Course syllabus - The Power of Play: Cultivating Resilience for Business Challenges

Objectives

The aim of the course is to introduce a Nordic-Baltic perspective on the concept of resilience, with a focus on managing societal, organizational and individual challenges. The course aims to give students the opportunity to work in a multicultural environment and build their own network of future contacts. It intends to contribute to a deeper understanding on several levels: societal level, within different types of organizations - public, non-governmental and private - and at the individual level. Through the course's structure, it is expected that ideas, principles and methods for promoting resilience and related soft skills can be applied in companies and organizations operating in different industries.

Learning outcomes

After the course the student should be, for the selected context, be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

1. Understand complex market interactions between various stakeholders and sectors.
2. Interpret the content of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their practical application.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of resilience and its relationship to sustainability.

Skills and abilities

4. Analyze existing societal and business challenges and provide recommendations for improvements.
5. Collaborate with other students to analyze and present course results, as well as conduct peer reviews of another group's work.

Evaluation and Approach

6. Evaluate and make decisions based on limited information within a given timeframe.

Course content

The course will provide insights on multiple levels: society, various types of organizations-including public, non-governmental, and business-and finally, individuals. Additionally, the ideas, principles, and practices of cultivating resilience and related soft skills can later be transferred to companies and organizations operating across various industries.

At the beginning of the course, students will prepare a country report at their home university. During the intensive interaction-week, students and teachers from eight different countries/universities will come together for project work and tutoring, workshops/seminars, presentations, guest lectures, and social activities. The teaching methods include supervised research on the selected context, reading and reflecting on scientific articles, participating in simulations and group work, and engaging in argumentation during the intensive interaction-week.

By the end of the course, students should have a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities arising from rapid changes in society and organizations. This understanding will also encompass the potential consequences of neglecting these challenges and strategies to mitigate any negative impacts on society.

Specific requirements

60 credits

Examination

Group assignment, GRU1, 3 cr, (learning outcomes 1-6). Grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F) 

Seminar, SEM1, 1 cr, (learning outcome 5). Grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F) 

Group assignment, GRU2, 3.5cr (learning outcomes 1 + 4-6). Grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F) 

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Excellent, Very good, Good, Satisfactory, Sufficient, Insufficient, complementary work possible, Insufficient