Admission requirements
This course is an (extracurricular) Skills Module, open to students from all faculties. Advanced bachelor’s students (BA3 and up) can apply, as well as master’s students. Students will be selected based on their motivation.
Please note that the Skills Module, being an extracurricular course, cannot be used in the elective space of your regular programme.
Topics
Climate change, Transitions, Sustainability, Life design, Personal development, Job market preparation
Disciplines
Career development, Transition Management, Governance, Sustainability
Admission requirements
This course is an extracurricular Skills Module aimed at Bachelor’s and/or Master’s students who want to make a difference in fighting climate change (or sustainability in broader terms) in their career. Admission will be based on motivation. As this is an extracurricular module, the credits cannot be used in your regular programme.
Description
Are you ready to turn your passion for a better planet into a meaningful career? This course is your launchpad to uncovering your unique role in creating a sustainable and just future. Through eye-opening tools, inspiring guest speakers, and hands-on exercises, you’ll gain the clarity, connections, and confidence to make an impact.
This isn't your typical classroom experience. We combine transition thinking, self-leadership exercises and job market exploration to give you a holistic approach to becoming a change maker. We will alternate between the personal (our fears, hopes and dreams) and the analytical (how societal change works) in order to help you bridge those and find your place. By seriously engaging with this class, you'll develop the self-knowledge and strategies to take ownership of your changemaker journey. Plus, you'll be part of a supportive community, working in small groups guided by a peer mentor.
Disclaimer:
This is a very personal course. While many students experience personal growth in life design courses, this course is not a substitute for professional mental health guidance. If you are struggling with mental health issues, please seek out professional help. You can also find additional support options on the Healthy University page of Leiden University.
Course objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Visualize the brightest future possible: learn to see beyond the current challenges and envision a sustainable, inclusive, and just future.
- Discover your drive: understand what motivates you to be part of the great turning towards a liveable planet.
- Connect with change makers: learn how to find and connect with people and organizations already doing this work.
- Analyse societal transitions: gain a deep understanding of how societal transitions work and your role in them.
- Leverage your talents: identify and articulate your unique set of talents to contribute to the transition of your choice.
- Build resilience: develop strategies to deal with obstacles and setbacks on your journey.
- Prototype your career: learn how to prototype your career as a change maker
Programme and timetable
The sessions of this Skills Module will take place on Fridays, from 13.15-16.00, in Leiden (various locations).
Session 1: Active Hope & the Path to Change (7 February, Old Observatory, C1.02)
Feel overwhelmed by climate news? You’re not alone. In this opening session, you will learn Active Hope, a practice that turns anxiety into action. You’ll also connect with classmates and your peer mentor group—your support system on this changemaker journey.
Session 2: Seeing the Big Picture with the X-Curve (14 February, Old Observatory, C1.02)
Zoom out and discover your role in the grand story of societal transitions. The X-Curve reveals the patterns of breaking down the old and building up the new—and how chaos is actually an opportunity for change. By understanding this process, you’ll be better equipped to thrive as a changemaker, even in uncertain times.
Session 3: Networking Superpowers & Guest Insights (21 February, Old Observatory, C1.02)
Networking isn’t about awkward small talk—it’s about asking for directions for your future. Learn practical networking strategies in a supportive setting, and then apply them immediately with guest speakers who are already active in reshaping society. Use your networking skills to learn from their stories.
Session 4: Your Vision of a Brighter Future (28 February, Kamerlingh Onnes Building, B0.25)
What would a just and liveable world look like? This session is all about imagining the best possible future and discovering your possible role bringing this future closer. By articulating your beliefs and vision, you’ll uncover the fuel of your career journey.
Session 5: Exploring Your Multiple Futures (7 March, Old Observatory, C1.02)
What if there’s more than one perfect path for you? Spoiler: there is! In this session, you’ll map out three potential futures where you make meaningful contributions to societal change. Then, start experimenting with elements of each path to see which feels right for you.
Session 6: Your Talents, Roles & Dream Organizations (14 March, Lipsius 1.23)
What makes you you? Dive into your strengths, uncover what energises you, and articulate the role you naturally play in groups. We’ll also explore organisations driving change and how your talents can align with their missions, so you can find your contribution.
Session 7: Changemakers in Action (21 March)
Step out of the classroom and into the real world! On this excursion, you’ll meet inspiring individuals who are already creating impact in their communities. Witness firsthand what a changemaker’s life looks like and gain insights for your own journey.
Session 8: Resilience for the Changemaker’s Journey (4 April, Kamerlingh Onnes Building, B.0.41)
Change is hard—and sometimes overwhelming. Learn how to overcome internal obstacles like eco-anxiety, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism. Share strategies for resilience and build a mindset that helps you tackle challenges and stay on course, no matter what comes your way.
Session 9: Final Presentations & Collective Inspiration (11 April, Old Observatory, C1.02)
Celebrate how far you’ve come! Share your insights, reflections, and plans for the future in an inspiring finale. This isn’t just the end of the course—it’s the start of a lifelong journey toward making a difference. Let’s build the future together.
Location:
Old Observatory, Lipsius building and Kamerlingh Onnes Building
Reading list
Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, Designing Your Life. How to build a well-lived, joyful life (edition doesn’t matter).
Other literature will be announced via Brightspace
Course load and teaching method
This course is worth 5 ECTS, which means the total course load equals 140 hours:
Class meetings: 9 x 3 hours = 27 hours
Preparation for class: 9 x 5 hours = 45 hours
Interviews: 3 x 6 hours = 18 hours
Personal reflection portfolio: 25 hours
Job market research: 5 hours
Transition analysis: 20 hours
Assessment methods
The assessment methods will be discussed during the first session.
Students can only pass this course after successful completion of all partial exams.
The class will be evaluated in a pass/fail manner.
Brightspace
Brightspace will be used in this course. Students will be enrolled to the Brightspace module by the organisation of the course.
Application process
Submitting an application for this course is possible up until Monday 13 January 2025, 23:59 hours through this link.
Please note: students are not required to register through uSis for this course. Your registration will be done centrally.
Contact
Dr. Bram Hoonhout (b.m.hoonhout@ha.leidenuniv.nl)