Creative complementary studies: Interdisciplinary exchange at Leuphana!

Creative complementary studies: Interdisciplinary exchange at Leuphana!

The challenges of our time require intensive interdisciplinary exchange. This insight forms the basis for the reformed complementary studies at Leuphana College. At this science forum, students and teachers discuss social issues together, ranging from digitalization to the climate crisis and artificial intelligence. Topics such as diversity and sustainable innovation must also be viewed in an interdisciplinary manner in order to do justice to the complex questions of our world. Leuphana reports.

The complementary course is divided into six central subject areas: digitality and technology, economy and innovation, individual and society, values ​​and identity, art and communication, and nature and the environment. These subject areas are designed to combine perspectives from different disciplines. Students have the opportunity to choose from a total of 100 to 120 courses and to familiarize themselves with all six subject areas by taking one module per semester.

Interdisciplinary approaches in education

Interdisciplinarity is not just a buzzword, but an essential part of modern academic education. The WWU (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster) positions itself as an outstanding institution for interdisciplinary research. As a comprehensive university, it offers almost all subjects on site, which promotes interdisciplinary collaboration. The WWU is particularly active in research in the humanities and natural sciences and has developed a transfer concept that closely links research and its application. University of Münster explains.

The need for interdisciplinary approaches is particularly evident in areas such as sustainability. Here, innovative questions and research approaches can emerge through the exchange of a wide variety of perspectives. Students benefit significantly from this interdisciplinary research, which is integrated into teaching. However, it is important that these approaches do not replace disciplinary training, but rather complement it meaningfully.

Challenges and opportunities

The institutionalization of interdisciplinary approaches brings with it challenges. To promote these approaches, suitable structures are necessary that enable exchange between disciplines. Doctoral students must develop both a strong disciplinary profile and build an interdisciplinary understanding to meet the demands of modern research.

These developments in education show how essential it is for universities to address societal challenges with an interdisciplinary approach. The students' world of experience is enriched by programs such as the complementary studies at Leuphana, as the interaction of different perspectives and areas of knowledge is encouraged and enables new insights. In addition to the combination of various topics and subjects, the exchange between learners and teachers is promoted, which is essential for solving complex problems.

Overall, educational institutions such as the WWU and Leuphana are at the forefront of developing innovative educational models that address key social challenges and address them with an interdisciplinary approach.