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Science, Society and Self

The FSW Honours College offers you an interactive Honours track, alongside your regular bachelor’s degree programme.

Feed your curiosity: explore and experience in the FSW Honours College’s Science, Society and Self track!

Introduction

The Science, Society and Self track connects theory and practice. As part of this track, you will learn how to apply your scientific knowledge and take an interdisciplinary approach to solving urgent societal issues. You will study topics like juvenile delinquency, digitalisation, robotisation, sustainability, and/or health in more depth.

You have a great deal of freedom to create your own programme based on your interests and there are possibilities for societal and research internships. You also pay a lot of attention to your own personal and professional development. Interactive workshops encourage you to think about your own purpose in life and how to achieve it.

The premise

Our starting premise is that you yourself are the owner of your professional future. The purpose of your academic studies and knowledge acquisition extends far beyond obtaining a degree. Eventually, you will take your place in the world, and play your part in changing it. This calls for a clear image of your own passion and mission, combined with knowledge of what is necessary and possible in science and society.

Who can take part?

The Honours College FSW is an inclusive learning environment. Our Science, Society and Self track is aimed at students who are intrinsically motivated and willing to go the extra mile. These are students who want to:

  • examine the world from the perspective of different scientific disciplines;
  • explore and establish their personal motives and ideals for the future; and
  • gain knowledge and practical skills that can be applied in the future to solve real, contemporary issues in society.

The learning objectives

  • Create ownership of your own future, by formulating goals and an approach to achieve these goals;
  • Improve yourself by getting to know yourself better;
  • Be open to the viewpoints of others, on a professional and a personal level;
  • Familiarise yourself with the ways different academic disciplines approach and understand certain themes;
  • Analyse societal issues from different scientific perspectives, in order to find solutions;
  • Be capable of asking insightful and critical questions about the interaction between science and society; and
  • Learn how to study in a healthy way.
     

How it benefits you

  • Take part in interdisciplinary courses related to topics that make you curious; 
  •  Work together with and learn from a diverse and inclusive group of students from different cultural and study backgrounds in an open and safe study environment; 
  • Receive personal and group mentoring, as well as personal development coaching; 
  • Lay good foundations for making a responsible and professional contribution to society after your studies (see learning objectives); and
  • Graduate with an Honours College Certificate.

Caroline Zanders

Caroline started the master's specialisation Child & Adolescence Psychology this year.

Caroline Zanders

'In the 2nd and 3rd year of my bachelor’s, I joined the Honours College. I received an e-mail that I qualified for Honours College, but I didn’t really feel the need for it. When I accompanied my partner to an information session, I suddenly thought: this might be fun. That was because I noticed that Honours isn’t really that focused on grades, while I expected it to be very scholastic. You’re going to make your own choices at Honours, you can decide for yourself what you do. From everything I learned at the Honours College, I take something with me in my daily life. All those things really changed my mindset. For example, if I read something about juvenile delinquency or terrorism, I used to think: that’s scary. But now I think: there has to be something behind it, how would someone like that feel? If you’re motivated to broaden your world view, then Honours College is something for you. It isn’t necessarily about good study results. I can recommend it to everyone!'

Sophie 't Hart

Sophie is a third-year Psychology student, president of study association Labyrint and Honours student.

Sophie 't Hart

'I’ve always enjoyed filling up my time with many different things. Because of my year as a board member of Labyrint, I’m allowed some delay in my Honours programme. I’m doing a course about effective management. I learn a lot about how to deal with my fellow board members, but also about my own strengths and weaknesses. What I like most about Honours is that you work in small groups to find solutions for real-world problems. It’s more tangible than the broad, theoretical knowledge I’m gaining in my bachelor’s. I like it a lot to learn more about how students from other programmes view the same problem. Don’t be afraid that it’s a lot of work. Honours College might sound a little intense, but I don’t see it as extra school but rather as an investment in myself.'

 

Ruslan

Ruslan is a second-year Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology student from Kazakhstan. In addition to his main programme, he is enrolled in Honours College.

Ruslan

'The Honours programme is different for everyone, because you choose your own courses.'

'The Personal and Professional Development course is my favourite. It has had the most impact on me: the course gave me the instruments and time for reflection. It helped me structure my goals for my own academic future. And I worked on my professional fears: what will I do and become after finishing my studies? Honours showed me that I have a developed skillset that could help me get into other fields besides anthropology. I also do a course about programming, and although it’s not connected to my main studies, I really like it. It helps me keep up my habits! Don’t miss the educational opportunity of the Honours College. For me, it started as a challenge for myself. I would say: go for it and see for yourself whether Honours is something for you.'  

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