Power, Positionality & Self-Reflexivity in International Experiential Learning (2025/2026: Semester 2 – Spring)

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Cursusdoel

After completing the course students are able to
  1. Demonstrate a preliminary understanding of some key theories and concepts associated with power and positionality in international experiential learning and community-based research
  2. Demonstrate the capacity to apply a global perspective, including perceptual skills associated with perspective consciousness and open-mindedness.
  3. Demonstrate awareness of power dynamics in community engagement and the capacity to integrate elements of social justice in research and professional practice

Relationship between assessment and learning goals
Description of assignment Assesses which learning goals?
  1. Reflection Journal
  2. Group Assignments
  3. Participation
 1, 2, 3
1, 3
1, 2, 3

Vakinhoudelijk

The course aims to offer a more substantial preparation platform for UCU students who participate in UCU’s various international experiential and community-engaged learning programs, including the UCU East Africa Program, the Aruba Program, China Studies, SRHR in the Global South, the Humanities Lab and all other relevant programs and engagements. The course aims to foster the interpersonal and self-reflexive competencies required to effectively engage in international experiential learning and community-based research, with a special focus on decoloniality and self-reflexive practice. Although a research methods course, the focus is not on research tools and data collection but, rather, the positionality, critical consciousness and self-reflexivity of researchers.

From a critically-reflexive angle, the course will introduce students to a robust empirical and theoretical understanding of the various cultural, socioeconomic, and political dynamics of social justice within the broader umbrella of international experiential and community engaged learning/research. This will be done through a practical, interpersonal, and self-reflexive approach. The course more specifically deals with practical questions around concepts of diversity, inclusivity and perspectivism; positionality, postcolonialism and power relations; decolonizing development and international practice; cultural intelligence, mindfulness and use of self; critical self-reflexivity, contemplative learning & practice; and international allyship.


Format
The course will comprise a combination of weekly small group exchange, learning and group activities, as well as a weekly large symposium. The former will facilitate personal reflection and peer-based learning/exchange associated with student’s personal reflections and growth. In the weekly small group meetings, students will discuss the various topics that arise in the large symposia, while completing weekly activities corresponding to each week’s topic.

The weekly large symposium will be led by the course instructors and comprise lectures and presentations associated with the key theories, concepts and topics associated with course. When possible, guest speakers (academics, activists and professionals) will share presentations associated with their decolonization work. The course may also include some field trips, including a visit to the Black Archives in Amsterdam. Using Netherlands’ own history and current challenges as a case study, the New Urban Collective/Black Archives group will assist us in critically reflecting on history and social change. Given the nature of this course, students should be aware that many of the large symposia, field trips and guest lectures will be held on Tuesday afternoons (13:00-14:45).

Schedule
This course is taught during the last five weeks of the semester, starting immediately after UCACCMET25 (and in that timeslot). Students from UCACCMET23, and any others, can also choose this follow-up module if their schedule allows. Some sessions will be moved to the Tuesday afternoon (see format above),

Registration
During the preceding UCACCMET25 course, students will be asked for their preferences in follow-up module and registered in the week before it starts. These students have priority placement.
For any other students that want to register, students selected for the UCU in Africa programme have the next priority placement in this module. These students register either through their UCACCMET23 or UCINTDEV21 teacher.
Any student who still needs/wants a module without being registered for UCACCMET23/25 at that moment, can sign up through ucu.curriculum@uu.nl (cc tutor) at least one week before the start of the module. These other students will be lotteried into any remaining places, so also need to list a backup module.

Werkvormen

UCU module

Toetsing

Participation

Verplicht | Weging 20% | ECTS 0,5

Reflection Journal

Verplicht | Weging 40% | ECTS 1

Group Assignments

Verplicht | Weging 40% | ECTS 1

Ingangseisen en voorkennis

Ingangseisen

Er is geen informatie over verplichte ingangseisen bekend.

Voorkennis

Er is geen informatie over benodigde voorkennis bekend.

Voertalen

  • Engels

Competenties

  • Internationale en interculturele oriëntatie
  • Interdisciplinariteit
  • Luisteren
  • Community based learning / community based research
  • Presenteren
  • Samenwerken

Cursusmomenten

Gerelateerde studies

Tentamens

Er is geen tentamenrooster beschikbaar voor deze cursus

Verplicht materiaal

  • DIVERSE
    Students will be expected to cover field trip costs, which will not exceed basic transport and entry into the Black Archives (approx. 10 euro/student)
  • READER
    readings will be provided in a course reader

Aanbevolen materiaal

Er is geen informatie over de aanbevolen literatuur bekend

Opmerkingen

This module follows after UCACCMET25. Counts towards HUM or SSC methodology.

Coördinator

C. Muzyamba c.muzyamba@uu.nl

Docenten

C. Muzyamba c.muzyamba@uu.nl

Inschrijving

Let op: deze cursus is niet toegankelijk voor studenten van andere faculteiten, bijvakkers mogen zich dus niet inschrijven.

Inschrijving niet via OSIRIS
Permanente link naar de cursuspagina
Laat in de Cursus-Catalogus zien