Erasmus Honours Programme
Besides the regular programmes, the EUR annually offers two exclusive programmes to talented bachelor students. The Erasmus Honours Programme enables excellent students to encounter fascinating and current themes from other fields of study in the Grand Challenges and Over Grenzen (Dutch) programme. Renowned scholars from several disciplines challenge honours students to look beyond the boundaries of their own field.
For this reason, professors and students from different academic disciplines are gathered in the Erasmus Honours Programme in two programs. For most EHP-students, the interdisciplinary approach will prove to be a challenge as, in their second year they only just begin to realize what it means to study an academic discipline, with it’s own typical ‘worldview’. In High School various ‘subjects’ are taught. When attending classes in ‘Economy’, how many realized they were introduced in the world of the homo economicus; and who has wondered during ‘Maths’, how the world can be approached as a numeric whole? At University students grow, and maybe even excel in the discipline of their choice, but as they learn and grow, they are also limited by the boundaries of their discipline.
Interactive Learning
The educational environment of the EHP differs from the usual teaching settings. Due to the multidisciplinary background of the group – students and teachers -, different, and even conflicting perspectives will be addressed and discussed. Without doubt, the learning practice of an interdisciplinary attitude will help EHP students in their further academic career and beyond.
To enhance the interdisciplinary status of the curriculum, each module kicks off with an impression of the interdisciplinary issues at stake. Points of focus and leading questions will be formulated. At the end of each module, the interdisciplinary issues will be readdressed and evaluated.
Honours Programme Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences
ESSB Honours Programme (ESSB-HP) is an extracurricular educational programme that offers students from across the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences the invaluable opportunity to deepen their engagement with highly complex and challenging contemporary social challenges, such as climate change, health and illness, and various forms of social and environmental injustices. The programme is intended for students in Sociology, Public Administration, Psychology, International Bachelor in Psychology, Management of International Social Challenges, and Pedagogical Sciences who wish to:
- Deepen their scientific and professional engagement with tricky, 21st-century challenges;
- Broaden their disciplinary horizons and learn in an interdisciplinary fashion;
- Expand their professional and research skills;
- Develop interpersonal skills in presenting, conversation, and deep listening.
As the programme takes up a significant portion of time (see below for the structure of the programme), the programme invites students who, through having a grade point average of 7,5 over their first year, have proven to be able to carry the additional study load the programme requires. Invitations to apply are sent out at the start of the academic year to 2nd year BA students. Based on a motivation letter and a CV, the programme coordinators select 25 students. In addition to the CV and motivation letters, this selection is based on a proportional representation of study programmes. It will reflect a high diversity in nationality, gender, sexuality, and ethnicity to maximise the opportunity to learn from and with each other.
Structure of the programme
Throughout the year, starting in October, the Honours programme convenes monthly (usually on the first Wednesday from 17:00 to 22:00) to explore contemporary social challenges and work on students’ professional and personal development. It does so through various forms, including guest lectures, workshops, and off-campus activities, all coupled with a catered dinner. All students in the programme will be expected to contribute to organising a workshop or lecture themselves in group work and will be expected to participate actively in the group discussions and learning activities. Participation in ESSB-HP, therefore, contributes to your academic training in multiple ways and is a great addition to your regular bachelor’s programme.
At the end of the year-long programme, students will qualify for the festive Honours Programme graduation at the end of their third year. Students will also receive a certificate testifying to their participation in the Honours Programme, signed by the programme coordinators and the Dean of ESSB.
More information can be found here.
