Description
This course explores how science, society and self can address the broader and deeper challenges of the day. We approach the social sciences as a fascinating and continuously evolving discipline, a creative space for new thinking and new practice.
The course reflects on the need to consciously and strategically align science, society, and self to solve complex and interwoven problems. We examine questions such as: What are the theoretical implications of major contemporary trends, such as climate change and growing inequality? How can the social sciences enhance our capacity to interpret and navigate in the world? How does the social sciences touch upon my everyday life, and is thereby personal?
The first part of the course invites us to reflect on how we relate to ourselves and others. We embrace confusion as a first step in learning something new. We recognize our own biases. By listening deeply and speaking responsibly, we transform disempowering conversations. We explore how compassion can guide us, and what happens when compassion is absent.
The second part of the course provides us the opportunity to address issues related to wellbeing at Leiden University. Various professionals present their perspective to unpack the complexity of this challenge. We experiment with templates and tools to simultaneously solve problems, shift systems and create new patterns sourced from what we deeply care about.
The third part of the course reflects on social scientific principles. We transcend silos by integrating knowledge from several disciplines, and discuss the opportunities and challenges that come with interdisciplinarity. We proceed by discussing another principle, one that has increasingly been recognized as an important criterion for thoughtful social science: reflexivity. In the final session, we connect all ideas covered during the course into a coherent whole.
Course objectives
Through this course, we strive to achieve that students are able to:
explain the interdependent relationship between science, society and self
reflect on how science, society, and self can address complex challenges
dialogue, reflect, and collaborate in an interdisciplinary context
work with templates and tools for ethical and strategic leadership
Course material
The material for this course comprises articles, book chapters, and movies. We engage with diverse social scientific texts, ranging from pedagogy, psychology, philosophy of science and sociology literatures as well as transformation, feminist, and post-colonial scholarship.
Mode of instruction
Students are expected to invest approximately 140 hours for this 5 ECTS course by:
Attending 9 sessions (participation is mandatory) – 24 hours
Engaging meaningfully with the course material – 76 hours
Working on the individual reflective assignments – 20 hours
Design a response to a challenge at the university – 8 hours
Working on the synthesizing, argumentative essay – 12 hours
Assessment methods
Assessment includes 4 individual assignments, 2 group assignments, and 1 individual essay.
4 Individual assignments (pass/fail)
Prior to the plenary sessions, students answer reflective questions about the course material and themselves to enhance the transformative potential of the plenary sessions.
2 Group assignments (pass/fail)
During the course, students are placed in an interdisciplinary think and do tank. The think and do tanks submit a report that summarizes reflection on bias and leadership. The think and do tanks also design an integrated response to issues related to wellbeing at Leiden University.
1 Individual essay (pass/fail)
For the final session, students write an argumentative essay in which they answer the following question: How can science, society, and self address the broader and deeper challenges of the day? Students present their argument to receive feedback for growth.
Language
The English language is used during the sessions. Group assignments must be submitted in English. Individual assignments may be submitted in English or Dutch. If students prefer to be placed in a Dutch speaking think and do tank, we can make this work.
Skills
The skills predominantly covered in this course are shown in bold:
| Researching | Collaborating | Reflecting |
|---|---|---|
| Analysing | Oral Communication | Independent learning |
| Generating solutions | Written communication | Resilience |
| Project-based working | Presenting | |
| Digital skills | Societal awareness |
Timetable
The sessions start at 18:00 and the session on Providing Feedback (04-06-2023) is optional.
| Date | Time | Location | Tentative programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27-02-2024 | 18:00 - 20:30 | Leiden | Embracing confusion |
| 05-03-2024 | 18:00 - 20:30 | The Hague | Recognizing bias |
| 12-03-2024 | 18:00 - 20:30 | Leiden | Listening deeply |
| 26-03-2024 | 18:00 - 20:30 | Leiden | Being compassionate |
| 02-04-2024 | 18:00 - 20:30 | The Hague | Designing differently |
| 16-04-2024 | 18:00 - 20:30 | Leiden | Transcending silos |
| 30-04-2024 | 18:00 - 20:30 | Leiden | Practicing reflexivity |
| 07-05-2024 | 18:00 - 20:30 | The Hague | Speaking up |
| 28-05-2024 | 18:00 - 20:30 | Leiden | Synthesizing knowledge |
| 04-06-2024 | 18:00 - 20:30 | The Hague | Providing feedback (optional) |
Admission requirements
This orientation course is mandatory for students that start with the FSW Honours College track Science, Society and Self in the second semester of their first academic year. This course welcomes students from all disciplines and all walks of life.
Registration
Students do not need to register for this course. Registration is automatic when participation in the Science, Society and Self track is confirmed by email.
Contact information
If you have any questions, please contact the course coordinator at
j.p.r.buijs@fsw.leidenuniv.nl