Course Objective

In the first place, this course aims at offering the students a broader
view on their own disciplines (language, media and communication).
Deepening the understanding of the role that the central themes of the
study program plays in society, ideally leads to a greater sense of
belonging, in both academia and society. Second, this course gives
students the opportunity to analyse and to improve their study skills
(mentor meetings) and to get a good idea of the job opportunities after
completing the program (guest lectures by alumni).

Course Content

The content of the meetings of the Orientation module differ per period.
There will be meetings in both periods 1 and 2. In every period, two
meetings are devoted to the courses that the students are participating
in at that time. During those meetings, we aim to illustrate the role of
the topics of the courses in daily life. In each period there will also
be one mentor meeting, where students discuss their learning styles and
their study progress in small groups. The other three meetings may
consist of an excursion, a guest lecture by an alumnus and/or working on
a practical assignment.

Teaching Methods

Lectures, seminars, mentor meetings, guest lectures, excursions,
practical assignments. One meeting per week (2 hours) during the first
six weeks of periods 1 and 2.

Method of Assessment

No exam. Obligatory attendance during the meetings. Active participation
in assignments. Grades will be given in words, not digits: pass or fail.

Target Audience

1st year students of the BA program Communication and Information
Studies

Additional Information

Obligatory attendance in this course means that you are allowed to miss
only one meeting per period. If the student is absent more often, he or
she will have to do an extra assignment.