We need new strategies to meet today’s challenges. The BA in Transformation and Sustainability programme empowers the next generation of actors to advance the sustainable development of our society and environment. Our graduates have a sustainability mindset around environmental, social and economic issues and use resources carefully. They understand themselves as a community of designers who have future literacy, systems literacy, environmental literacy, transformative literacy and political literacy alike. To enhance these skills, they also build knowledge in the fields of materials, social sciences, law, healthcare, business and psychology. They are perfectly placed to initiate, support and reflect on the major transformations of our time.
A new transformation idea is the spark that kicks off the programme. Informed by their specific background and experience, students develop and refine them as part of their studies. Pursuing their vision, they build their own unique skills profile in the discipline of Design through these five core skills:
- Future literacy: A forward-thinking mindset for sustainable solutions
- Systems literacy: Understanding complex systems and their interdependencies
- Environmental literacy: In-depth knowledge of environmental and sustainability issues
- Transformative literacy: Ability to effect lasting change
- Political literacy: Recognising and influencing political systems and processes
The course enhances these skills through instruction in areas ranging from business to law, politics, healthcare, materials, and social sciences, creating a perfect blend of expertise for them to further develop their transformation idea and to start a career as a transformation expert.
The BA curriculum is based on leading-edge system of knowledge production: Students develop local and globalised knowledge, reflect on ethical and aesthetic principles, are committed to inclusivity and diversity, engage in collaboration, drive transformation, and act responsibly. Working with companies and partners from industry, politics and society is a key part of the curriculum, enabling participants to gain valuable practical experience while studying.
Students specialise in the art and design methods that best suit their specific career path, supervised by lecturers who share their extensive practical knowledge and through multidisciplinary collaboration with university, business and research partners.
What is more, they are familiar with the discourses around ecological, economic and social sustainability and apply them in practice; their thinking is based on the principles of circularity and regeneration. They practice storytelling, present their assignments, and participate in projects with external partners.
Students have the freedom to develop a bespoke skills profile based on their previous training.
Studienuebergreifende-ModuleThe specialisation modules teach a set of cross-sectional skills: future literacy, systems literacy, environmental literacy, transformative literacy, and political literacy are all directly applied in student projects. Students also develop specialist knowledge in business, law, politics, healthcare, materials, social sciences, and design.
+Colabor, +Reflect and +Focus: The +Modules are available for students enrolled in various degree programmes. They deliver interdisciplinary content, theory, and specialised modules about the challenges facing society, culture, technology and business today..
In addition, open specialist modules provide an opportunity to attend a module from a different study programme once a year. This allows students to step out of their bubble and take new perspectives.
Finally, in the bachelor's thesis, students work on a topic of their own devising, applying the skills developed in the programme in an independent project.
Graduates of this programme help to create sustainable solution approaches through technical, business, organisational or communication measures—to name just a few. They engage in bridge and network building and act as mediators between disciplines. They design projects and processes that contribute to strengthening social cohesion.
