Crossing Borders: overview of the modules

The course catalogue can be found at http://ects.kdg.be/.

Crossing borders ID
(
6 ECTS
)

At the heart of the programme you will find the course Crossing borders ID. During an intensive introduction week students will get to know each other, Antwerp, the programme and its central themes and the teachers. 

The central aim of this course is to develop transcultural and interdisciplinary competences by using several models. Students will actively participate in several intervision sessions and thus be able to reflect upon their experiences. These sessions will be accompanied by the three coaches who are in charge of this course.

Migration & superdiversity
(
4 ECTS
)

‘Migration & superdiversity’ provides students with a theoretical and empirical body of knowledge about the transformation of European societies towards superdiversity.

Starting from the book ‘Superdiversity in the heart of Europe’ (Geldof, 2016) you learn to recognize the urban context & the transition towards majority/minority cities through the lense of superdiversity.

Furthermore, through field visits & cases, students acquire practical knowledge to deal with diverse groups. Students are able to produce a critical analysis of success factors of practices, starting from the theoretical frameworks. As a result, you learn to work in a more divers-sensitive way as social professionals (teachers, health care professionals, social workers).

Poverty
(
4 ECTS
)

Students develop a “poverty-aware” approach from an interdisciplinary knowledge and an understanding of people living in poverty.

They learn to work in alliance with people in poverty (partnership – empowerment – holistic) and learn how to combat preconceived notions of people in poverty as “others”.

Together, we assess critically the welfare services organizational context.

We learn by theoretical lessons, visiting the working field and assignments.

Gender & sexuality
(
4 ECTS
)

This course provides the student with knowledge about history of sexuality in the western world. What is sexuality? What is your own sexuality? What language do you use for talking about sexuality? Students are given an introduction to anatomy and developmental psychology; models and role of theory – such as gender. Further, students reflect on their own beliefs and attitudes about sexual themes and sexuality and reflect on key elements in the ethics of relationships, sexuality and family as well. Students prepare and give a workshop on a topic of sexuality. They discover Antwerp, across various organizations with respect to sexuality.

Ethics & human rights
(
4 ECTS
)

‘Human Rights and Ethics’ enables students to recognize ethical and human rights issues in a concrete situation and enter into a dialogue about these issues. Students understand the meaning of today’s main international and European human rights treaties. Students learn to understand how human rights work in practice, for example the difference between absolute and relative human rights, and the way how citizens can complain when they think their human rights were violated. Students will learn how to look from a human rights and ethical perspective to a variety of challenges that our superdiverse society is faced with today.

Urban health challenges
(
4 ECTS
)

By 2030, two thirds of the world’s population will live in a city. Climate change in combination with demographic processes such as population ageing entails challenges for the urban liveability. We approach the interaction between people and the urban environment from different perspectives. Smart technologies and innovative ideas create opportunities to build the cities of the future. Using an interdisciplinary framework, this course focuses on sustainable housing, access to health care, sustainable and safe mobility and climate adaptation.

Urban challenges in education
(
4 ECTS
)

In this course we give future teachers, healthcare professionals and social workers some insights in the challenges of teaching in an urban environment and provide them with useful tools for dealing with these complex circumstances. We focus on various aspects that have an impact on teaching in an urban context such as the great ethnic-cultural and social diversity, multilingualism, a variety in philosophical beliefs, attitudes concerning gender and sexuality etc. Moreover, students will get the opportunity to learn through practical experience, a.o. by visiting educational institutions, shadowing educational professionals, working on ‘real-life’ cases, and looking for solutions in dialogue with educational organisations.

Language room (English)

An extracurricular language service English is offered to all Crossing Borders students who are interested in improving their English. Students are provided with digital content, exercises and workshops about reading, listening, writing and speaking in English. Beside classical instructions students can ask for individual assistance.