Supplementary Studies on Culture and Society (Begleitstudium Angewandte Kulturwissenschaft)

In 1991, the Supplementary Studies on Culture and Society were established at the University of Karlsruhe (TH), now the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), as an additional (or minor) subject. With a well-balanced mix of imparting theoretic and scientific knowledge and mediating a general idea of the work of cultural institutions and of fields of application, the Supplementary complement the respective regular course of studies. 
Offering ‘Supplementary Studies on Culture and Society’ as an additional qualification is a unique concept in Germany. Internationally, the ‘Begleitstudium’ can be compared to the Anglo-American studies of Liberal Arts. From an interdisciplinary perspective, it aims to provide students with well-founded insights into various topics at the crossroads of technology, society, and culture. Five thematic blocks deal with conditions, methods, and concepts of the analysis and design of essential social development assignments. 
In order to take part in the Supplementary Studies on Culture and Society, students are required to register in written form at the ZAK office. Registration is possible at any time. The programme encompasses the attendance of the lecture series “Introduction into Applied Studies on Culture and Society”, the participation in five courses out of the different thematic blocks, a two-week practical training, and an oral exam. After successful completion, students obtain a graded certificate and a KIT report. 
The course offerings are based on the five thematic blocks of the ZAK Begleitstudium.

Target Group

The Supplementary Studies on Culture and Society address to students of all departments. All courses are open to KIT students of all faculties, students of the University of Arts and Design (HfG), the University of Music (HfM), the University of Education (PH), as well as to graduate school students and doctoral students. Guest students can participate in the courses if there are free places available. Due to this unique mixture of participant backgrounds, the curriculum offers an intercultural and transdisciplinary learning experience. 

Academic Requirements

The curriculum comprises 22 credit points and consists of three modules: basic module, In-depth module, and practice.

1. Basic Module (3 credit points): Interdisciplinary lecture series (offered only in winter semesters) 
   Students are required to write minutes for two lectures and hand them in at the end of the semester. The lecture series should either be taken prior or parallel to the required in-depth module. The basic module will not be graded.
    
2. In-depth Module (6 credit points): Three courses out of three different areas. 
   The courses must be graded. In each course, students must give a presentation. In one course, the presentation has to be followed by an exposition. Each presentation will earn 3 credit points, the exposition an extra 2 credit points. To complete the module, it is necessary to pass an oral exam which is based on the topics of two of the courses and on the topics of the basic module. The oral exam lasts 45 minutes (4 credit points).
    
3. Practice (4 credit points): A two-week practical training in a cultural institution, in the media sphere, or in social facilities. After completing, the experiences and results are recorded in a report.  
    

The broad variety of courses offered by the ZAK enables students to obtain the certificate for “Supplementary Studies on on Culture and Society” within three semesters. There is no time limit for completing the curriculum, but participants must be enrolled as KIT students (BA, MA, or PhD).

Certificate

After successfully completing the curriculum, students will receive a KIT certificate, signed by the KIT president and the director of the ZAK.
 

Enrolment

The application form for the Supplementary Studies on Culture and Society can be downloaded here (in German). Please either submit it by email to christine.karl∂kit.edu or hand it in at the ZAK office, Rüppurrer Str. 1a, Haus B, 5. OG.