Module Cluster “Global Learning”

The module cluster Global Learning centers around sustainable development, with a specific focus on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). If you are interested in ESD and would like to explore the topic and deepen your knowledge in a learning environment that aims to promote interdisciplinary exchange and transcultural learning, this module cluster is a good fit for you. You will study side by side with local students in most, if not all, courses. The module cluster can be completed in one semester, making it a great option for an exchange semester.

You need to be enrolled at TU Braunschweig to study the module cluster.

As all Global Learning courses will be taught in English, adequate language skills are recommended.

There are no other requirements on our part. If you have any questions about the module cluster in general or the requirements in particular, please contact global-learning(at)tu-braunschweig.de.

The module cluster is structured around three main areas - Foundations, Specialisation, and In Practice -, complemented by a language course. In total, you can obtain 30 ECTS when completing all parts of the module cluster:

A. Education for Sustainable Development: Foundations (8 ECTS)

The foundational area provides a basic introduction to sustainable development and ESD. It focuses on concepts and dimensions of sustainable development (environmental, social, economic, ethical), as well as on ESD and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The courses also address topics such as sustainability in institutions and educational settings, promoting and implementing sustainable development at both local and global levels, and participation and sustainability.

Courses:

• Introductory Course: Ankerveranstaltung P3: Introduction to Education for Sustainable Development (5 ECTS)

• 1 Advanced Course* (3 ECTS)

B. Perspectives within Education for Sustainable Development (9 ECTS)

The specialisation area aims to promote a deeper engagement with ESD and to foster an understanding of its disciplinary and thematic diversity. Consequently, this area focuses on various subject-specific perspectives and content related to ESD.

Courses:

• 2 Advanced Courses* (3 ECTS each)

• Online Course “Sustainability Communication” (3 ECTS)

C. Education for Sustainable Development in Practice (8 ECTS)

The practical area aims to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the foundational and specialisation areas in a real-world context. To this end, students work in small groups to carry out a practical project (research or action) within the context of ESD. This includes planning, implementing and evaluating the individual project (including supervision meetings), writing a project outline  and creating a visual product (total workload: approx. 120 hours) as well as a written elaboration on the project. The specific design of the project is left up to the students.

D. Language course (5 ECTS)

The language course should align with students' interests and/or practical needs. If a suitable language course is not available, the corresponding ECTS may be replaced by taking an additional course in the specialisation area and extending the non-graded coursework in the practical area.

The courses offered for Global Learning each semester are listed in the guidelines and course portfolio (see Downloads). They are also marked as such in the TU course catalogue.

The courses are offered either weekly or as block courses. The compulsory introductory course „Ankerveranstaltung P3: Introduction to Education for Sustainable Development“ is offered as an in-person course each winter term. The entire module cluster can therefore only be studied in the winter term. Generally, three advanced courses are offered each semester. For more information on the advanced courses, please refer to the course portfolio available in the download section of this website. The practical project is an exception as it is largely self-directed learning. It is not part of a course; the individual projects are supervised by the Global Learning-team. Therefore, there is no regular course for the practical area. Instead, please register in the Global Learning Stud.IP group under “participants” in one of the groups (“Practical project (A): Research project” / “Practical project (B): Action project”).

You can register for all courses via Stud.IP, where you can find available courses under their corresponding course titles.

All participants will be notified via e-mail of any necessary information and current changes.

The practical area aims to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the foundational and specialisation areas in a real-world context.

The core element of the practical area is a semester-long practical project related to ESD that you will carry out in small groups (2-3 students).
There are two options for the practical project: a research project or an action project. The specific design of the projects (contents, methods, creativity) is left up to the students. The only requirement is that all projects must be related to Education for Sustainable Development and relate to local/regional and international levels.

The practical area therefore includes mandatory planning, implementing, and evaluating an individual project (including supervision meetings) as well as writing a two- to three-page project outline and creating a final product that visualises your project results (total workload: 120 hours/4 ECTS).
During the planning and before the implementation of your project, each group must attend two supervision meetings with Team Global Learning. These meetings serve to share information about the project, clarify its goals, and discuss the methodological approach, among other things. The Global Learning Team will also advise and support you throughout the semester, if needed.
At the end of the semester, all project groups come together for a joint final reflection. During the reflection, the groups present their final products (project results) and reflect on the project phase.

To obtain all 8 ECTS in the practical area, you must also submit a (written) elaboration on your project. Further information on the (written) elaboration is available in the module cluster guide (see Downloads).

For this module cluster, your courses and coursework will be documented with a routing slip (see Downloads), as well as an individual digital portfolio (eLogbook):

Active participation and non-graded coursework (Studienleistung) are required for each course of the cluster.
Additionally, each student must continuously work on an individual eLogbook throughout the module cluster/semester (see Digital Portfolio, Guidelines, How to Logbook).

To receive full ECTS for the practical area, you must attend at least two supervision meetings and submit a two- to three-page project outline, a visual product as well as written elaboration on the project (see Practical Area). Both the project outline and the visual product must also be added to the eLogbook. 

Please note that your active participation,non-graded coursework, attendance of supervision meetings, and submission of the project outline must be confirmed by your respective lecturers or the Global Learning team (see Courses).

The digital portfolio (eLogbook) is an important and mandatory part of the module cluster. Serving as a creative medium for reflection and in-depth engagement with the course contents, you will work on it alongside the courses you take as part of Global Learning.
The eLogbook primarily contains reflection tasks provided by the Global Learning team. In some cases, non-graded coursework (Studienleistungen) must also be completed and included in the eLogbook. For more information on the structure, elements and requirements please refer to the guidelines (see Downloads).

eLogbooks are personal digital portfolios visible only to the respective student and the Global Learning team. This means other students cannot view the content you create. There are a wide variety of tools and options available to help you customise your eLogbook and add your own content (see How to Logbook).

When studying this module cluster, you can also obtain a certificate attesting a study focus on ESD as well as the professional (and pedagogical) suitability to work on tasks/in areas related to ESD. If you are interested in obtaining the certificate, please contact Team Global Learning  via global-learning(at)tu-braunschweig.de.

Once you have successfully completed all parts of the module cluster, you can request your individual certificate. It details all courses taken as part of the cluster as well as the project developed in the practical area.  To request your certificate, please submit the eLogbook and hand in the fully completed routing slip to the Global Learning team. For more information on the process, please refer to the guidelines (see Downloads). 
You will receive an e-mail as soon as the certificate can be collected. If you cannot collect the certificate in person, a digital version can be sent to you. Please notify Team Global Learning, if this applies to you.