6 ECTS credits
154 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 1019924CNR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (C) Bachelor - specialised level.
‘Reason and Engage’ is an interdisciplinary course that puts into practice the VUB’s vision on society and education. Evidence-based education, free research, co-creation, sustainability and civic engagement are the VUB’s core values. Based on these pillars, ‘Reason and Engage’ wants to stimulate critical reflection on some of the most urgent and challenging issues of our times. The course focuses on one overarching and thought-provoking topic each year. Hereby, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) serve as framework.
The language of instruction is Dutch. Invitation of English lecturers is possible.
Academic learning goals
- The students distinguish, know and respect different academic perspectives concerning the overarching theme
- The students reflect critically on the arguments presented in the lectures, debates and scientific literature concerning the topics discussed
- The students can formulate their ideas and opinions with respect to the topics discussed
- The students can collect scientific arguments to strengthen their opinion
- The students can cooperate in an interdisciplinary group
- Students are competent to conduct science-based research in line with societal challenges
Civic learning goals
- The students have insight in the civic actors concerned with the central topic
- The students have insight in the needs of a diversity of actors concerned with the central topic
- The students can formulate evidence-based opinions and ideas and opinions, related to a societal challenge
- The students can share their findings with a broader public
Personal learning goals
- The students relate the acquired knowledge to their own study-expertise and -environment
- The students distinguish different forms of personal engagement concerning the central topic
- The students reflect systematically on their own thoughts and behavior related to the multidisciplinary teamwork and include feedback of others in this reflection
- The students do formulate relevant learning goals and tasks, related to the multidisciplinary teamwork
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The evaluation procedure for ‘Reason and Engage’ follows the pass/fail-principle. The evaluation implies both process and product evaluation. Process evaluation concerns the preparation on and individual contributions to lectures, group work, attendance and active participation in workshops and teamwork. Product evaluation concerns the quality of tasks fulfilled and handed in.
The student monitors use an evaluation card (see student manual). Students are expected to evolve in the different components of the student evaluation throughout the academic year. The evaluations are combined in a global ratting: pass or fail. There are thus no ‘marks’. The evaluation of ‘Reason and Engage’ does not influence grading. There is no re-examination for ‘Reason and Engage’.
The evaluation procedure is also described in detail in the student manual available on Canvas.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Adult Education: Profile Social Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Adult Education: Profile Cultural Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Adult Education: Abridged Profile Social Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Adult Education: Abridged Profile Cultural Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Adult Education: Profile Education Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Adult Education: Abridged Profile Education Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Philosophy and Moral Sciences: default (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Physical Education and Movement Sciences: default (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Physical Education and Movement Sciences: Abridged Traject after Training Professional Bachelor Education: Secundary Education with Option LO (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Physical Education and Movement Sciences: Verkort traject na vooropleiding (Revalidatiewetenschappen en) Kinesitherapie (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Physical Education and Movement Sciences: topsport (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Educational Sciences: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Psychology: Afstudeerrichting arbeids- en organisatiepsychologie (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Adult Education: Profile Cultural Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Adult Education: Profile Social Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Criminology: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Communication Studies: Media, Internet and Globalisation (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Communication Studies: Media and Culture (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Communication Studies: Media, Journalism and Politics (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Communication Studies: Media, Strategic Communications & Marketing (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Sociology: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Political Science: Democracy and Leadership (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Business Engineering: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Business Economics: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Mathematics: Fundamental Mathematics (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Literary Studies - 1 language (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Linguistics - 1 language (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Literary Studies - 2 languages (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Linguistics - 2 languages (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: profile Intermediality - 1 language (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: profile Intermediality - 2 languages (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: profile Neurolinguistics and Psycholinguistics - 1 language (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: profile Neurolinguistics and Psycholinguistics - 2 languages (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Educational Sciences: Standaard traject
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Literary Studies 1 Language
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Literary Studies 2 Languages
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Linguistics 1 Language
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Linguistics 2 Languages
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Psycholinguistics and Neurolinguistics 1 Language
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Psycholinguistics and Neurolinguistics 2 Languages
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Multilingualism and Foreign Language Acquisition 1 Language
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Multilingualism and Foreign Language Acquisition 2 Languages
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Intermediality - 1 language
Master of Linguistics and Literary Studies: Profile Intermediality - 2 languages
Bridging Programme for Master of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Preparatory Programme Master of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy: Default track (only offered in Dutch)