Students who are motivated to make a positive change in society are provided with a solid platform and the knowledge and competencies to take on major challenges of the 21st century, together with other experts in the field.

The course gives them the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary teams to develop such radical strategies, from a scope of systems and the Design Thinking method. 

Teaching methods

The course consists of four iterative phases: Imagine, Connect, Act and Assess. Students have freedom of choice of a transition challenge and the development of a strategy, followed by a real-life intervention with a theoretical framework, practical coaching and consistent feedback. In addition, interactive workshops were organised and a round table panel discussion with three external experts took place at De Ceuvel to inspire the students with opportunities and possible interventions. 

Debby Gerritsen, one of the lecturers and developers of the course, says: “What stood out for me were the presentations of the Imagine phase, in which the students use creative tools to develop a future vision for their transition challenge. I was surprised and amazed by the future outlooks of the students. It was impressive to see how each student group executed a small intervention that could contribute to the future they envisioned."

Mohamed Nour Tariq, one of the course participants, shares his experiences throughout the module: “Our group involved diverse students with backgrounds in Computer Science, Economics and AI and we took on the challenge of developing a modern vision, Creo, which entails a cognitive city where the lifelines and pillars are powered by Artificial Intelligence, with a strong focus on sustainability, efficiency and greatly impacting and enhancing the livelihoods of residents of the city. Some of the critical elements of the vision are exhibited in our intervention product, a mobile application." 

Gerritsen concludes: "I hope that students, at the end of the course, are aware of the complexity of transitions in societies, but also realise that they can contribute to change by doing a small intervention.”

More information

The Honours module 'The Next Great/Small Transformation' is one of the projects that were launched as starting points for transition-oriented education at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies. 
In the academic year 2022-2023, the Honours module will be on the curriculum again, starting in September 2022 and February 2023. This course is open to second-year or third-year Bachelor's students participating in an Honours programme.