Admission requirements
None.
Description
The integrative focal point of this minor are the Student Project Groups (SPGs) which consists of mixed groups of 3-6 students coming from the three universities, tutored by academic coaches. In each SPG, students diagnose, analyze, design, implement and evaluate a real-life innovative case. They will work together with a target stakeholder or problem owner from a company, a non-governmental organization, a public organization or a research institution.
One of the unique and valuable points of this minor is the interdisciplinary group work. It will probably be the first time that students work with peers from different disciplines as well as for professionals outside academia. This learning format helps students to broaden their perspective on the subjects, but it also might be challenging to understand each others’ specialized way of thinking and researching. During (bi)weekly coaching sessions, an academic coach will not only discuss the progress but also support the SPGs with the interdisciplinary group work. The different groups are formed during the first week of the semester, after all students announced their preferred project.
The structure of the SPG is based on the six steps of the Intervention Cycle: Problem Identification, Problem Analysis, Problem Definition, Solution (Re)Design, Solution Implementation and Solution Evaluation. Students will cover the entire cycle during the first block (September–November).
The SPGs are supported by individual sessions called Skill Labs, aimed to provide students with basic knowledge on academic skills. This includes sessions on the Intervention Cycle, research methods and academic writing.
Course objectives
At the end of the learning experience students can demonstrate understanding of the intervention cycle by applying the framework to a specific case of responsible innovation by working in an interdisciplinary team. This includes:
Applying practical and theoretical knowledge to papers and presentations
Reflecting on teamwork and team decision making processes
Timetable
The timetable can be found in the right menu, under files
Thursdays and Fridays are intended for SPG research and self-study.
To help students achieve the learning goals, they have (bi)weekly coaching and feedback sessions with an academic coach from one of the three universities. For these meetings, the student group is in the lead, so an assertive attitude is expected.
Next to these (bi)weekly sessions, the groups are in contact with their target stakeholder. The target stakeholder will be available for an interview and for feedback. The student group is responsible for organizing and maintaining their contact with the problem stakeholder, but they should consult their academic coach before contacting the target stakeholder as well as keep their coach informed about the interactions with the target stakeholder.
Mode of instruction
- Research
Assessment method
Assessment
The results will be presented during a plenary session at the end of the first block and will be laid down in a written report.
Grading rubrics will be used to assess the quality of the report and the presentation. The criteria are used to give references to the students. A higher grade is dependent on whether the SPGs can shows signs of a deep understanding of the case, mastering the used tools/literature or give sound reasoning and arguments for decisions made in each stage.
Weighing
Report: 5/6 of grade
Presentation: 1/6 of grade
Resit
The students are allowed one resit per examination. It is not allowed to resit an examination or assignment for which they have received a pass (6,0 or higher). It is allowed to resit an examination or assignment which they haven't done during the first occasion. The resit format needs to be discussed with the academic coach.
In case the student is granted an extra resit by the Board of Examiners, this resit has to take place within study year 2020-2021.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
Not applicable
Registration
Students need to register for the minor at their home university and in uSis Leiden, and for each individual course in uSis Leiden.
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable
Contact
Minor coordinator: Lotte Pet
Remarks
Not applicable.