An interdisciplinary seminar on communication across cultural contexts, examining how values, norms and assumptions shape cooperation, decision-making and relationships. It develops critical use of cultural-difference models alongside listening, questioning and perspective-taking. Negotiation and mediation are explored through interests, needs, BATNA and the ethical conditions of dialogue.
A sociological and practical study of the labour market as a system shaped by organisational, economic, technological and demographic change. Participants analyse employment, competencies, job advertisements and recruitment from the perspectives of candidates, employees and organisations. The course also addresses transparent communication, equal treatment and responsibility in employment relationships.
Copywriting is approached as the deliberate design of communication for a defined purpose, audience and publication context. The course develops writing and editing skills across websites, press releases, advertisements, social media and civic campaigns. It also examines the distinction between responsible persuasion and manipulation.
A sociological exploration of collective action, from mobilisation and leadership to cooperation networks, communication and public legitimacy. Participants compare historical and contemporary movements while considering their social and political contexts. The course addresses power, representation and the intended and unintended consequences of social change.
The course guides participants through the development of a business project, from defining a problem and research questions to planning resources, schedules and outcome measures. Depending on the topic, the work may involve a business plan, market analysis, operating model or a concept for a product, service or media initiative. Projects are developed through evidence, feedback and careful justification of decisions.
The course examines how social contexts shape perception, judgement and behaviour. It covers attribution, attitudes, stereotypes, social influence and group processes such as cooperation, conflict, leadership and collective decision-making. Participants use social psychological theories to interpret relationships critically and communicate responsibly.
A course on the role of HR in organisational life, from workforce planning and recruitment to onboarding, development, motivation and performance evaluation. Participants connect people-related decisions with organisational strategy, culture and everyday communication. Transparent criteria, equal treatment, confidentiality and the balance between effectiveness and employee needs are central themes.
A sociological analysis of the relationships between media, culture, politics and social life. The course explores media institutions, information selection, framing, digital platforms and the growing role of algorithms. It develops critical media literacy through questions of reliability, representation, disinformation and public responsibility.
The course examines open science as a set of practices for conducting, publishing and sharing research. It covers open access, repositories, research data, publication choices, authors’ rights and open licences. Participants also assess bibliometric indicators and the limits of openness in relation to confidentiality, intellectual property and data protection.
A sociological study of the relationships between individuals, communities and institutions. Participants examine trust, social capital, reciprocity, self-organisation and civic participation in local and digital environments. The course considers both the potential of collective action and barriers created by inequality, limited resources, conflicting interests and exclusion.
The course treats consumption as a social and cultural process shaped by needs, emotions, status, identity and group membership. Participants examine consumer decision-making, the symbolic meaning of brands, post-purchase behaviour and relationship marketing. It also considers transparency, data, emotion and responsibility in market communication.
A critical sociological inquiry into the relationship between technological change and social values, institutions, interests and everyday practices. The course explores technology’s effects on communication, identity, work, education, politics and access to information. Participants consider whose needs are built into technological solutions and how design can respond responsibly to communities.
The course compares classical civil-society concepts with cooperation emerging in digital environments. It examines open science, free culture, open data, citizen science, citizen journalism and commons-based peer production. Participants assess when technology strengthens civic agency and knowledge-sharing, and when it reproduces exclusion or only the appearance of participation.
A sociological analysis of free software, open source, Creative Commons and changing models of intellectual property in a knowledge-based society. The course examines copyright, copyleft, open licences, hacker ethics and commons-based peer production. It frames openness as a practice that requires informed choices about authorship, rights, cooperation and responsibility.