LiberalLiberal ArtsArts andand SciencesSciences BachelorBachelor (B.A./B.Sc.)(B.A./B.Sc.) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg We are not students of some subject matter, but students of problems. And problems may cut right across the borders of any subject matter or discipline.“ Karl Popper 3 2.Welcome! The Liberal Arts and Sciences Program The Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) Bachelor program at the University of Freiburg is an exciting, groundbreaking venture. With our own perspective on a long tradition of Liberal Education in the United States and on recent successful models in the Netherlands, LAS in Freiburg offers academic breadth, depth, and interdisciplinary refl ection on science and knowledge. The University of Freiburg is especially suited to host an LAS program: It is one of Germany’s leading research and higher educa- tion institutions and has a longstanding tradition in interdisciplinary research and teaching. Freiburg is also one of Germany’s most beautiful and enjoyable cities, situ- ated at the heart of Europe. LAS at University College Freiburg (UCF) is an approach to education, not just a program name. We understand LAS education as an exciting process of intellectual discovery and personal development within an interdisciplinary and international learning community. The LAS program provides a structured opportunity for students to learn broadly about the human and the non-human world, to systematically develop their capacity for high-level academic work in exchange with others, and to gradually unfold their own unique interests and abilities in ways suited to their aspirations. The LAS students who started their studies in October 2012 graduated in summer 2016. They are the foundation of the program’s pioneer spirit, and the exciting aca- demic explorations we have undertaken. It is also thanks to them and the following student cohorts that LAS has become a great success. Currently, 300 students from more than 40 countries are enrolled in the LAS program at UCF. About two thirds of each class spend at least one semester abroad. Together with its students, UCF has established an international and active learning community that goes beyond the classroom. The following pages introduce you to the LAS program, its guiding ideas, and organ- izing principles. We hope to be able to raise and keep your interest and answer the questions you have about LAS at University College Freiburg. Dr. Ursula Glunk Prof. Dr. Sitta von Reden Academic Director Dean of Studies 1. Liberal Arts and Sciences in Brief .......................................................................... 1 2. The Liberal Arts and Sciences Program ............................................................... 3 2.1. Foundational Year ............................................................................................... 3 2.2. Core Program ..................................................................................................... 4 2.3. Electives .............................................................................................................. 5 2.4. Majors ................................................................................................................. 6 Earth and Environmental Sciences ..................................................................... 6 Life Sciences ........................................................................................................ 8 Governance ........................................................................................................ 10 Culture and History ............................................................................................ 12 3. Questions and Answers ....................................................................................... 14 1 2.1. TheLiberal Liberal Arts Arts and Sciencesand Sciences in Brief Program Liberal Arts and Sciences is a specifi c come skilled communicators and crea- approach to Bachelor level education. It tive shapers of their environment. Focus- reaches across academic fi elds while ing on the education of the whole person, also offering discipline-oriented aca- it creates opportunities for personal de- demic training in one particular Major. It velopment into motivated and responsible encourages students to critically refl ect human beings. on science and knowledge and to be- The program consists of three study areas: 2 Program Features ■ Degree: B.A. or B.Sc. Bachelor of The Core (66 ECTS credits) is shared by Arts or Bachelor of Sciences (de- all LAS students. It encompasses basic pending on choice of Major) and advanced academic skills, reflec- ■ The language of instruction is Eng- tions on knowledge and science, as well lish. As part of the LAS program, as a curriculum on Responsibility and non-German speaking students Leadership. must learn German up to the level of A2 (according to the Common Euro- The Majors (102 ECTS credits) provide pean Framework of Reference – an in-depth education in a specific aca- CEFR). demic field that is, in itself, interdiscipli- ■ Duration: LAS is a four-year pro- nary. After their first year of studies, stu- gram that includes breadth and dents choose one of the following depth. It has a progressive storyline Majors: covering academic competencies, 1. Earth and Environmental Sciences skills training, academic specializa- 2. Life Sciences tion, and room for intellectual explo- 3. Governance ration. 4. Culture and History ■ Bologna-compliant; total course- work amounts to 240 ECTS credits, In the Electives (72 ECTS credits), stu- i.e. 30 credits per semester. Most dents can choose from a variety of LAS courses carry a six ECTS cred- courses and projects to further shape it workload. One ECTS credit corre- their educational profile. sponds to a workload of about 30 hours. ■ Fees*: There is a registration fee of * The State of Baden-Württemberg has about €150 per semester for all stu- implemented tuition fees for non-EU stu- dents. UCF does not provide dents (€1,500 / semster) and for all stu- housing or scholarships. Living and dents seeking a 2nd Bachelor degree accommodation costs amount to (€650 / semester). For more information, ca. €750 per month. please see the University of Freiburg ■ LAS is a selective program with an Student Service Center. annual intake of 80 students. Start- ing LAS is only possible in the winter semester. The application period is June 1 – July 15. 3 2.2. TheThe LiberalLiberal ArtsArts andand SciencesSciences ProgramProgram 2.1. Foundational Year During the fi rst year – the so-called as on techniques of writing and presen- Foundational Year – of the Liberal Arts ting. This framework makes up most of and Sciences program, students follow the fi rst year’s classwork and ensures the same curriculum and establish a that students’ start into academic life with shared basis of knowledge and skills. LAS is both stimulating and structured. From year two onwards, students have a Furthermore fi rst-year students follow signifi cant amount of freedom in design- the introduction to three different Majors. ing their own study program. Depending on their choices with regard The Foundational Year consists mostly to the Major, Electives, and Study Abroad of Core courses, that focus mainly on Opportunities, individual study programs methods of research and analysis as well will develop quite differently. 4 2.2. Core Program The Core is a distinctive feature of the theories, the progress of science, and Freiburg LAS program and offers a the reality of scientific objects. The STS foundation for knowledge and reflection Chair offers courses that focus and com- in academic work and beyond. The Core ment on science, technology, and aca- Program consists of three parts: demia in history and present and their interdependence with society, as well as 1. Academic Key Skills: In the first year, on mundane knowledge practices. students develop and sharpen their academic key skills (scientific methods, 3. Responsibility and Leadership ex- exchange formats, researching and tends over the entire LAS program and is working with academic literature and designed to inspire and equip students to sources, academic presentation). This effectively engage with the challenges part of the Core Program ascertains that they are going to face before and after all LAS students, irrespective of their graduation. It prompts students to consi- cultural background or intellectual inter- der their own position in the world, to ests, share a common base of resources think about their responsibility and per- for mastering academic challenges. sonal vision in life, and to acquire the skills they need in order to reach their 2. Reflections on Science and goals. Two sequential modules focus on Knowledge: The LAS program places a the four main themes: social (in)equality, strong emphasis on reflections on scien- personalities and group processes, ap- tific knowledge and methods. This is re- plied ethics, and characteristics of lead- presented by two Chairs at UCF: Episte- ership. Courses combine rigorous aca- mology and Theory of Science (ETS) demic input with personal reflection and and Science and Technology Studies training in more experiential formats. (STS). The four modules in this part of the Core form the inter- and metadisciplinary backbone of the LAS program, providing a coherent conceptual and methodologi- cal framework for the different areas of specialization in the Majors. Key topics in the courses offered by the ETS Chair are logic, the human epistemic condition,