Die Anmeldung beginnt erst am 02.10.2026 um 08:00 Uhr. Sie endet am 12.10.2026 um 23:59 Uhr

What can you expect from this course?

This course is a deep dive into scientific methodology. Most of you have some experience with specific disciplinary methods from your bachelor's programs, thus you bring a diversity of experiences to the table. The primary goal of this course is to take your multidisciplinary backgrounds and integrate your knowledge into a critically reflective and normatively oriented canon of inter- and transdisciplinary methods and methodology for sustainability science.

How does the course work?

In this course, you will be sent on missions to design case studies for diverse problems in sustainability science with a focus on scientific methods! To be able to do so, you will receive a range of inputs on methods and methodological aspects in the first weeks and over the course of the semester. We use a Flipped Classroom approach, which means you do not get a top-down lecture where you just listen to us and do homework afterwards; instead, we provide you with method packages for preparation that you engage with individually and in groups each week at your own pace before we come together for the seminar session.

The seminar Sessions ...

We meet for the seminar session every Monday from 11:50 to 14:05 in the lecture room C40.501 in the central building. We use the room as a hub for exchange and joint learning, where we work together on specific methods, get your group work moving forward, and critically exchange ideas about the diverse aspects necessary for working with scientific methods in sustainability contexts. The session is divided into three parts:

- the first part focuses on the integration of the knowledge you engaged with in the preparation materials into your mission work
- the second part focuses on specific challenges related to the methods, mission contexts or group collaboration aspects in task forces
- the third part is designated for your group work, where we will be present and answer questions

We are aware that this course will challenge you. We are intentional about that because we believe that learning happens in a sweet spot outside of your comfort zone. You will engage in four different multi- and interdisiplinary group works during the semester. The groups will be randomly assigned, and each group constellation, in combination with the mission topic, will bring unique challenges. However…
…DO NOT WORRY! We will guide you in setting your own learning goals and provide feedback on your progress after every mission.

What do we expect from you?

Our central expectation is that you are present in class and contribute to the group work to the best of your abilities. With such diversity in the class, some of you will have a lot of experience with a particular method or forms of group work, and others may be completely new to it. Remember, the overall course goal is to be integrative, and we kindly ask you to trust the process, your collaboration partners, and your own progress!

Workload

This module earns you 5 CP for your Master’s degree. Legally, that requires 150 hours of work on your part during the semester. Our course is designed toward that workload, including all preparatory work, your mission group work, and the seminar sessions.

Assessment: Kombinierte wissenschaftliche Arbeit - combined scientific work

There will be four group works, each culminating in a mission research design as an assignment. You have the possibility for a test run in the first mission, and from the second mission onward, the assignments will be graded. The grading criteria will be discussed in the first session and will be available for orientation on Moodle. You will receive feedback on every mission that you can use to improve your work on the next mission.

Further information on teaching evaluation: https://www.leuphana.de/en/teaching/quality-management/evaluation/course-evaluation.html