Learning outcomes

At the end of the teaching unit, students will be able to:

  • Master the fundamental scientific knowledge related to the challenges of sustainable development and transition;

  • Understand and explain the challenges associated with sustainable development and transitions;

  • Use a common and rigorous vocabulary related to the challenges of sustainable development and transition;

  • Integrate multiple and diverse knowledge systems and worldviews;

  • Understand the epistemology of one’s own field of study and be open to disciplines other than one’s own;

  • Critically reflect on their education and training, particularly by integrating the various challenges of sustainable development and transitions within their field of study;

  • Envision different future scenarios by identifying what is impossible, possible, plausible, projected, probable, and desirable;

  • Envision different future scenarios through creative and artistic approaches;

  • Work in interdisciplinary teams;

  • Design and propose actions or pathways towards the identified desirable futures.

Goals

The aim of the course is to develop students’ exploratory thinking within an interdisciplinary context, building on a shared foundation of understanding the challenges of sustainable development and the transition.

To this end, it offers students an educational programme structured around four stages:

  • Knowledge: acquiring a shared, transdisciplinary foundation (reflecting Namur’s areas of expertise) for understanding the challenges of sustainable development and transition

  • Thinking: developing critical thinking that is open (trans- and interdisciplinary), pluralistic (open to other world views) and systemic (systems theory)

  • Envision: giving oneself the time and resources to envisage sustainable and desirable futures

  • Act: cultivating the desire and capacity to take action

Content

I. Exploring the Anthropocene in Haugimont

  • Activity: Deep Time Walk

  • Activity: Horizons Trail

  • Home activity: self-directed learning using online resources that address the challenges of sustainable development and the transition through the lens of the many disciplines taught at UNamur

II. Learning to think

  • Escape Game

  • Workshop on systems thinking

  • Workshop on interdisciplinary thinking

  • Activity: learning to work in a group

III. Envisioning alternative futures

  • Workshop on narrative practices

  • Mural of new narratives

Where appropriate, the activities and/or workshops can be adapted to suit the teaching team and/or specific needs.

Teaching methods

The course takes place at the Domaine d’Haugimont over three days.

These three days are structured around a variety of activities and themed workshops, drawing, where appropriate, on resources that students are expected to have familiarised themselves with beforehand. The course’s WebCampus page is regularly updated and used as a source of additional information.

The course adopts an original pedagogical approach, inspired by transformative education focused on the development of cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural skills (the “head-heart-hands” approach).  

Assessment method

The assessment takes the form of a group project.

Where appropriate, activities may be taken into account throughout the year.


Sources, references and any support material

Please consult the course's WebCampus page. 

Language of instruction

French
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
List of cross-disciplinary teaching units Standard 1 3 No
Bachelor in Information and Communication Standard 2 3 No
Bachelor in Economics and Management Standard 2 3 No
Bachelor in Philosophy Standard 2 3 No
Bachelor in Law Standard 2 3 No
Bachelor in Computer Science Standard 2 3 No
Bachelor in Law Erasmus Belgica UHasselt 2 3 No
Bachelor in Political Sciences : General Standard 2 3 No
Bachelor in Philosophy Standard 3 5 No
Bachelor in Law Standard 3 3 No