Kenya, the Institute of Finance Management in Tanzania and the University of Zambia in Zambia
Dates:
- 14 October 2022 (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, CEST): internal Kick-off meeting with H-BRS students at Cafe Blau in Bonn
- 4 Nov 2022 (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, CEST) and 5 Nov 2022 (10 AM - 5:00 PM, CEST), online
- 26 Nov 2022 (10 AM - 5:00 PM, CEST), online
- 2 weeks spring school in Kenya and Tanzania (18 February - 5 March 2023)
- 1 week summer school at H-BRS (7 - 14 May 2023)
Frequency: The course combines 2 electives (winter semester 2022/2023 and summer semester 2023), which must be taken both together!
Online block sessions from November to December 2022; additionally, a 14-days Spring School in Kenya and in Tanzania from Mid-February till the beginning of March 2023 and a 7-days Summer School in May 2023 at H-BRS, when the students from Africa will visit us.
Language: English
ECTS: 6 ECTS
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments as well as students from Mount Kenya University (Kenya), the Institute of Finance Management (Tanzania) and the University of Zambia (Zambia).
The number of H-BRS students is limited to 10 in total. Together with the students from Africa, a total of 40 students can participate in the course.
Assessment: Active participation in the online phase, Spring School and Summer School; development of grassroots action in the area of inclusion and equity to be implemented in consultation with the Diversity Management Team at H-BRS. Final group presentation of these actions during the Summer School.
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from Mount Kenya University, the Institute of Finance Management and the University of Zambia will register at their respective university; registration period: 22 August 2022 from 12 PM (CEST) till 11 September 2022 at 11:55 PM (CEST)
Course Description:
During the online phase (Nov-Dec 2022) all 40 participating students will be grouped into five mixed teams of 8 students (2 students from each university) who will work together virtually. Constructing diverse groups promotes the development of cross-group relationships as well as reduces out-group biases and in turn, reduces discrimination.
Each team will choose a diversity dimension e.g. gender, culture, health etc. and compare and contrast how this dimension is highlighted within their own country and institution, what barriers exist and what measures are taken to encourage equity and inclusion. The focus will be on what they can learn from each other and how this information can be transferred to their own institutions and communities. This will be, in part, taught online by lecturers from all 4 participating institutions as well as involve group research and coordination. It will be hosted and coordinated by H-BRS.
In January 2023 a joint intercultural workshop will be held virtually for all course participants to wrap up the online phase.
The Spring School will take place for 3 weeks in total (Feb/Mar at MKU + IFM in 2023) with all 40 students, who will participate in joint classes, workshops and field trips. The hosting students will be study buddies for the guest students.
The Summer School will take place in Germany in May/June 2023 for 2 weeks for all course participants. This will be organised and coordinated by H-BRS in conjunction with the Diversity Management team and International Office. Students will participate in joint classes, workshops, field trips and the hosting H-BRS students will be study buddies for the guest students. The visiting staff will provide guest lectures and support. This event will be scheduled in alignment with the Respect project which is held annually at H-BRS to raise awareness for diversity and inclusion both at the university and within the local community with a myriad of events. The course participants will contribute to this event in various ways e.g world cafe, impulse workshops etc. The course wrap-up will include final group presentations, feedback, dissemination proposals and a closing ceremony.
This is a blended learning course with both online and face-to-face sessions where the students work in intercultural teams online and then meet their intercultural partners in both Sub-Saharan Africa and Germany. This method allows students to have more autonomy over their learning and time management, increases student engagement as well as improving accessibility and inclusion.
The desired impact of this course for the students is to develop and enhance both transversal skills (intercultural, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication etc.) and future skills (digital, inclusion, civic engagement etc.). This will enable the students to tackle future work challenges in a global, intercultural and inclusive world and further their personal development and self- confidence. The blended mobility approach will expose students to different viewpoints, knowledge, and teaching methods. It will help them to learn to adapt to new situations and to work in diverse teams developing their coping strategies for any challenges that may occur. One key element is to increase the awareness of privilege and the barriers that exist that prevent inclusion and how these can be removed. While long term physical mobility is strongly encouraged by all of the participating institutions, this course offers a more flexible physical mobility duration to ensure that it is accessible to students from all backgrounds, circumstances and those with fewer opportunities. It will also help to increase future employment opportunities as students who have taken part in institutionalised mobility often have an easier entry into the labour market, with better jobs and higher responsibilities compared with their ‘sedentary’ peers. Students will be granted 6 ECTS for the participation in this course.
Students are trained to be multipliers for intercultural diversity and encouraged to act as ambassadors at their universities and in their local communities by developing grassroots measures of inclusion and equity in collaboration with diversity management and knowledge transfer offices at their local university.
International Career Building
Lecturer: Jens Andreas Faulstich (https://www.hs-koblenz.de/profile/faulstic)
Dates: Thursday, 2:15 PM - 3:45 PM (CEST), online; 13 April - 6 July 2023
Frequency: 2 hours per week
Language: English (CEFR level B2 or higher)
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in. However, the amount of time spent on the course usually corresponds to 3 ECTS.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: Active participation in 80% of the synchronous class sessions. Active participation in scheduled small-group meetings in order to prepare for project-based assignments. Five individual online submissions (one per sub-topic, 20% each) as described in class and via online platform.
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration period: 20 February 2023 from 12 PM (CEST) till 12 March 2023 at 11:55 PM (CEST).
Course Description:
- Strategic planning of international projects and activities in academic contexts (short-term/long-term; student exchange or internship; thesis projects in other countries and cultures)
- Effective job search methods in different regional and cultural environments (CV / resume writing; anti-discrimination policies in the HR sector; the role of social platforms and internship/job search engines in international career development)
- Interview practices and simulated job interviews
- Selected assessment centre tasks
- Culture at work (hierarchies; written and unwritten rules of conduct; formal and informal communication styles)
After completing this course, students:
- know about job search methods in selected countries and cultural environments
- are able to write convincing letters of motivation, CVs and resumes
- are familiar with typical interview questions and are able to answer them in English
- are familiar with selected assessment centre tasks
- are aware of some cultural differences they need to expect and know some strategies for successful integration in an international work environment.
Presentation and Rhethorical Skills (PARS)
Lecturer: Daniel Seibert
Dates: Tuesday, 3:15 PM - 5:45 PM (CEST), Course starts on 11 April, online
Frequency: 3 hours per week, depending on number of participants, class usually finished after two thirds of term
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in. However, the amount of time spent on the course usually corresponds to 3 ECTS.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programs and English B2 or comparable knowledge.
Assessment:
- Formal and informal introductions
- Impromptu talks
- Dramatic reading and voice recording
- Group presentations (informative, persuasive or entertaining)
- Analyze speeches & presentations
- Offer constructive oral and written peer feedback
- Reflect on own language usage and communication skills in an international context
- Complete all content review quizzes on LEA
Students are required to attend all sessions to pass the course as well as completing all assigned tasks (impromptu talk, mp3 recording and voice power speech, slides, mini presentation, final presentation, online quizzes as well as peer feedback and self-reflection).
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration period: 20 February 2023 from 12 PM (CEST) till 12 March 2023 at 11:55 PM (CEST).
Course Description:
Effective oral communication skills and use of rhetorical techniques are important in business communication. The goal of this course is to offer the basis for using language effectively to inform or persuade an audience using English as a lingua franca. Special emphasis is given to language usage for an international audience. Hands-on exercises to practice different communication situations are offered in this workshop-style course.
Content
- Introduction to the communication process
- Verbal and nonverbal communication (English in an international context)
- Body language and voice training
- Opening and closing a presentation
- Planning and structuring a presentation
- Impact techniques (Great speakers)
- Informative and persuasive presentations
- Visuals and use of appropriate media (PowerPoint, Prezi, video, audio)
- Bringing it all together: delivering a presentation
- Learning to give constructive, peer feedback
- Learning to cope with anxiety and language issues
Competencies to be acquired
Students
- demonstrate confidence in speaking English in different communication scenarios
- learn to prepare, organize, and deliver an impromptu talk
- learn to conduct professional presentations. Work in teams and to prepare spontaneous informative short presentations.
- prepare a presentation for an international audience using English as a lingua franca.
- analyze great rhetorical speeches and techniques
- reflect on own work and offer constructive, peer feedback.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures from instructor and students, short presentations, and rhetorical exercises; group presentation, oral and written peer and instructor feedback as well as student reflection.
Quality Control
During class the students receive feedback from peers and the instructor on the different assignments as well as guided reflection based on different feedback, discussions, and personal reflection. Each student has their own personal learning goals and can reflect on the overall performance. A feedback questionnaire offers opportunities to reflect on the group dynamics, content, teaching style and overall rating of the course, which is offered as the basis of the final feedback.
Social Entrepreneurship: Creating value for society and environment
Lecturer: Kerstin Schickendanz
Dates: Wednesday, 2:00 PM - 5:15 PM (CEST), online
5.4.2023, 2:00 PM - 5:15 PM
12.4.2023, 2:00 PM - 5:15 PM
19.4.2023, 2:00 PM - 5:15 PM
26.4.2023, 2:00 PM - 5:15 PM
3.5.2023, 2:00 PM - 5:15 PM
10.5.2023, 2:00 PM - 5:15 PM
31.5.2023 (Examination Date), 2:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Frequency: 4 lecture units every week
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in. However, the amount of time spent on the course usually corresponds to 3 ECTS.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: Attendance and Participation (30%); presentation of own social innovation and self-reflections (40%); Self-Reflections (30%)
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration period: 20 February 2023 from 12 PM (CEST) till 12 March 2023 at 11:55 PM (CEST).
Course Description:
The emergence of new social, environmental and demographic challenges, which are of a complex multidisciplinary character, has driven society's consciousness of the issue of social innovation worldwide. Social innovation is the creation and implementation of a novel concept or idea that benefits society through community, business, institutional and/or behavioural change.
This module will guide you in understanding how processes of social innovation work and how to develop yourself to play a role within them. You will learn how social innovation processes are used to address critical societal challenges. Social innovations have a significant role in overcoming and resolving these problems and challenges. International student teams collaborate and apply their education and expertise to address current global social challenges in this course.
Whether you want to change the world or help make your neighbourhood a better place to live, this module will help you achieve your desire to make a difference. You will learn how to develop creative context-relevant innovations to address different sectors, such as employment, gender, poverty and the environment.
Learning and teaching approach:
In-class lectures will introduce students to the core theories, tools and approaches underpinning social innovation, and students will discuss and debate different strategies that might apply to featured social innovations.
Teamwork will focus on participants' engagement, creativity, and teambuilding. The workshop's output will result in presenting the team's social innovation idea and its implementation strategy. A final highly developed concept to share online.
Certificate Programme E-Tutor
Lecturers: Lena Wiesler and colleagues from H-BRS E-Learning team
Dates: Thursday, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (CEST) (6 sessions) online, some advanced modules will be offered on Fridays
Frequency: 6 block sessions
30.03.2023: Introduction & getting to know each other (Thu, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
face-to-face session on campus in Sankt Augustin
Basic modules:
06.04.2023: Didactics & Presentation
20.04.2023: Conception & Interactive Learning Modules (Rise + LEA learning module)
11.05.2023: Course Design in LEA
Advanced modules
25.05.2023 (Thu) 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (CEST): Test & Quiz in Teaching
26.05.2023 (Fri) 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (CEST): Structure online teaching through video conferences
15.06.2023 (Thu) 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (CEST): Voice & Podcast (in presence in Sankt Augustin!)
22.06.2023 (Thu) 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (CEST): Open Educational Resources & Copyright
23.06.2023 (Thu, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM): Final session & presentation of results
Language: German
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: Active participation in the online sessions (100 %), timely submission of self-prepared learning materials, possibly timely submission of learning materials revised on the basis of feedback.
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration period: 20 February 2023 from 12 PM (CEST) till 12 March 2023 at 11:55 PM (CEST).
Course Description:
The acquisition of knowledge in the areas of media design, digital learning environments and media didactics strengthen the students' media competence and enable them to design and implement digital teaching-learning settings.
Students must complete the three basic modules (compulsory modules)
- Didactics & Presentation Workshop
- Conception & Interactive Learning Modules
- Course Design in LEA
as well as at least two advanced modules.
What competences can you acquire?
Structured and didactically sensible approach to the conception and production of digital learning materials as well as knowledge of the software presented (PowerPoint, ILIAS, Articulate Rise).
How do we want to work (teaching and learning methods)?
- Regular Webex meetings
- Theoretical input
- Group work
- Working together with presented software
- Use of digital tools for interaction & collaboration (Miro, Slido)
- Information and exchange in the LEA course
Further information: www.h-brs.de/en/bib/e-tutoren-zertifikatsprogramm
Courses and lectures in the winter semester 2022/2023
Becoming Intercultural Diversity Ambassadors (BIDA): 2 combined electives!
Lecturers: Eileen Küpper and Christine Freitag in cooperation with H-BRS Diversity Management Team, Mount Kenya University in Kenya, the Institute of Finance Management in Tanzania and the University of Zambia in Zambia
Dates:
- 14 October 2022 (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, CEST): internal Kick-off meeting with H-BRS students at Cafe Blau in Bonn
- 4 Nov 2022 (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, CEST) and 5 Nov 2022 (10 AM - 5:00 PM, CEST), online
- 26 Nov 2022 (10 AM - 5:00 PM, CEST), online
- 2 weeks spring school in Kenya and Tanzania (18 February - 5 March 2023)
- 1 week summer school at H-BRS (7 - 14 May 2023)
Frequency: The course combines 2 electives (winter semester 2022/2023 and summer semester 2023), which must be taken both together!
Online block sessions from November to December 2022; additionally, a 14-days Spring School in Kenya and in Tanzania from Mid-February till the beginning of March 2023 and a 7-days Summer School in May 2023 at H-BRS, when the students from Africa will visit us.
Language: English
ECTS: 6 ECTS
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments as well as students from Mount Kenya University (Kenya), the Institute of Finance Management (Tanzania) and the University of Zambia (Zambia).
The number of H-BRS students is limited to 10 in total. Together with the students from Africa, a total of 40 students can participate in the course.
Assessment: Active participation in the online phase, Spring School and Summer School; development of grassroots action in the area of inclusion and equity to be implemented in consultation with the Diversity Management Team at H-BRS. Final group presentation of these actions during the Summer School.
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from Mount Kenya University, the Institute of Finance Management and the University of Zambia will register at their respective university; registration period: 22 August 2022 from 12 PM (CEST) till 11 September 2022 at 11:55 PM (CEST)
Course Description:
During the online phase (Nov-Dec 2022) all 40 participating students will be grouped into five mixed teams of 8 students (2 students from each university) who will work together virtually. Constructing diverse groups promotes the development of cross-group relationships as well as reduces out-group biases and in turn, reduces discrimination.
Each team will choose a diversity dimension e.g. gender, culture, health etc. and compare and contrast how this dimension is highlighted within their own country and institution, what barriers exist and what measures are taken to encourage equity and inclusion. The focus will be on what they can learn from each other and how this information can be transferred to their own institutions and communities. This will be, in part, taught online by lecturers from all 4 participating institutions as well as involve group research and coordination. It will be hosted and coordinated by H-BRS.
In January 2023 a joint intercultural workshop will be held virtually for all course participants to wrap up the online phase.
The Spring School will take place for 3 weeks in total (Feb/Mar at MKU + IFM in 2023) with all 40 students, who will participate in joint classes, workshops and field trips. The hosting students will be study buddies for the guest students.
The Summer School will take place in Germany in May/June 2023 for 2 weeks for all course participants. This will be organised and coordinated by H-BRS in conjunction with the Diversity Management team and International Office. Students will participate in joint classes, workshops, field trips and the hosting H-BRS students will be study buddies for the guest students. The visiting staff will provide guest lectures and support. This event will be scheduled in alignment with the Respect project which is held annually at H-BRS to raise awareness for diversity and inclusion both at the university and within the local community with a myriad of events. The course participants will contribute to this event in various ways e.g world cafe, impulse workshops etc. The course wrap-up will include final group presentations, feedback, dissemination proposals and a closing ceremony.
This is a blended learning course with both online and face-to-face sessions where the students work in intercultural teams online and then meet their intercultural partners in both Sub-Saharan Africa and Germany. This method allows students to have more autonomy over their learning and time management, increases student engagement as well as improving accessibility and inclusion.
The desired impact of this course for the students is to develop and enhance both transversal skills (intercultural, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication etc.) and future skills (digital, inclusion, civic engagement etc.). This will enable the students to tackle future work challenges in a global, intercultural and inclusive world and further their personal development and self- confidence. The blended mobility approach will expose students to different viewpoints, knowledge, and teaching methods. It will help them to learn to adapt to new situations and to work in diverse teams developing their coping strategies for any challenges that may occur. One key element is to increase the awareness of privilege and the barriers that exist that prevent inclusion and how these can be removed. While long term physical mobility is strongly encouraged by all of the participating institutions, this course offers a more flexible physical mobility duration to ensure that it is accessible to students from all backgrounds, circumstances and those with fewer opportunities. It will also help to increase future employment opportunities as students who have taken part in institutionalised mobility often have an easier entry into the labour market, with better jobs and higher responsibilities compared with their ‘sedentary’ peers. Students will be granted 6 ECTS for the participation in this course.
Students are trained to be multipliers for intercultural diversity and encouraged to act as ambassadors at their universities and in their local communities by developing grassroots measures of inclusion and equity in collaboration with diversity management and knowledge transfer offices at their local university.
Design Thinking
Lecturers: Oghenekome Umuerri and Prof. Dr. Daniel Agyapong (University of Cape Coast, Ghana)
Dates: Thursday, 04:30 PM - 06:30 PM (CEST), online; lecture dates will be published at the beginning of the semester.
Frequency: 2 hrs per week
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in. However, the amount of time spent on the course usually corresponds to 3 ECTS.
Target Group: The elective course is open to students of all bachelor's and master's programmes/departments and of different semesters at H-BRS and as well as to interested students of our partner universities. There is no limit in the number of students.
Assessment: Group task submission; 80% attendance
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de(link sends e-mail); registration period: 22 August 2022 from 12 PM (CEST) till 11 September 2022 at 11:55 PM (CEST)
Course Description:
The course discusses the use of design thinking in developing products and processes that meet the corporate and marketing objectives. The course will intimate students with the design process involved in the development of user centred products. It examines the best practices for each step of the design thinking process.
Objectives
The objectives of the course are to develop participants’ ability to:
- understand the relationship between design thinking and marketing outcome
- address a real-world design challenge
- learn to look at different angles of the problem, frame the problem, break the problem down, rephrase the problem and arrive at the right problem to solve.
- build prototypes of product or service ideas
- investigate and think creatively about design problems and opportunities
- develop visual literacy and articulacy to explain design decisions
- use computing tools and online environments to aid design thinking.
Diversity Management
Lecturer: Eileen Küpper
Dates: Thursday, 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM (CEST) online
Frequency: 2 hours per week
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in. However, the amount of time spent on the course usually corresponds to 3 ECTS.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: 30% active participation in class discussions, media reflection (short essay) 30%, thread discussion 40% (initiate and moderate a topic of interest from the field of Diversity Management in the online discussion thread).
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration period: 22 August 2022 from 12 PM (CEST) till 11 September 2022 at 11:55 PM (CEST)
Course Description:
As the marketplace for goods and services becomes increasingly global, businesses must understand and embrace diversity in their brands as well as in their work forces.
This course will help you develop a better self-awareness of your own values, unconscious bias and behaviour patterns and understand how these affect your interpersonal interaction. We will review basic theoretical approaches to the impact of diversity in the workplace and learn strategies and approaches for the management of diversity with respect to e.g. gender, age, religion & worldview, culture, race ethnicity, sexual orientation and physical ability.
Doing Business in Africa
Lecturers: Dr Simon Züfle (ESB Business School Reutlingen) and Dr Phanuel Wunu (University of Cape Coast, Ghana)
Dates: Thursday, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CEST) online
Frequency: 2 hours per week
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in. However, the amount of time spent on the course usually corresponds to 3 ECTS.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: 30% active participation in class discussions, short essay) 30%, country presentation of one African country 40%
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de(link sends e-mail)(link sends e-mail); registration period: 22 August 2022 from 12 PM (CEST) till 11 September 2022 at 11:55 PM (CEST)
Course Description:
Globalisation and its complexities have placed a lot of responsibilities on young graduates who are expected to understand multifaceted issues around the world in multiple settings. Africa is a multifacted and diverse continent that is becoming increasingly important for Europe in terms of politics, economy and security. However, there is a lack of vital contextual information about the business environment in sub-Saharan Africa.
This course is designed to feature selected topics on Doing Business in Africa. The course seeks to introduce students to some important contextual and global issues that affect businesses in Africa and their participation in the global economy. It also discusses how the European Union (EU) engages African countries in business and trade compared to other countries particularly China’s involvement in Africa; and the market entry strategies for foreign businesses prospecting the African B2B and consumer markets.
Course Content
- The geography of African continent and its interaction with the world
- Business environment in sub-Saharan Africa
- EU's Africa Strategy
- German-Ghana Business Relations
- China in Africa and Implications for Europe and the global economy
- Market entry forms for companies
- Continental/Regional Trade Agreements for African countries
Competencies to be acquired
After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:
- Understanding the complexity and diversity of the African continent with its 55 countries
- explain the general business environment in Africa
- understand how the EU engages African countries
- discover China’s involvement on the African continent
- explain the various trade agreements involving African countries
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures from instructors; short presentations of students; group exercises; different discussion formats
Lecturers’ Details
Dr. Phanuel Wunu
Teaching and Research Associate
University of Cape Coast
Email: pwunu@ucc.edu.gh(link sends e-mail)
Dr Simon Züfle
Research Group Doing Business in Africa (DBA)
ESB Business School
Email: simon.zuefle@reutlingen-university.de(link sends e-mail)
Engineering and Entrepreneurship
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Bode and Dr. Zhanlu Ma-Högemeier (coordinator) in cooperation with Shenzhen Technology University in China
Dates: Tuesday, 8:50 AM - 10:10 AM (CEST), online, course starts on 11 October 2022
Frequency: 2 hours per week
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in. However, the amount of time spent on the course usually corresponds to 3 ECTS.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes. In addition, this elective and the lecture series are open to students of Shenzhen Technology University from all colleges and departments and from different semesters. There is no limit in the number of students.
Assessment: The prerequisite for receiving ECTS is by the assessment at the end of the semester. In each case, intercultural teams, consisting of H-BRS students with SZTU students together achieve a poster (digital) on one of the lecture topics. This course is not graded, the assessment is as ‘Pass or Fail’. Successful completion is assessed by the delivery of the poster.
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from SZTU will register at their home university; registration period: 22 August 2022 from 12 PM (CEST) till 11 September 2022 at 11:55 PM (CEST)
Course Description:
The interdisciplinary virtual lecture series "Engineering and Entrepreneurship" plays a crucial role in developing a strategic partnership between H-BRS and SZTU using digital tools. Chinese students and academics are part of the global scientific community. Interaction with them is enriching on an academic and intercultural level, and without their contribution, no significant progress can be made in solving global challenges. Through this joint online lecture series, the transfer of know-how, historically directed to China, is now practically carried out for a two-way exchange of know-how.
This virtual course is closely linked to the Digital International Studium Generale (DISG) of the H-BRS, which is broadly designed by its transdisciplinary character and thus offered to as many students as possible. The emphasis is on action-oriented methods in which what is learned is directly applied." Students will collaborate virtually in intercultural and interdisciplinary groups on smaller projects (such as creating collaborative posters) using a variety of learning apps. This develops both digital skills and intercultural competencies. In addition, teachers who develop international competencies also incorporate them into the design of their courses and thus impart them to their students (multiplier effect).
This course is highly recommended to freshmen, as well designed for students at higher semester at H-BRS and partner university SZTU. The course is subjected to students studying in diverse fields, to introduce frontier engineering technology, improve engineering literacy, encourage interdisciplinary and innovation thinking, understand engineering can be a base for successful entrepreneurship, and gain motivation for their studies. Lecturers are invited from universities in cooperation: SZTU and H-BRS, as well as from enterprises and start-ups, to share real-life knowledge and experiences in entrepreneurship. This is a course for cultivation of future engineers and academics with entrepreneurial spirit and intercultural team skills.
A total of 10 lectures will be online for students of all degree programs of H-BRS as well as the partner university SZTU. Of these, lectures will be given by professors/lecturers from H-BRS and SZTU, and external speakers invited from Enterprises worldwide.
Methodology:
- Online lectures by H-BRS staff, SZTU staff, and leaders of Enterprises
- Digital learning platform LEA, etc.;
- Independent research (in and outside class) to design a poster;
- Meet and work online with international students from other university and exchange views on multi-disciplinary topics;
- Poster submission (as method of evaluation).
Ethics - What's the right thing to do
Lecturer: James Chamberlain
Dates: Tuesday, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM (CEST), online
Frequency: 2 hours per week online
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in. However, the amount of time spent on the course usually corresponds to 3 ECTS.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programs and English B2/C1 or comparable knowledge.
Assessment: A 75% attendance rate and a final essay are the requirements for passing the course.
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration period: 22 August 2022 from 12 PM (CEST) till 11 September 2022 at 11:55 PM (CEST)
Course Description:
In this course we will examine various moral dilemmas and try to answer the question, “What is the right thing to do?” The course aims to help students become more critically-minded thinkers about the moral decisions we all face in our everyday lives. We will address some of the controversial topics of our day – executive bonuses, affirmative action, same-sex marriage, state surveillance and individual rights. After registering for this course, students will be granted access to the course on LEA, where the course materials can be downloaded.
Intercultural Communication
Lecturer: Eileen Küpper
Dates: Wednesday, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (CEST), online
Frequency: 2 hours per week
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in. However, the amount of time spent on the course usually corresponds to 3 ECTS.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: 30% participation in class discussions, 40% interview, 30% case study (short essay).
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration period: 22 August 2022 from 12 PM (CEST) till 11 September 2022 at 11:55 PM (CEST)
Course Description:
This course focuses on the importance of culture in our everyday lives. We live in an era of rapid globalization in which being able to communicate across cultures is essential to our ability to function in a diverse workplace and world. This course is designed to equip you with the key skills and ways of thinking to enable you to communicate, negotiate and continue to learn across diverse social and cultural settings and prepare for work in intercultural environments whether in the field of business or science.
International Career Building
Lecturer: Jens Andreas Faulstich (https://www.hs-koblenz.de/profile/faulstic)
Dates: Thursday, 2:15 PM - 3:45 PM (CEST), online
Frequency: 2 hours per week
Language: English (CEFR level B2 or higher)
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in. However, the amount of time spent on the course usually corresponds to 3 ECTS.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: Active participation in 80% of the synchronous class sessions. Active participation in scheduled small-group meetings in order to prepare for project-based assignments. Five individual online submissions (one per sub-topic, 20% each) as described in class and via online platform.
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration period: 22 August 2022 from 12 PM (CEST) till 11 September 2022 at 11:55 PM (CEST)
Course Description:
- Strategic planning of international projects and activities in academic contexts (short-term/long-term; student exchange or internship; thesis projects in other countries and cultures)
- Effective job search methods in different regional and cultural environments (CV / resume writing; anti-discrimination policies in the HR sector; the role of social platforms and internship/job search engines in international career development)
- Interview practices and simulated job interviews
- Selected assessment centre tasks
- Culture at work (hierarchies; written and unwritten rules of conduct; formal and informal communication styles)
After completing this course, students:
- know about job search methods in selected countries and cultural environments
- are able to write convincing letters of motivation, CVs and resumes
- are familiar with typical interview questions and are able to answer them in English
- are familiar with selected assessment centre tasks
- are aware of some cultural differences they need to expect and know some strategies for successful integration in an international work environment.
Presentation and Rhethorical Skills (PARS)
Lecturer: Daniel Seibert
Dates: Tuesday, 1:45 PM - 4:15 PM (CEST), Course starts on 11 October, online
Frequency: 3 hours per week, depending on number of participants, class usually finished after two thirds of term
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in. However, the amount of time spent on the course usually corresponds to 3 ECTS.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programs and English B2 or comparable knowledge.
Assessment:
- Formal and informal introductions
- Impromptu talks
- Dramatic reading and voice recording
- Group presentations (informative, persuasive or entertaining)
- Analyze speeches & presentations
- Offer constructive oral and written peer feedback
- Reflect on own language usage and communication skills in an international context
- Complete all content review quizzes on LEA
Students are required to attend all sessions to pass the course as well as completing all assigned tasks (impromptu talk, mp3 recording and voice power speech, slides, mini presentation, final presentation, online quizzes as well as peer feedback and self-reflection).
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration period: 22 August 2022 from 12 PM (CEST) till 11 September 2022 at 11:55 PM (CEST)
Course Description:
Effective oral communication skills and use of rhetorical techniques are important in business communication. The goal of this course is to offer the basis for using language effectively to inform or persuade an audience using English as a lingua franca. Special emphasis is given to language usage for an international audience. Hands-on exercises to practice different communication situations are offered in this workshop-style course.
Content
- Introduction to the communication process
- Verbal and nonverbal communication (English in an international context)
- Body language and voice training
- Opening and closing a presentation
- Planning and structuring a presentation
- Impact techniques (Great speakers)
- Informative and persuasive presentations
- Visuals and use of appropriate media (PowerPoint, Prezi, video, audio)
- Bringing it all together: delivering a presentation
- Learning to give constructive, peer feedback
- Learning to cope with anxiety and language issues
Competencies to be acquired
Students
- demonstrate confidence in speaking English in different communication scenarios
- learn to prepare, organize, and deliver an impromptu talk
- learn to conduct professional presentations. Work in teams and to prepare spontaneous informative short presentations.
- prepare a presentation for an international audience using English as a lingua franca.
- analyze great rhetorical speeches and techniques
- reflect on own work and offer constructive, peer feedback.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures from instructor and students, short presentations, and rhetorical exercises; group presentation, oral and written peer and instructor feedback as well as student reflection.
Quality Control
During class the students receive feedback from peers and the instructor on the different assignments as well as guided reflection based on different feedback, discussions, and personal reflection. Each student has their own personal learning goals and can reflect on the overall performance. A feedback questionnaire offers opportunities to reflect on the group dynamics, content, teaching style and overall rating of the course, which is offered as the basis of the final feedback.
Social Entrepreneurship as part of the social innovation process
Lecturer: Kerstin Schickendanz
Dates: Thursdays, 2:00 PM - 5:15 PM (CEST), online
Frequency: 4 lecture units every two weeks
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in. However, the amount of time spent on the course usually corresponds to 3 ECTS.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: Attendance and Participation (30%); Group presentation of own social innovation and self-reflections (40%); Self-Reflections (30%)
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration period: 22 August 2022 from 12 PM (CEST) till 11 September 2022 at 11:55 PM (CEST)
Course Description:
The emergence of new social, environmental and demographic challenges, which are of a complex multidisciplinary character, has driven society's consciousness of the issue of social innovation worldwide. Social innovation is the creation and implementation of a novel concept or idea that benefits society through community, business, institutional and/or behavioural change.
This module will guide you in understanding how processes of social innovation work and how to develop yourself to play a role within them. You will learn how social innovation processes are used to address critical societal challenges. Social innovations have a significant role in overcoming and resolving these problems and challenges. International student teams collaborate and apply their education and expertise to address current global social challenges in this course.
Whether you want to change the world or help make your neighbourhood a better place to live, this module will help you achieve your desire to make a difference. You will learn how to develop creative context-relevant innovations to address different sectors, such as employment, gender, poverty and the environment.
Learning and teaching approach:
In-class lectures will introduce students to the core theories, tools and approaches underpinning social innovation, and students will discuss and debate different strategies that might apply to featured social innovations.
Teamwork will focus on participants' engagement, creativity, and teambuilding. The workshop's output will result in presenting the team's social innovation idea and its implementation strategy. A final highly developed concept to share online.
Certificate Programme E-Tutor
Lecturers: Lena Wiesler and colleagues from H-BRS E-Learning team
Dates: Thursday, 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM (CEST) (6 sessions) online, some advanced modules will be offered on fridays
Frequency: 6 block sessions
Basic modules:
13.10.2022: Kick-Off (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
20.10.2022: Basic module: Didactics & Presentation
03.11.2022 (Fri): Basic Module: Course Design in LEA
17.11.2022: Basic module: Conception & Interactive Learning Modules (Rise + LEA learning module)
Advanced modules
01.12.2022 (Thu)
02.12.2022 (Fri)
08.12.2022 (Thu)
09.12.2022 (Fri)
12.01.2023 (Thu, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Final session & presentation of results
Language: German
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: Active participation in the online sessions (100 %), timely submission of self-prepared learning materials, possibly timely submission of learning materials revised on the basis of feedback.
Registration: H-BRS students will register through LEA. Students from other universities will either register at their respective university or should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration period: 22 August 2022 from 12 PM (CEST) till 11 September 2022 at 11:55 PM (CEST).
Course Description:
The acquisition of knowledge in the areas of media design, digital learning environments and media didactics strengthen the students' media competence and enable them to design and implement digital teaching-learning settings.
Students must complete the three basic modules (compulsory modules)
- Didactics & Presentation Workshop
- Conception & Interactive Learning Modules
- Course Design in LEA
as well as at least one advanced module.
What competences can you acquire?
Structured and didactically sensible approach to the conception and production of digital learning materials as well as knowledge of the software presented (PowerPoint, ILIAS, Articulate Rise).
How do we want to work (teaching and learning methods)?
- Regular Webex meetings
- Theoretical input
- Group work
- Working together with presented software
- Use of digital tools for interaction & collaboration (Miro, Slido)
- Information and exchange in the LEA course
Further information: https://www.h-brs.de/de/bib/e-tutoren-zertifikatsprogramm
Courses and lectures in the summer semester 2022
Offizielle Eröffnungszeremonie der BAiN Summer School
Titel: Einstieg in den afrikanischen Markt: Studierende erwerben internationale Verhandlungsfähigkeiten
Termin: Montag, 20.06.2022 von 9:00 Uhr bis 12:30 Uhr
Ort: Hörsaal 3 und online Live Stream über das Digitale Internationale Studium Generale
Die Masterstudierenden des Studiengangs Marketing (M.Sc.) sind Teil des internationalen digitalen Projekts „BAIN - Becoming an International Negotiator - Entering the African Market“, welches im Sommersemester 2021 erstmals startete.
Die BAIN Summer School findet vom 19. - 24. Juni 2022 an der Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (H-BRS) statt. Acht Studierende der University of Nairobi (UoN) in Kenia und der University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana werden von ihren jeweiligen Dozent:innen begleitet, um an einem viertägigen Intensivprogramm mit ihren Verhandlungskolleg:innen von der H-BRS auf dem Sankt Augustin Campus teilzunehmen. Die Summer School beginnt mit drei Gastvorträgen zu Korruptionsfällen aus Ghana und Kenia und einem weiteren Vortrag zur ökologischen Landwirtschaft in Deutschland. Sie umfasst des Weiteren Workshops zum Thema Verhandlungsführung, sowie dem Umgang mit Korruptionspraktiken. Außerdem wird ein Workshop zum Mittelstandsindex Afrika angeboten. Hier werden die afrikanischen Märkte nach speziellen Indexen analysiert und besprochen. Abschließend stellen die Studierenden ihre Projekte in einer Marketing- und Marketingimplementierungsveranstaltung vor.
Im Rahmen der Eröffnungszeremonie am 20.06.2022 werden die folgenden Gastvorträge über ein WebEx Meeting live gestreamt.
Korruptionspraktiken: Fallbeispiele aus Ghana und Kenia
Dr. Gloria Agyapong, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Dr. Joseph Owino, University of Nairobi, Kenia
Der Kampf um die Unabhängigkeit der afrikanischen Länder war geprägt von dem Wunsch nach Selbstbestimmung und dem Ziel, Unwissenheit, schlechte Gesundheit und Armut zu bekämpfen, die das afrikanische Volk kennzeichneten. Die Afrikaner in ihren jeweiligen Ländern starteten in die Unabhängigkeit mit der Hoffnung auf eine bessere Zukunft und bessere Lebensbedingungen für ihre Kinder und die nachfolgenden Generationen. Es wurde weithin angenommen, dass sich die Kolonialregime weniger um das Leben der Afrikaner kümmerten und mehr daran interessiert waren, die Ressourcen des Kontinents abzuschöpfen. Die gefeierte Unabhängigkeit war jedoch in vielen afrikanischen Ländern nur von kurzer Dauer, da sich die herrschende Elite von den afrikanischen Mitbürgern abwandte. Es begann damit, dass sie sich Land aneigneten und es unter hohen Staatsbeamten und Vertrauten der herrschenden Elite aufteilten. Bald darauf wurden die Regierungsbildung und die Besetzung staatlicher Ämter nicht mehr von der Qualifikation, sondern vor allem von den Beziehungen zu den Machthabern beeinflusst. Trotz dieser eklatanten antiafrikanischen Normen, die auf Werten wie Teilen, kollektivem Handeln und anderen christlichen Werten beruhten, hatten die Afrikaner ein wenig Hoffnung, dass die Dinge besser werden würden. Leider hat sich die Situation in ganz Afrika geändert, und die politische Elite tut alles, um bis zum Tod im Amt zu bleiben. Dies ging mit einer Vielzahl von Korruptionspraktiken einher, deren Erträge zum Teil zum Aufbau individueller Wirtschaftsimperien und zum Schutz der politischen Klientel um jeden Preis verwendet wurden. In einigen afrikanischen Ländern umfasste der Schutz der politischen Macht auch die Bestechung von Wählern, Wahlmanipulationen und die Forderung nach Finanzierung politischer Kampagnen sowohl durch öffentliche Einrichtungen als auch durch den privaten Sektor. Korruption wurde zum Alltag, auch bei der Auftragsvergabe, der Einnahmeerhebung und der Verwaltung. So lernten die Angestellten des öffentlichen Sektors beispielsweise, hochrangigen Staatsbediensteten auf Verlangen illegal Gelder zukommen zu lassen, gleichzeitig aber auch etwas Geld für sich selbst zu nehmen. Dieselbe Praxis war auch bei der Landnahme und der Beschäftigung zu beobachten. In der Arbeitswelt ist die Annahme von Bestechungsgeldern zur Beeinflussung von Auswahl und Ernennung üblich. In diesem Papier wird das Bild der Korruptionspraktiken anhand von jeweils zwei Fällen in Kenia und Ghana gezeichnet.
Ökologischer Landbau in Deutschland: Prozess & Verfahren
Monika Rönn, Familienbetrieb Apfelorchidee in Nordrhein-Westfalen
Der ökologische Landbau ist Teil der deutschen Strategie für nachhaltige Entwicklung. Der Vortrag gibt einen Einblick, was unter deutschem Ökolandbau aus betriebswirtschaftlicher Sicht verstanden wird. Monika Rönn wird auch darauf eingehen, wie man eine Bio-Zertifizierung beantragt und welche EU-Verordnungen gelten, um ein Bio-Siegel für den eigenen Betrieb zu erhalten. Zudem wird sie erklären, wie sie Artenschutz, Bienenschutz und Bestäubung, Wasserschutz, Wiesen- und Bodenschutz für ihre Plantagen betreibt.
Weitere Informationen zur Summer School finden Sie hier.
RESPEKT Event: Gemeinsam gegen die Krise - Farmers Dokumentationsreihe
Dienstag, 03.05.2022 von 18:00 - 19:15 Uhr
vor Ort: E 146 (Campus Sank Augustin)
virtuell: https://h-brs.webex.com/h-brs/j.php?MTID=m0cd5ff7a82e3e582cff407e95d74e8e7
Die Dokumentationsreihe „Farmers“ von Fairtrade nimmt die individuellen Geschichten und Erlebnisse von Kleinbäuerinnen und Kleinbauern in Peru, Kenia und Indonesien im Zuge der Corona-Pandemie in den Blick und wirft Fragen zu Gerechtigkeit in Wirtschaft und Konsumverhalten auf.
Bei dem Film, der an der H-BRS gezeigt wird, steht die Kleinbäuerin Caroline Rono aus Kenia im Mittelpunkt. Neben nachhaltigem Kaffeeanbau werden hier auch finanzielle Unabhängigkeit und Geschlechtergerechtigkeit thematisiert.
Im Anschluss an die Filmvorführung findet ein Gespräch mit verschiedenen Akteur:innen zu Unternehmertum und nachhaltiger Landwirtschaft sowie zu Chancengerechtigkeit und Diversität in Kenia statt.
Unserer Gäst:innen auf dem Podium (sowie digital aus Kenia) sind:
- Christine Freitag: Projektleiterin Digitales Internationales Studium Generale
- Eileen Küpper: Lehrkraft für Interkulturelle Kommunikation und Diversity Management, Projekt Spring School Programme Kenya
- Dr. Joseph Owino: Lehrkraft Department of Business Administration, University of Nairobi (Kenia), Forschungsgebiete u.a. Wirtschaft und nachhaltige Agrikultur
Diese Veranstaltung ist Teil der gemeinsamen Fairtrade-Filmreihe zu Nachhaltigkeit und fairem Handel der Universität Bonn, Alanus Hochschule und Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg. Jeder Teil der Dokumentationsreihe betrachtet das Leben von Kleinbäuer:innen in verschiedenen Ländern (Indonesien, Peru, Kenia) und stellt entscheidende Fragen zu gerechtem Konsum.
Zielgruppe: Externe, Studierende, Beschäftigte
Veranstalter: Initiative Respekt!
Veranstaltungssprache: Englisch
Anmeldung erforderlich: nein
Die Veranstaltung findet in Präsenz auf dem Campus Sankt Augustin (E146) statt. Bei fehlender Möglichkeit, der Veranstaltung in Präsenz beizuwohnen, können Interessierte auch digital teilnehmen:
Meetinglink (Webex): https://h-brs.webex.com/h-brs/j.php?MTID=m0cd5ff7a82e3e582cff407e95d74e8e7
Veranstaltungen der Universität Bonn und der Alanus Hochschule:
- Mi. 18. Mai 18:00 Uhr, Universität Bonn, Hörsaal VI (1 OG) im Hauptgebäude (Regina-Pacis-Weg 3, 53113 Bonn), Webseite - Fokus: Peru
- Di. 31. Mai 18:00 Uhr, Alanus Hochschule im Atelierhaus II (Raum im OG) auf dem Campus Villestraße (Villestraße 3, 53347 Alfter), Webseite - Fokus: Indonesien
Die Filmvorführung ist Teil unseres Respekt!-Formats „Respekt! Fair“ und zählt zu unseren Fairtrade University-Aktivitäten.
Diversity Management
Lecturer: Eileen Küpper
Dates: Wednesday, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM (CET)
Frequency: 2 hours per week
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: 30% active participation in class discussions, media reflection (short essay) 30%, thread discussion 40% (initiate and moderate a topic of interest from the field of Diversity Management in the online discussion thread).
Registration: LEA students from other universities should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration deadline: 13 March 2022
Course Description:
As the marketplace for goods and services becomes increasingly global, businesses must understand and embrace diversity in their brands as well as in their work forces.
This course will help you develop a better self-awareness of your own values, unconscious bias and behaviour patterns and understand how these affect your interpersonal interaction. We will review basic theoretical approaches to the impact of diversity in the workplace and learn strategies and approaches for the management of diversity with respect to e.g. gender, age, religion & worldview, culture, race ethnicity, sexual orientation and physical ability.
Ethics - What's the right thing to do
Lecturer: James Chamberlain
Dates: Thursday, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM (CET)
Frequency: 2 hours per week
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programs and English B2/C1 or comparable knowledge.
Assessment: A 75% attendance rate and a final essay are the requirements for passing the course.
Prerequisites: Reading ability in English at Level C1 on the European Common Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF) and a speaking ability in English of B2 on the CEF scale.
Registration: LEA students from other universities should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration deadline: 13 March 2022
Course Description: In this course we will examine difficult moral dilemmas and try to answer the question, “What is the right thing to do?” The course aims to help students become more critically minded thinkers about the moral decisions we all face in our everyday lives. We will address some of the controversial topics of our day – executive bonuses, affirmative action, same-sex marriage, state surveillance and individual rights. - After registering for this course, students will be granted access to the course on LEA, where the course materials can be downloaded.
Global Philosophy - How the world thinks
Lecturer: James Chamberlain
Dates: Friday, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (CET)
Frequency: 2 hours per week
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and English B2/C1 or comparable knowledge.
Assessment: A 75% attendance rate and a final presentation are the requirements for passing the course.
Prerequisites: Reading ability in English at Level C1 on the European Common Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF) and a speaking ability in English of B2 on the CEF scale.
Registration: LEA students from other universities should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration deadline: 13 March 2022
Course Description: The word “philosophy“ is a Greek word, and as such describes a Western way of thinking. So much so, that when we think of philosophy, we tend to assume that it is based on written texts and systematic thought. When we broaden our scope and consider other philosophical traditions, the emphasis often remains focused on the transmission of seminal texts, as in India, China and Japan. But there are philosophical traditions all around the world, many of them following oral traditions, as in Africa or in Australia. Using Julian Baggini’s book as a guide, we want to explore together these non-European traditions, and discuss “how the world thinks” about knowledge, individualism, how we ought to live, and much more. - After registering for this course, students will be granted access to the course on LEA, where the course materials can be downloaded.
Intercultural Communication
Lecturer: Eileen Küpper
Dates: Wednesday, 1:00 PM - 3:15 PM (CET), starting on 31 March 2022
Frequency: 2 hours per week
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: 30% participation in class discussions, 40% interview, 30% case study (short essay).
Registration: LEA (students from other universities should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de.
Course Description: This course focuses on the importance of culture in our everyday lives. We live in an era of rapid globalization in which being able to communicate across cultures is essential to our ability to function in a diverse workplace and world. This course is designed to equip you with the key skills and ways of thinking to enable you to communicate, negotiate and continue to learn across diverse social and cultural settings and prepare for work in intercultural environments whether in the field of business or science.
International Career Building
Lecturer: Jens Andreas Faulstich, HS Koblenz RheinAhrCampus
Dates: Tuesday, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM (CET), from 5 April 2022 to 28 June 2022
Frequency: 2 hours per week
Language: English (CEFR level B2 or higher)
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: Active participation in 80% of the synchronous class sessions and the group project + submission of written documentation as described in class and via online platform.
Registration: LEA students from other universities should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration deadline: 13 March 2022
Course Description:
- Strategic planning of international projects and activities in academic contexts (short-term/long-term; student exchange or internship; thesis projects in other countries and cultures)
- Effective job search methods in different regional and cultural environments (CV / resume writing; anti-discrimination policies in the HR sector; the role of social platforms and internship/job search engines in international career development)
- Interview practices and simulated job interviews
- Selected assessment centre tasks
- Culture at work (hierarchies; written and unwritten rules of conduct; formal and informal communication styles)
After completing this course, students:
- know about job search methods in selected countries and cultural environments
- are able to write convincing letters of motivation, CVs and resumes
- are familiar with typical interview questions and are able to answer them in English
- are familiar with selected assessment centre tasks
- are aware of some cultural differences they need to expect and know some strategies for successful integration in an international work environment.
Special Vocational Preparation Course: "The final touch"
Lecturer: Thomas P. Kusch
Dates: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM from 21.03.2022 - 01.04.2022
Language: English
ECTS: 2 for students from MA Analysis and Design for Social Protection Systems. Students from other study program should contact studium-generale@h-brs.de
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes.
Registration: LEA
Course Description:
Your thesis has been written and you are about to graduate. So, now you can start...!?! But wait, wasn't there something else?
Our university has taught you everything you need to take on even more responsibility in your company... now all you need is "the final touch"... so that you can really shine in your day-to-day work.
This lecture is – if you want it and take it – your chance to become aware of new aspects in your that you would otherwise learn “the hard way” in the course of your professional career.
In this elective, we work on or develop some essential skills that will help you in your next professional steps:
What is your human image / your view on the world?
- Our own values / your big goals in your life
- Self-confidence / self-competence
- Metaprograms & Communication
- Loyalty to whom?
- Limits / demarcations / your red lines
- Burnout doesn't happen to me!?!
- your personal resilience
- Self-esteem / identity
Do you already know everything? .. then do not choose this elective!
World Politics on Campus - Welcoming the world at H-BRS
Lecturers: Christine Freitag and Dr. Luc Da Gbadji
Dates & Time: Thursday, 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM (CET), online; dates for individual keynote lectures will be published at the beginning of the semester.
Frequency: 2 hours per week; online sessions: Guest Keynote Lecture Series, talks and discussions, internal sessions.
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in.
Target Group: The elective course and the guest lecture series are open to students of all bachelor's and master's programmes/departments and of different semesters at H-BRS and as well as to interested stufents of our partner universities. There is no limit in the number of students.
Assessment: Digital poster on one of the topics of your choice that has been thematized by (one of) the Keynote Speakers, online pitch presentations of the posters (only) during the last semester session. 80% attendance (keynote lectures are mandatory).
Registration: LEA students from other universities should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration deadline: 13 March 2022
Course Description: The "Western" model of policy, governance and economy is increasingly being challenged. With China, a new power is rising. Alternative models to the Western democracy claim to deal more effectively with new developments and mega-trends. Climate change and pollution require drastic and immediate measures. Populations in privileged countries fear global migration. The fairness of the distribution of income and wealth in the world is questioned. Populist political figures are gaining ground, and multilateral institutions are being discredited.
Over the last decades, globalisation has impacted the entire world. Many industries profited from globalization, and companies of all sizes have become extremely active on the international stage. Globalization has created growth, jobs and financial strength, and has allowed us to invest in future technologies. Even though it is unimaginable to significantly scale back the degree of globalization, the world is struggling to find solutions for its detrimental effects.
The lecture series World Politics on Campus – Welcoming the world at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences provides insights into the challenges lying ahead of us. It attempts to shed light on the issues from more than one standpoint. We invite outstanding and distinguished international personalities, experts and decision-makers who are able to introduce the audience to the views of the nations and cultures they represent. Participants will be able to engage in conversation, ask questions and enter discussion.
Learning contents:
- Discussing and applying in a practice-oriented manner, aspects of world politics, economics, sustainability and sustainable policy, social policy and social security (social protection systems), innovation management, international business and relations, trade and geography and many more;
- This course will provide students ideas and insights into global issues and aspects beyond the scope of their individual curricula;
Methodology:
- Guest Keynote (key experts such as ambassadors);
- Online lectures and discussions;
- independent research (inside and outside class) to design a poster;
- Meetings and online discussions with H-BRS colleagues from other departments and exchange on cross-curricular topics, e.g. during breakout sessions;
- Poster session (online poster fair at the end of the semester as a method of assessment).
Certificate Programme E-Tutor
Lecturer: Lena Wiesler and colleagues from H-BRS E-Learning team
Dates: Friday, 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (CET) (6 sessions)
Frequency: 6 block sessions
01.04.2022 (Fri): Kick-Off
08.04.2022 (Fri): Basic module: Didactics & Presentation
22.04.2022 (Fri): Basic module: Conception & Interactive Learning Modules
13.05.2022 (Fri): Basic Module: Course Design in LEA
02.06. (Thu), 03.06. (Fri), 09.06. (Thu), 10.06. (Fri): Advanced modules
24.06.2022 (Fri): Final session & presentation of results
Language: German
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in.
Target Group: H-BRS students from all departments and study programmes and interested students from partner universities.
Assessment: Active participation in the online sessions (100 %), timely submission of self-prepared learning materials, possibly timely submission of learning materials revised on the basis of feedback.
Registration: LEA students from other universities should write an email to studium-generale@h-brs.de; registration deadline: 13 March 2022
Course Description:
The acquisition of knowledge in the areas of media design, digital learning environments and media didactics strengthen the students' media competence and enable them to design and implement digital teaching-learning settings.
Students must complete the three basic modules (compulsory modules)
- Didactics & Presentation Workshop
- Conception & Interactive Learning Modules
- Course Design in LEA
as well as at least one advanced module.
What competences can you acquire?
Structured and didactically sensible approach to the conception and production of digital learning materials as well as knowledge of the software presented (PowerPoint, ILIAS, Articulate Rise).
How do we want to work (teaching and learning methods)?
- Regular Webex meetings
- Theoretical input
- Group work
- Working together with presented software
- Use of digital tools for interaction & collaboration (Miro, Slido)
- Information and exchange in the LEA course
Further information: https://www.h-brs.de/de/bib/e-tutoren-zertifikatsprogramm
Courses and lectures in the winter semester 2021/2022
Guest Lecture: The 4 Dimensions of Electronic and Electrical Easte in an African Context
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Daniel Agyapong
Date & Time: Tuesday, 23 November 2021, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Audimax and virtually (click on yellow button below)
Language: English
The issue of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is topical in Africa, especially in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya. This is due to the ever-increasing production, distribution and consumption of electronic and electrical equipment. Ironically, today’s corporate entities focus on pre-production and production activities. There is less emphasis on the post-consumption effect of their products on consumers and the environment.
The presentation of Prof. Dr. Daniel Agyapong concentrates on post-consumption issues of electronic and electrical equipment. It highlights the four dimensions, including human health issues, environmental impact, social dimensions and economic/business benefits. The discussion centers on the personal and environmental health effects of e-waste. This includes the pollution of aquatic and terrestrial life, the social reasons why people engage in e-waste businesses, as well as the economic benefits of engaging in eco-businesses.
For more information on the lecture, please visit the event page.
Sustainability and Innovation in a connected world
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Bode and Dr. Zhanlu Ma-Högemeier (course coordinator)
Dates & Time: Tuesday, 08:40 AM - 10:10 AM (CEST), online
Frequency: 2 hours per week
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in.
Target Group:
This elective and the lecture series are open to H-BRS students from all Bachelor and Master Programmes/ faculties and from different semesters.
In addition, this elective and the lecture series are open to students of Shenzhen Technology University from all colleges and departments and from different semesters.
There is no limit in the number of students.
Assessment: The prerequisite for receiving ECTS is by the assessment at the end of the semester. In each case, intercultural teams, consisting of H-BRS students with SZTU students together achieve a poster (digital) or video on one of the lecture topics. This course is not graded, the assessment is as ‘Pass or Fail’. Successful completion is assessed by the delivery of the poster or video.
Registration: Students from the Department of Management Sciences please register for the elective course through your respective course registrations in LEA.
After the respective registration deadlines, you as well as H-BRS students from other departments may also register over the LEA course directly. In any case, please also contact the course coordinator: Dr. Zhanlu Ma-Högemeier.
Course Description:
The interdisciplinary virtual lecture series "Sustainability and Innovation in a Connected World" plays a crucial role in developing a strategic partnership between H-BRS and SZTU using digital tools. Chinese students and academics are part of the global scientific community. Interaction with them is enriching on an academic and intercultural level, and without their contribution, no significant progress can be made in solving global challenges. Through this joint online lecture series, the transfer of know-how, historically directed to China, is now practically carried out for a two-way exchange of know-how.
This virtual course is closely linked to the Digital International Studium Generale (DISG) of the H-BRS, which is broadly designed by its transdisciplinary character and thus offered to as many students as possible. The emphasis is on action-oriented methods in which what is learned is directly applied." Students will collaborate virtually in intercultural and interdisciplinary groups on smaller projects (such as creating collaborative posters) using a variety of learning apps. This develops both digital skills and intercultural competencies. In addition, teachers who develop international competencies also incorporate them into the design of their courses and thus impart them to their students (multiplier effect).
A total of 10 lectures of 90 minutes each will be online for students of all degree programs of the H-BRS as well as the partner university SZTU. Of these, 5 lectures will be given by professors/lecturers from H-BRS and 5 lectures will be given by professors/lecturers from SZTU.
The following topics were submitted by colleagues from both universities for the winter semester 2021/2022:
- Sustainability in consumer research
- Wearables and their social implications for the future state of health
- Sustainable labor migration
- Marketing strategies for innovations in the ICT market
- Sustainability and Food System change or
- Sustainable and resilient urban food systems
- Molecular Anthropology
- Circular economy
- Hydrogen Technology
- On demand ride service platforms
- Innovation with Quantum Mechanics
- New Materials
Methodology:
- 5 lectures by H-BRS staff
- 5 lectures by SZTU staff;
- Digital learning platform LEA and CDP, etc.;
- Independent research (in and outside class) to design a poster;
- Meet and work online with international students from other university and exchange views on multi-disciplinary topics;
- Poster or video submission (as method of evaluation).
World Politics on Campus - Welcoming the world at H-BRS
Lecturers: Christine Freitag and Dr. Luc Da Gbadji
Dates & Time: Thursday, 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM (CET), online; dates for individual guest lectures will be published at the beginning of the winter semester.
Frequency: 2 hours per week; online sessions: Guest Lecture Series, talks and discussions.
Language: English
ECTS: number of ECTS points students receive depends on the examination regulations (Prüfungsordung) of the respective programme that the student is enrolled in.
Target Group: The elective course and the guest lecture series are open to students of all bachelor's and master's programmes/departments and of different semesters at H-BRS. There is no limit in the number of students.
Assessment: Digital poster on one of the topics of your choice that has been thematized by (one of) the Keynote Speakers, online pitch presentations of the posters (only) during the last semester session.
Registration: Students in the Department of Management Sciences, Social Policy and Social Security Studies should register for the elective course through their respective course registrations in LEA.
After the respective registration deadlines, you as well as H-BRS students from other departments may also register over the LEA course directly. In any case, please also contact the course lecturers/coordinators: Christine Freitag and Dr. Luc Da Gbadji.
Course Description:
The "Western" model of policy, governance and economy is increasingly being challenged. With China, a new power is rising. Alternative models to the Western democracy claim to deal more effectively with new developments and mega-trends. Climate change and pollution require drastic and immediate measures. Populations in privileged countries fear global migration. The fairness of the distribution of income and wealth in the world is questioned. Populist political figures are gaining ground, and multilateral institutions are being discredited.
Over the last decades, globalisation has impacted the entire world. Many industries profited from globalization, and companies of all sizes have become extremely active on the international stage. Globalization has created growth, jobs and financial strength, and has allowed us to invest in future technologies. Even though it is unimaginable to significantly scale back the degree of globalization, the world is struggling to find solutions for its detrimental effects.
The lecture series World Politics on Campus – Welcoming the world at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences provides insights into the challenges lying ahead of us. It attempts to shed light on the issues from more than one standpoint. We invite outstanding and distinguished international personalities, experts and decision-makers who are able to introduce the audience to the views of the nations and cultures they represent. Participants will be able to engage in conversation, ask questions and enter discussion.
Learning contents:
- Discussing and applying in a practice-oriented manner, aspects of world politics, economics, sustainability and sustainable policy, social policy and social security (social protection systems), innovation management, international business and relations, trade and geography and many more;
- This course will provide students ideas and insights into global issues and aspects beyond the scope of their individual curricula;
Methodology:
- Guest Keynote (key experts such as ambassadors);
- Online-Vorträge und -Diskussionen;
- eigenständige Recherchen (innerhalb und außerhalb des Unterrichts) zur Gestaltung eines Posters;
- Treffen und Online-Gespräche mit H-BRS-Kollegen aus anderen Fakultäten und Austausch über fächerübergreifende Themen, z.B. während Breakout-Sitzungen;
- Postersitzungen (Online-Postermesse am Ende des Semesters als Methode der Bewertung).
Kontakt
Location
Sankt Augustin
Room
E 120
Address
Grantham-Allee 20
53757 Sankt Augustin
Contact hours
monday - friday: by arrangement
Telephone
+49 2241 865-9676