Faith and Doubt
In the summer semester of 2023, students from a wide range of faculties and age groups came together in the module “Faith and Doubt in the Conflict between Religion, Science, and Culture” to explore the question of whether “God is now dead.”
Since 2022, for the first time, a majority of the population in Germany no longer belongs to a church. For many—especially in academic circles—faith no longer seems relevant. Reason, rationality, and science are considered the guiding principles of enlightened modernity. This should not remain undiscussed. After all, are science and faith necessarily mutually exclusive? Do people believe less because they no longer go to church?
In this course, the participants, together with the humorous trio of Prof. i.R. Dr. Max Kerner, Prof. Dr. Simone Paganini, and Dr. Felix Kampel, examined the intersections between religion, culture, and science and questioned the role of faith in the present and future. What can one actually believe in, and what role do other religions and forms of spirituality play today? To explore these questions, we visited places of worship of different religions. For example, we spoke with Dr. Idris Malik at the Bilal Mosque in Aachen about the values and world of Islam. We visited a meditation garden in the Frankenberg district, where we gained insights into Buddhist meditation and self-awareness. And we learned during
And during a guided tour of the Jewish cemetery in Aachen, we learned more about the individual stories of Aachen's Jewish community. Students exchanged ideas with Prof. Dr. Achim Stahl on his lecture “Religion and Science: Physics and the Universe” and, in the following week, delved into the exciting world of philosophy with Prof. Dr. Rudolf Lüthe. “Nietzsche and Religion” heated up the minds of those present in a cheerful way! After all, serious and fun is the best way to learn.
Sustainability and Transformation
Discover the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in our workshops on sustainability and transformation!
In collaboration with KatHo and FH Aachen, the “Sustainability and Transformation” course series has been held every summer semester since 2021. Working in diverse groups, students develop proposed solutions to current challenges that take into account the Sustainable Development Goals and incorporate all three pillars of sustainability. In past workshops, teams have developed impressive solutions, from sustainable business models to initiatives that support local communities. The workshop concludes with a video presentation in which the teams pitch their concepts.
Would you like to give free rein to your creativity and develop an innovative project outside of your regular assignments and exams? Then this seminar is just right for you!
Sciencecommunikation
Have you ever wondered how to explain complex scientific topics in such a way that even your friends and family listen with interest? That was exactly the focus of our latest workshop, “Science Communication – A Hands-On Workshop.” The challenge was to transform difficult scientific concepts into digestible, interesting content – or, as we call it, “snackable content.”
Working in teams, students created explanatory videos on topics of their choice as an introduction to lessons for high school students. They were supported by René Lesnik and the creative team at Medialab, who provided valuable assistance and technical expertise.>
The workshop also offered inspiring insights into various forms of science communication: Thorsten Karbach spoke about the role of universities as communicators, David Spencer shared his experiences with science slams, and Sommers Weltliteratur showed how literature can be conveyed in a playful way.
An unforgettable highlight was Michael Sommer's workshop, in which he showed how to creatively take apart Playmobil figures—an entertaining and vivid method of sparking interest in science.
The students' projects were not only impressive, but also proof that science communication does not have to be boring. If you also want to expand your communication skills, keep an eye out for our next workshops!
Zur Revitalization of Morschenich-Alt: Insights into the space requirements of a village undergoing transformation
As part of the Temporary University Hambach 2024, part of the ”Leonardo" project run by RWTH Aachen University and the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Planning and Spatial Development (BBSR), students had the opportunity to take part in an exciting and practical workshop. Entitled “The revitalization of Morschenich-Alt: How stakeholders negotiate their interests in land claims in a village undergoing transformation,” the workshop offered a comprehensive insight into the challenges and opportunities facing a village in transition.
The revitalization of Morschenich-Alt, a village that has been significantly altered by the Hambach open-cast mine, was the focus of this innovative workshop. Here, students, former and current residents, politicians and administrators, interest groups, and civil society initiatives came together to develop new perspectives and ideas. The aim was to find creative solutions for the future of the village and discuss sustainable approaches to land use. A key aspect of this workshop was the constructive dialogue between the various interest groups. Participants gathered in the riding hall of Morschenich-Alt to present their points of view and engage in lively debate. Emphasis was placed on respectful interaction in order to work out viable compromises together. The students from RWTH Aachen University had the opportunity to put their creativity and commitment into practice in this workshop. Through close cooperation with residents and other stakeholders, they gained valuable insights into the real challenges of regional development and were able to contribute their ideas and concepts at the same time. The BBSR's Cottbus Regional Development Competence Center developed the workshop, contributed its expertise, and promoted the exchange between science and practice.
