Design Thinking Specialization Module Summer Term 2023

About the Design Thinking Specialization Module


Shortcut to the Application: https://www.erc.is/go/smdt2023reg


This page as PDF: https://uni-muenster.sciebo.de/s/ulo9XOnpJqbHk4i


The 2022 group in MünsterTogether with the University of West Georgia and the Georgia College and State University, Dr. Katrin Bergener and Dr. Armin Stein will offer a Specialization Module on Design Thinking. Goals of this Specialization Module are


  • getting familiar with the Design Thinking approach,

  • getting into virtual collaboration with students abroad using Virtual Reality (in Münster, i.e. before the trip to the US),

  • improving and training the individual English proficiency,

  • working on a real-life Design Thinking case with students from the US on-site,

  • immersing into the US student's life, and

  • representing the University of Münster abroad.

General structure of the Specialization Module


The Specialization Module consists of the following elements:


  • Beginning of March 2023: Seminar thesis and presentation about a successful Design Thinking Initiative

  • Beginning of April: Virtual collaboration via Meta Quest VR goggles with US students, consisting of
    • Introduction to each other

    • Case study

  • Also beginning of April: Adding content to the Design Thinking Blog (https://www.dt-seminar.net)

  • May/June: Half-day joint SAP Design Thinking Introduction

  • End of June / Beginning of July: Travel to Atlanta and on-site work on a real Design Think Case with US students

  • Afterwards: Writing-up of a final report about the case

Until now, the Specialization Module took place in Münster - have a look here for the previous iterations. 2023, things will be different:


Requirements and peculiarities of the 2023 Design Thinking Specialization Module


This Specialization Module will include travelling to Georgia (USA) from June 23rd to July 2nd. Funding for flight and accommodation for eight students by the European Commission has been approved up to 1.520€ per person.


Due to the special character of this Specialization Module, some specific procedures apply:


  • Only students who already finished their first year of study by January 15th, 2023, are eligible for applying to the Specialization Module. Those who have pending exams of the first year are not eligible to apply.

  • When applying, students have to agree to be travelling to the US at least from June 23rd to July 2nd. During this time, students obviously cannot attend to lectures at WWU.

  • This Specialization Module is under no circumstances compatible with exchange semesters.

  • English proficiency has to be demonstrated by, e.g.,
    • proof of English honors course during A levels studies,

    • UNIcert® Level II,

    • TOEFL test,

    • or a proof of having lived for more than six months in an English-speaking country.

  • A passport is required that is at least valid until end of July 2023.

  • A current Transcript of Records is required (please get information about applying for one here: https://www.wiwi.uni-muenster.de/fakultaet/en/international/incoming/studying/transcript-records-tor)

Applications of students who do not agree to the above-mentioned points, who do not comply to the above-mentioned rules, or who are formally not eligible, will not be considered.


Application


Funding


European UnionStudents who will be accepted for the Specialization Module will be awarded with a scholarship of up to 1.520€. As costs for accommodation in the US will be paid centrally by the Department, this share will be directly deducted from the full scholarship. Students applying for the Specialization Module agree to this arrangement.


Students with lesser chances, i.e., students with


  • a disability or a chronic disease,

  • a child or children,

  • without parents/relatives from academia (Students from a non-academic background: students whose parents or caregivers have not finished a higher education degree are considered as first-time academics. A degree from a university-like vocational academy is considered an academic degree; see FAQ below.)

will receive an additional top-up of 150€ upon acceptance to the Specialization Module.


Planned itinerary


The current planning is as follows (day of departure might be +/- 1):


  • June 23rd (Friday) - flight Germany - Atlanta

  • Atlanta:
    • June 24th (Saturday) - day off

    • June 25th (Sunday) - meeting the US students, getting to know eachother 

    • June 26th (Monday)
      • Morning: Case reveal, work on case

      • Evening: Visit to Baseball game

      • Afterwards: Travel to Carrollton (UoWG)

  • Carrollton (UoWG)
    • June 27th (Tuesday): Work on case

    • June 28th (Wednesday):
      • Morning: Work on case

      • Afternoon: Travel to Milledgeville (Georgia College & State University)

  • Milledgeville (GCSU)
    • June 29th (Thursday): Work on case

    • June 30th (Friday): Work on case, final presentation

    • July 1st (Saturday): Free day with US students

    • July 2nd (Sunday): Travel to Atlanta, flight back to Germany

FAQ


  • Which costs are covered?

    • You will receive ~1.520€. This money is a lump sum and a scholarship that should cover the flight and accommodation. If you choose a more expansive flight, this money might not be sufficient. If you book a cheap flight, you might have some money left. We will have cheap rates for dorms at UoWG and GCSU (~45$/night) and we will hopefully have a cheap rate for the stay in Atlanta. Costs for accommodation in the US will be paid centrally by the Department, this share will be directly deducted from your scholarship

  • Can I book an earlier flight there, or a later flight back?
    • You can do that, but you have to make sure that you are at the indicated locations during the seminar.

  • Is certificate XYZ valid as proof of English proficiency?
    • We unfortunately have no reliable guidelines from the EU yet. Please add your certificate and still apply.

  • Do I have to have previous knowledge about Design Thinking?
    • No, you do not have to.

  • There is this Electives presentation organized by the Department on January 23rd. Do I have to apply there for this Specialization Module, too?
    • No. This Specialization Module is being organized outside this process.

  • I need a Project Seminar or another Specialization Module during summer term. Is it an issue if I am not available during our trip?
    • Usually, it is not an issue. If you would like to apply for additional Project Seminars or Specialization Modules, please get in touch with the respective organizers and tell them that you registered for the Specialization Module Design Thinking, and whether this is an issue for their course. The trip, which is the essential part of this Specialization Module, must have priority for you. If you do not want to commit yourself to that, we recommend not applying for it.

  • Will I know before the official electives presentation (January 23rd) whether I have been accepted?
    • Yes.

  • Can you elaborate on "students from non-academic backgrounds"?
    • According to EU: "Students from a non-academic background: students whose parents or caregivers have not finished a higher education degree are considered as first-time academics. A degree from a university-like vocational academy is considered an academic degree”. Following this, students whose parents have a "Magister", "Diploma", "Bachelor", "Master", or similar, are considered owning an educational degree.

  • I have another question which has not been answered yet.