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Key competences
From a pedagogical perspective, competence denotes the "dispositions for stable, regular human actions in certain types of situations" (German edition by Euler & Hahn, 2004, p. 214). The key characteristics associated with competence are relationship to the subject, a holistic approach and the potential to organise actions on one’s own. We divide key competences into three categories - professional competence, social competence and self competence, which manifest themselves in the practical aspects of knowledge, attitude and skills. In the Optional Studies Module, professional competence is broken down into interdisciplinary skills, such as foreign languages. Social competence denotes the interaction with other people in different communication situations, and self competence relates to how we deal with our own personal facets.
Professional competence
The area of professional competence deals with basic knowledge from other faculties (for example the areas of philosophy, ethics, sociology and the history of art), practical experience to prepare for the range of vocational fields as well as the promoting of foreign language skills. Here the focus is on the development of linguistic-communicative competences in various areas of both the oral and written usage of language. Therefore communicative, practical linguistic usage is supported. Further implied learning objectives include cultural and intercultural competences as well as competence in learning methods.
More information on foreign languages
Social competence
The area of social competence deals with topics such as sensitivity, empathy, team ability, team/project management, intercultural sensibility, persuasive power and assertiveness.
Self competence
The field of self competence primarily deals with competences that focus on one's own person. One the one hand these include self-confidence, one’s own personal attitude of mind, elements of knowledge, and experiences, while on the other hand focusing on individual work techniques, which make a large contribution towards individual effectiveness and efficiency.
Body awareness
Holistic learning is at the heart of the body awareness course. This course offers all students the possibility to come into contact with their own body while studying, in order to enhance their quality of perception, body posture and movement. Events documented with credit points (CP) can be credited in the key competences module. Prof. Nadia Kevan is the person responsible for the design of the course.
