Students are invited into an engaging, participatory, and critical exploration of how individuals, communities, and institutions navigate interwoven crises. The course unpacks the concepts and dynamics of polycrisis by examining historical analogues to the current global polycrisis, its causal mechanisms, and use of network-based visual analysis. While we address various crises — including the war in Ukraine and COVID 19 — particular attention is devoted to the environmental (poly)crisis.

Through readings, visual media, case studies, and interactive activities, we also examine diverse narratives and practices of resilience, including digital forms of resilience. We explore the role of social cohesion in shaping responses to the current polycrisis, as well as the implications of uncertainty for future outlooks.

Visual and movement based exercises complement scientific reflection. Mind maps and case studies will span individual, community, and institutional levels, including the analysis of the EU Preparedness Union Strategy. 

2 - 3 CP

Qualification objectives

·       engage in reflexive exploration to understand key concepts, contexts, perceptions, and experiences related to polycrises within individual, communal, and political dimensions

·       learn about and critically analyze the everyday coping practices of individuals and communities, as well as the resilience strategies of institutions in dealing with polycrises.

·       Apply reflective, research- and practice-oriented approaches to resilience in order to develop or evaluate interventions at the individual, community, or political level

·       Develop skills in the contextual analysis of textual and visual media, mind mapping, and case study analysis

registration required: https://plus.campus.kit.edu/signmeup/procedures/6989

Important: An equivalent to B2 level of English is expected.