Our course is based on a quote by Socrates: “ Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” We want to explore the topic of effective communication in personal, professional and intercultural settings in an integrated way. I favour a methodology that uses the inquiry-based learning model. This approach was developed by Kath Walker (‘Walker Learning’) and it encourages genuine curiosity, questioning, and internal motivation. Since a block seminar requires you to be focussed for longer periods of time, my aim is to incorporate excursions and surveys into our academic program. In practical terms it means you need to be prepared to report on events that are happening in Frankfurt at that time. You will also interview strangers and prepare an oral preparation or a video on your interactions. These tasks will be negotiated at the start of the seminar. Since this course is about the multi-faceted nature of communication, I would like to introduce the practice of starting each session with a focus student. A focus student has a personal conversation with me in front of the other students. A reflection of their learning process is part of that communicative exercise. Be ready to wonder.
- Trainer/in: Patricia Benstein