Curriculum overview
Collective Futures offers a challenging, yet balanced program. Most of the program is dedicated to working on a complex, multifaceted and transdisciplinary project. Project work and self-study are alternated with a variety of activities that aid you, the Collective Futures student, in dealing with a complex project, maximizing your learning outcomes, and preparing you for an impactful career.
One of the unique aspects of Collective Futures is that part of the activities is organized directly by you and your fellow students, tailoring the program to your needs and learning objectives.
All activities are described below. The program is every workday from 9:00-17:00 and an office space is available full-time for you and your team for project work, self-study, workshops, presentations, peer-learning and other activities.
Project and self-study
You’ll work in groups of 2-4 students on a project together with an external organization. During the first month, each group will analyze the challenge, design a methodology and develop a vision for their project. Your task will be to create a project plan with an effective and realistic approach.
During the project, your team will utilize their skills to find academic and non-academic sources that can help you in your challenge. You will learn project and information management techniques to be able to keep a clear overview in a complex, broad and oftentimes incomplete web of sources. Expect to actively collaborate with project partners, stakeholders, experts, researchers, and their peers and supervisors.
Using methods from science, systems thinking, social innovation and consulting, you and your fellow students create clarity in their challenge and work towards a high-quality end-result. You will be encouraged to use your imagination and come up with innovative and creative ways to address your challenge, not solely delivering an advice report for your project partner, but providing a real, widely-supported course of action for impactful change within the partner organization and beyond.
Workshops
An intensive training program helps you to realize high-quality standards within your project and meet the learning objectives of the program. Workshops are facilitated by professional trainers form within and outside of the University of Amsterdam.
Examples of training topics:
Transition Design
Project management (planning, budget management etc.)
Collaboration (team work, external collaboration, communication)
(Self-)reflection
Project methods (consultancy, natural/social science, systems thinking)
Presentation (pitching, public speaking, storytelling, visual thinking)
Theatre (improving communication & presenting)
Examples of guest trainers and organizations:
DRIFT for Transitions
Metabolic
Effective Altruism Netherlands
P5COM
Inspirited Politics
Lena Hartog
Suzan Havermans
Anne Stoop (Turn Club)
Peer-learning
There are several ways in which peer-learning is stimulated. Firstly, you'll work closely with your team on your project, sharing knowledge, skills, and visions with each other. Secondly, you'll give your peers lectures on topics close to your heart that could instigate dialogue, whether it's about scientific theory, societal trends, or personal learnings. Finally, your team will actively contribute to other projects and learning outcomes by providing feedback to each other during weekly project presentations.
Lectures and excursions
During the program, a selection of guest lecturers ranging from young professionals, to senior policy makers, scientists, entrepreneurs, business and NGO leaders, will share their insights related to their career path, the decisions they made and the ways in which they utilize their science background in their working environment.
Several excursions to interesting locations or organizations might be part of the minor as well.
Coaching & reflection
You will engage in two types of coaching:
In peer sessions, you can share what you are struggling with in your projects or team. You and your peers will assist each other in identifying underlying behavioral patterns and values, as well as formulating appropriate actions.
In individual sessions, a Collective Futures coach guides you in learning more about yourself, formulating learning objectives for the program, and finding your own path, within the minor and beyond.
Additionally, you will keep track of a self-reflection report using a set of exercises to stimulate structured and active learning.
Sports
In cooperation with the University Sports Centre (USC) a sport program is specially developed for you. Every week the schedule contains two hours in which you will participate in a range of sports sessions focused on team building and personal development. The sports program:
1. Offers a special setting for further skills training;
2. Provides an intense setting for teambuilding;
3. Creates a balanced working week which optimizes performance and health.
Program and community building
You have the opportunity to fine-tune part of the program to your specific background and needs. You'll receive a budget to organize lectures, trainings, research, or other supporting activities.
You're also involved in organizing and facilitating events to engage students, teachers, and collaborators in building a better future. During these events, the Collective Futures program is outlined in more detail, and you present your topics and outcomes, and share best practices.
By engaging in program and community-building activities, you acquire a professional attitude and invaluable organization skills, preparing you for morally ambitious working environments.
