Un College Freiburg

Module Handbook
B.A./B.Sc. Liberal Arts and Sciences

Academic Year 2012/13
Module Handbook B.A./B.Sc. Liberal Arts and Sciences
University College Freiburg, 1
st
J uly 2013
This handbook provides all necessary information on the modules of the four-year bachelor program Liberal
Arts and Sciences. The legal foundation for the Liberal Arts and Science program is provided in the Rules and
Regulations that were passed (in German) by the University Senate in its meeting on 25 April 2012 and
approved by the Rector on 16 May 2012 (see Official Bulletins Volume 43, No. 55, pp. 212-232, 18 May 2012).

Contents

I. General Information ..................................................................................................... 1
1. Study Areas ............................................................................................................ 1
2. Structure of the LAS Program .................................................................................. 2
2.1 Year 1 Foundational Year ...............................................................................................2
II. Module Descriptions .................................................................................................... 4
1. Core Modules ......................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Liberal Arts and Sciences - Backgrounds, Ideas, Challenges ...............................................4
1.2 Exploring Complex Problems ................................................................................................5
1.3 Sharing Knowledge ...............................................................................................................6
1.4 Anthropology and Experience ..............................................................................................7
1.5 Dealing with Numerical Information ....................................................................................8
2. Modules of the Major Culture and History .............................................................. 9
2.1 Introduction to Culture and History .....................................................................................9
2.2 Culture and History Up to the Early Modern Period ......................................................... 10
3. Modules of the Major Governance ......................................................................... 11
3.1 Introduction to Governance .............................................................................................. 11
4. Modules of the Major Life Sciences ........................................................................ 12
4.1 Introduction to Life Sciences ............................................................................................. 12
5. Modules of the Major Earth and Environmental Sciences ....................................... 13
5.1 Introduction to Earth and Environmental Sciences........................................................... 13
6. Language Modules ................................................................................................. 14
6.1 Language and Culture ........................................................................................................ 14
6.2 Academic English Programme ........................................................................................... 15
6.3 Further Languages ............................................................................................................. 15

st
J uly 2013 1
I. General Information
This module handbook provides an overview of the curriculum of the English-taught,
four- year Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) and summaries all necessary
information about the individual modules taught.

1. Study Areas
The LAS program consists of four study areas:
1. The Core (66 ECTS points) constitutes the intellectual identity of LAS at the University
of Freiburg: All students are trained intensively in general academic skills
(researching and presenting complex problems, effective writing, numerical literacy
etc.). In order to put these skills into context and to exemplify the necessity and
complexity of interdisciplinary thought and action, the first year of the program
focusses on contemporary societal challenges (such as Global Inequality, Public
Health, Environmental Issues etc.). In the higher semesters of the core program, the
students coursework is continuously complemented by instruction in the theory of
science, knowledge and research. Finally, students follow a curriculum focusing on
responsibility and leadership.
2. The Languages part of the program (36 ECTS) ensures that all LAS students can
communicate on academic topics in excellent English and good German. They are
encouraged to acquire a good grounding in a third language.
3. The Major (90 ECTS) constitutes the students thorough training in an
interdisciplinary academic field of the Sciences and/or the Humanities (Life
Sciences, Culture and History, Earth and Environmental Sciences,
Governance). It aims to provide sufficient depth to make admission into
disciplinary M.A. or M.Sc. programs possible.
st
J uly 2013 2
4. An Electives area of the curriculum (48 ECTS) enables students to either pursue
further studies of their choice, engage in more practically oriented projects or
undertake specific additional training necessary for admission into their chosen M.A.
or M.Sc. programs.

2. Structure of the LAS Program

The LAS program is mostly organized in a block schedule with a total of six blocks per
academic year (three blocks in the winter term and summer term, respectively). Individual
modules are taught within a single block and are usually divided into course, exam and
reflection periods. The shorter blocks three and six are devoted to one topic only and may
take the form of an intensive spring or summer school.

Schedule for the Academic Year 2012/2013:

2.1 Year 1 Foundational Year

The Foundational Year focusses on the study of fundamental real-world problems that are
characterized both by their current relevance and their inherent complexity. Current topics
include: Transformations of Body and Mind, Community, Migration, Identity, Dealing
with Waste: Matter and Problems, Feeding the World without Destroying the Planet.
These topics introduce students to studying questions from different perspectives and
enable instruction in core academic skills, such as research, writing and presentation. In
addition to these broad foundational courses, students choose two to three courses, each of
which will provide an overview of one of the four majors. Finally, as during the following
years, students have the chance to develop language skills according to interests and needs.

st
J uly 2013 3
Modules of the Foundational Year:

st
J uly 2013 4
II. Module Descriptions
1. Core Modules
1.1 Liberal Arts and Sciences - Backgrounds, Ideas, Challenges
Area Core
Type Compulsory Module
Teaching Forms Lecture
Interval Yearly, block 1 & 2 Year 1
Duration 16 weeks ECTS 6
Workload 180 h (of which 40 h attendance) Language English
Module Coordinator Dr. N. Eschenbruch, nicholas.eschenbruch@ucf.uni-freiburg.de
Additional Lecturers
Prof. Dr. B. Zimmermann, Dr. V. Balli, Dr. S. Bchner, Dr. K. Moll, Dr. R.
Plumley
Convener Prof. Dr. B. Zimmermann
Requirements None
Content The module introduces the Liberal Arts and Sciences. It elucidates the
historical background and current positioning of LAS in the national and
international educational landscape and discusses the specific expectations
and learning experience of students in an LAS framework. Special emphasis
will be put on a concrete and practical introduction to the epistemological
focus of the LAS study program.
Learning Goals (1) Basic knowledge of the historical genesis of LAS and contemporary
developments in this approach to education.
(2) Basic ability to classify and reflect upon ones own learning experiences
in the LAS framework, and encouragement to do so.
(3) Basic knowledge of epistemology and scholarly/scientific research, as
well as approaches to critical reflection about these topics, particularly
- methodological procedure in scholarship and research (experiment,
systematic observation, modelling, hermeneutics, among others)
- objectivity and subjectivity
- the history and sociology of academic disciplines
Assessed (Pass/Fail)
Coursework
3 ECTS, Block 1: a learning journal with four weekly entries, each of at least
two pages.
Graded Examination 3 ECTS, Block 2: a learning journal with four weekly entries, each of at least
two pages, and a final reflection paper of at least four pages.

st
J uly 2013 5
1.2 Exploring Complex Problems
Area Core
Teaching Forms Lecture (3 ECTS), Work Group (3 ECTS)
Interval Yearly, block 1 Year 1
Module Coordinator Dr. S. Bchner, simon.bchner@ucf.uni-freiburg.de
Additional Lecturers Dr. V. Balli, Dr. N. Eschenbruch, Dr. K. Moll, Dr. R. Plumley
Requirements None
Content The module covers two basic skills of scholarly work: literature research
and presentation of a topic in a talk. It will impart theoretical knowledge on
the skills while at the same time practice them on current complex
problems. The students will learn how to independently research literature,
how to summarize its content, how to use it in an essay, and how to
present a topic to a particular audience. Throughout the whole module the
research practices and traditions in different disciplines will be addressed.
Learning Goals (1) Recognize and classify different forms of knowledge and their usage.
(2) Identification and classification of scholarly and non-scholarly texts.
(3) The ability to find literature on a particular topic in libraries, search
engines and literature data bases.
(4) The ability to find literature on a particular topic in libraries, search
engines and literature data bases.
(5) The ability to understand and summarize simple scholarly texts.
(6) The ability to present a topic to peers within a given time frame.
Coursework
3 ECTS, students give an effective and structured presentation about a
topic to their peers (time restricted) AND attendance during seminar
Graded Examination 3 ECTS, 2 Graded Examinations: an essay (750-1000 words) on the
presentation of a topic in different sources (40%) AND an annotated
bibliography based on about 10-20 sources (60%)

st
J uly 2013 6
1.3 Sharing Knowledge
Area Core
Teaching Forms Lecture (3 ECTS), Work Group (3 ECTS)
Workload 180 h (of which 40h attendance) Language English
Module Coordinator Dr. R. Plumley, ryan.plumley@ucf.uni-freiburg.de
Additional Lecturers Dr. V. Balli, Dr. S. Bchner, Dr. N. Eschenbruch, Dr. K. Moll
Content
This module introduces students to the challenges of sharing knowledge
through written expression. One overarching goal is to explore how writing
is not simply a passive medium of communication but also a social activity
that involves many actors and has multiple effects in the world. To that
end, writing skills are developed in response to one of a set of complex
social, intellectual, and cultural problems that provide the topical material
for the module.
Particular emphasis will be put on the genre of the short, thesis-based
essay that deploys logic, evidence, and rhetoric in order to both inform and
persuade an audience. Over eight weeks, the students will develop an
essay relevant to one of the set of specific topics. This development will
involve preparatory writing, research, outlining, drafting, and revising in
progressive stages.
Learning Goals
(1) Learning to think of writing as a process with multiple stages, including
preparation, composition, and revision.
(2) The development of basic writing skills such as outlining, free-writing,
and self-directed revision.
(3) The ability to organize and effectively recapitulate information to
others in writing (e.g., analytical synopsis, description of an
experiment, etc.).
(4) The ability to give appropriate attention to contextincluding
audience, situation, genre, and disciplinein ones writing.
(5) The ability to argue for a well-informed opinion in writing with
evidentiary, logical, and rhetorical rigor.
(6) Recognition of the importance of clear and convincing writing to
scholarship and other forms of sharing knowledge.
Coursework
3 ECTS, A provisional 250-500 words research statement (including
justification, overview, and potential resources) AND an essay outline with
plausible argumentative structure AND attendance during seminar
Graded Examination
3 ECTS, Two essays: analytical synopsis (ca. 1500 words) of 1-3 sources of
various kinds (30%) AND a polished thesis-based essay (1500-2000 words)
based on independent research and developed over multiple stages (70%).
st
J uly 2013 7
1.4 Anthropology and Experience
Area Core
Teaching Forms
Seminar (3 ECTS)
Work Group (3 ECTS)
Interval block 5, 2, 3 Year 1 and 2
Duration 8 weeks (4 weeks) ECTS 6
Module Coordinator Dr. Nicholas Eschenbruch, eschenbruch@ucf.uni-freiburg.de
Requirements None
Content This is the first course of the LAS Curriculum Responsibility and
Leadership. It uses several perspectives to explore questions of human
nature and personal identity that lie at the heart of any thorough
understanding of responsible action.
The Seminar draws on texts from Biology, Philosophy, Anthropology,
Psychology and Sociology to explore how different academic disciplines put
different emphases on what characterises human beings.
The Work Group uses self-reflexive ideas and tools as a starting point for
an exploration of ones own actual experience as a human being, and
discusses how those relate to the academic perspectives studied in the
seminar.
Learning Goals (1) To realise that different academic disciplines have quite different views
on human nature, and get acquainted with some classic disciplinary
positions and approaches to that question.
(2) To realise that implicit or explicit ideas on human nature can structure
both scientific inquiry about humans and actual human behaviour.
(3) To develop a clearer idea about ones own assumptions and positions
about what it means to be human, to be able to relate them critically to
academic positions on that question, and to be able to sustain or
challenge them in discussion.
Graded Coursework Seminar: regular attendance and an essay of 1800-2000 words
Work Group: regular active attendance

st
J uly 2013 8
1.5 Dealing with Numerical Information
Area Core
Teaching Forms
Lecture and Exercise Tutorial (3 ECTS),
Work Group and Software Tutorial (3 ECTS)
Module Coordinator Dr. K. Moll, karin.moll@ucf.uni-freiburg.de
Additional Lecturers Dr. S. Bchner, PD Dr. M. Junker, T. Schuster
Requirements None
Content The module introduces the usage of numerical data and techniques in
scientific, as well as non-scientific work. Students learn different forms of
data illustration and falsification. They procure basic theoretical and
practical knowledge of probability theory and descriptive and analytical
statistics. Additionally, students acquaint themselves with methods of
formal logic and numerical models of growth.
Topics are presented during lectures and discussed in Work Groups.
Numerical techniques are practiced with exercise sheets and applied during
software tutorials using the statistics package R.
Learning Goals On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
(1) Interpret and analyse numerical and graphical information.
(2) Illustrate numerical data meaningfully.
(3) Recall key concepts of probability theory, statistical methods, formal
logic and growth.
(4) Apply basic descriptive and analytical statistics, methods of formal logic
and concept of growth to different sets of data.
Coursework
3 ECTS, attendance during work group and software tutorials AND 50% of
all possible points awarded for correct answers in the exercises.
Graded Examination 3 ECTS, formal written exam (90 min)

st
J uly 2013 9
2. Modules of the Major Culture and History
2.1 Introduction to Culture and History
Area Culture and History
Type
Compulsory for Culture and History Major
Compulsory Elective for other Majors
Teaching Forms
Seminar (3 ECTS)
Work Group (3 ECTS)
Interval Twice a year, block 4 & 5 Year 1
Content In this module, students encounter and work with typical objects of
study and research in the humanities: literary and philosophical texts,
works of art, and customs or rituals. At the same time, they practice the
scholarly methods of critical inquiry and interpretation that can be applied
to these objects and practices.
In the Seminar, students read and discuss important works, many of
them classics in their field, which introduce the problems and promise of
specific scholarly approaches to humanistic research and study.
In the Work Group, students undertake the techniques of humanistic
interpretation with specific cultural objects or practices.
Although the objects and practices are not all necessarily derived from
the same temporal or geographic context, students also learn to think
about how cultural work emerges out of historical and other contexts.
The module is designed to encourage independent reflection about
cultural objects undertaken in dialogue with peers. Hence, both substantial
reading and work outside of class time and substantial discussion in class
are required.
Learning Goals Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
(1) Intelligently interpret a cultural object or practice at a basic level.
(2) Identify and undertake scholarly research appropriate to cultural objects
and practices of various kinds (literary, art historical, anthropological,
etc.).
(3) Critically evaluate a scholarly interpretation of a cultural object or
practice.
Coursework
3 ECTS: satisfactory participation in the module and its associated activities,
completion of all required small assignments (anthropological observation,
reading reports, etc.).
Graded Examination 3 ECTS: a thesis-based interpretive essay of 5-7 pages that addresses one of
the objects of study from the module and engages with one scholarly
response to that object.
st
J uly 2013 10
2.2 Culture and History Up to the Early Modern Period
Area Culture and History
Type
Compulsory Elective for Culture and History Major
Elective for other Majors
Teaching Forms
Seminar (3 ECTS)
Work Group (3 ECTS)
Additional Lecturers Prof. Dr. Gehrke
Requirements Successful completion of the module Introduction to Culture and History
Content In this module students encounter the cultural and historical study of a
pre-modern geographical and temporal context. In doing so, they learn
how to work with the typical source materials for the study of pre-modern
societies and cultures.
The Seminar substantively develops students' knowledge about a
specific topic chosen by the instructor. Emphasis may be put on cultivating
general historical context, exploration of a theme or problem, or working
with a specific body of source materials.
The Work Group develops students theoretical and methodological
knowledge and abilities in ways suited to the study of pre-modern societies
and cultures. Methodological and theoretical points of focus may include
archaeology, hermeneutics, literary theory, reception analysis, the analysis
of visual culture, or historical methods, among others.
The module is offered in varying forms with varying topics. For specific
details about the geo-temporal and material content, about the
methodological emphasis, and about the teaching/learning format consult
the instructor in the relevant block.
(1) demonstrate mastery of a specific body of knowledge about a pre-
modern society or culture.
(2) apply their methodological and theoretical learning from the Work
Group to the specific topical material studied in the Seminar.
(3) relate their learning about pre-modern societies to contemporary
problems and issues.
Coursework
3 ECTS: satisfactory participation in the module and its associated activities,
satisfactory completion of all required assignments.
Graded Examination 3 ECTS: a thesis-based Essay.

st
J uly 2013 11
3. Modules of the Major Governance
3.1 Introduction to Governance
Area Governance
Type
Compulsory for Governance Major
Teaching Forms
Seminar (3 ECTS)
Work Group (3 ECTS)
Interval Twice a year, block 4 & 5 Year 1
Module Coordinator Dr. V. Balli, volker.balli@ucf.uni-freiburg.de
Content The module offers a general introduction to the study of governance.
"Governance" is understood here in a broad, non-technical sense: the ways
we deal with common problems. Our focus will be on transformations of
governance over the last two to four decades. Guiding questions will be:
Which problems are addressed? How are they identified? Which means
and which institutions are resorted to? What are the conflicts and tensions
in these fields? We will study these questions by focusing on phenomena of
governance at three "levels": the local, the European, and the global. Each
level will be dealt with in a set of sessions. First, we will delineate the
general characteristics of the respective level of governance: actors,
institutions and rules, and their recent transformations. Then, we will deal
with one case of governance in more depth. In this way, we will become
more familiar with a number of key concepts, analytical perspectives, and
theoretical issues in the study of governance.
In the first session of each week (Seminar), the focus will be on an input
by the lecturer. The second session (Work Group) will consist primarily of
discussions. All sessions will be based on readings.
Learning Goals Upon successful completion of this module, students should:
(1) Become acquainted with fundamental questions in the study of
governance.
(2) Understand and be able to use key concepts in the study of governance.
(3) Become familiar with a variety of phenomena of governance.
(4) Get to know the plurality of scholarly discourses/ disciplines/ sub-
disciplines that contribute to the study of governance.
Coursework
3 ECTS: Regular attendance of the classes AND a 10 minute presentation on
a sub-aspect of the topic dealt with in a session.
Graded Examination 3 ECTS: A 2500 word analytic essay.

st
J uly 2013 12
4. Modules of the Major Life Sciences
4.1 Introduction to Life Sciences
Area Life Sciences
Type
Compulsory for Life Sciences Major
Teaching Forms Lecture (3 ECTS), Workgroup (3 ECTS)
Interval Once a year, block 5 Year 1
Module Coordinator Dr. S. Bchner, simon.bchner@ucf.uni-freiburg.de
Additional Lecturers -
Requirements None
Content In this module, students will learn about basic concepts in the Life
Sciences. In particular, the course will focus on the biological and
psychological systems that sustain a human being and allow him or her to
deal with a complex environment. This includes interaction with the
environment, sensation and action, physiological systems, and the
functioning of cells. Besides the structures and processes that make up
these systems, students will learn about methods from the Life Sciences
that are employed to investigate these systems.
In Work Groups, students will research, present and discuss challenges
from the fields of Cell Biology, Physiology, Neurobiology and Psychology.
Lab visits to different kinds of lab, in which students will experience the
work in scientific laboratories, will round off the course.
Learning Goals Upon successful completion of this module, students should:
(1) Have basic knowledge about the biological and psychological systems
of the human body and the ways they allow the human being to
interact with the environment
(2) Have advanced knowledge in one challenge from the Life Sciences
(3) Be ready to conduct simple scientific experiments
(4) Be able to present a topic according to basic scientific standards
Coursework
3 ECTS: satisfactory participation in the Work Group AND participation in a
lab visit AND an oral presentation during the Work Group
Graded Examination 3 ECTS: a formal written exam (45 min, 50%) AND an essay or a report
(50%)

st
J uly 2013 13
5. Modules of the Major Earth and Environmental Sciences
5.1 Introduction to Earth and Environmental Sciences
Area Earth and Environmental Sciences
Type
Compulsory for Earth and Environmental Sciences Major
Teaching Forms Lecture and Work Group (3 ECTS), Practical (3 ECTS)
Interval Once a year, block 5 Year 1
Module Coordinator Dr. K. Moll, karin.moll@ucf.uni-freiburg.de
Requirements None
Content In this module, students explore past and contemporary environmental
challenges. They acquaint themselves with the basic knowledge of the
interacting components of our Earth system that are necessary to
understand these challenges. These components include our physical
environment (e.g. structure and function of the atmosphere), our living
environment (e.g. structure and function of ecosystems), as well as the
interaction between the two. In addition, students familiarise themselves
with the basic research methods that are used in the field of environmental
studies.
Students learn about components of the Earth system during Lectures
and present and discuss past and contemporary environmental challenges
in their Work Groups. They practice research methods during practical
classes.
(1) Recall basic structures and functions of different components of the
Earth system and their interaction with each other
(2) Explain links between these components and past and contemporary
environmental challenges
(3) Perform basic scientific work/experiments
(4) Present a topic according to basic scientific standards (orally and in
written form)
Coursework
3 ECTS: satisfactory participation in the work group and practical classes
AND an oral presentation during the workgroup
Graded Examination 3 ECTS: a formal written exam (45 min, 50%) AND a formal scientific report
on one of the practical classes (50%)

st
J uly 2013 14
6. Language Modules

Language courses can be selected from those offered by the Language Teaching Centre
(Sprachlehrinstitut, SLI) or other institutions of the University of Freiburg. The University
College Freiburg only offers language modules depending on student need.

6.1 Language and Culture
Area Language
Type Compulsory Elective Module
Teaching Forms Seminar, workgroup
Interval
Block 1 & 2 (offering interval
dependent on student need)
Year 1
Workload 180 h (of 40 h attendance) Language English
Module Coordinator G. Leung , glenda.leung@anglistik.uni-freiburg.de
Additional Lecturers J. Landgrebe, J. Vagg
Requirements None
Content This module is two-fold in purpose as it develops the students skills in
academic English through the exploration of topics in language and culture.
In regards to the content, the topics are taken from the disciplines of
speech communication, linguistics, and dialectology. By interrogating
commonly held beliefs on language, students gain a deeper appreciation of
the very complex role language plays in human interaction. In terms of
academic English, this module is an integrated skills course in which
students have the opportunity to advance their reading, writing, listening,
and speaking competences appropriate to an undergraduate level.
Learning Goals Learning goals in relation to academic English development:
(1) To read introductory-level undergraduate academic texts with ease
(2) To write a variety of paragraph types within an academic essay
(3) To deliver short informative and persuasive speeches
(4) To take comprehensive notes during an academic talk
(5) To develop general academic vocabulary

Learning goals in relation to topics:
(1) To dispel myths surrounding language usage
(2) To foster an awareness of how language can be investigated
scientifically
Coursework
Students will submit an academic English portfolio consisting of written and
oral artefacts.

st
J uly 2013 15
6.2 Academic English Programme
Area Language
Interval
Block 3 (offering interval
dependent on student need)
Year 1
Duration 4 weeks (shorter block possible) ECTS 3
Workload 90 h (of 20 h attendance) Language English
Module Coordinator G. Leung , glenda.leung@anglistik.uni-freiburg.de
Additional Lecturers
Requirements Language and Culture
Content These modules explicitly address particular aspects of academic English. On
offer are grammar modules as wells as foundation modules which target
specific skills (3 ETCS each).
(1) Advanced English grammar (various levels)
(2) Foundation in composition
(3) Foundation in public speaking
Learning Goals The learning goals are dependent on the topical focus of the module.
Coursework
Grammar module: Examination
Foundation module: A minimum of two pieces of work

6.3 Further Languages
Area Language
Interval dependent on student need
Duration 2-8 weeks ECTS 3- 6
Module Coordinator
These modules can be offered in close co-operation with the SLI, or in part
or fully - under the auspices of the SLI.
Additional Lecturers A. Guilhem-Hou (French)
Content Depending on student need and level, tailor-made modules in foreign
languages other than English will be offered.
Learning Goals The learning goals are dependent on the needs analysis.
Coursework
To be announced at the beginning of each course

Un College Freiburg

Transféré par

Informations du document

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Un College Freiburg

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Module Handbook

B.A./B.Sc. Liberal Arts and Sciences

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi