Broadening Part

The aim of the Broadening Part

In the Broadening Part, Honours students learn how to approach a problem relevant to science or society from different perspectives and develop their own approach to it, with vision and an eye to the future. At the same time, you develop a range of skills, and attention is paid to your personal development.

Content of the Broadening Part

The Broadening Part has three components: personal development (Pick your own talent), skills and knowledge (interdisciplinary modules).

Personal development (Pick your own talent) is linked to self-knowledge, self-reflection, leadership, coaching, motivating individuals and groups, and cooperation. The skills component contains elements that contribute to achieving the learning outcomes, such as academic reading and writing, writing for an audience, and presenting and debating in an interdisciplinary context. The knowledge component (interdisciplinary modules) is linked to the themes addressed in the Summer Schools and Winter Schools offered by the faculties (an annual Summer School for example is the Down & Alzheimer Summer School). Interdisciplinary groups of students spend 4 to 7 days studying a topical social issue. This work is done at a location within or outside the Netherlands. This is followed by the Workshop (‘atelier’) in smaller groups.

The Broadening Part has a total student workload of 15 EC. The different components (knowledge and understanding, skills and personal development) are addressed in Years 1, 2 and 3 of the Honours programme, in various ways and in various parts of the programme. The track concludes with the Honours Festival. This is a public event at which all Honours students present their findings and knowledge to a wide-ranging audience, and engage in a debate about their work.

Pick your own talent

An integral part of the Broadening Part is 'pick your own talent' (PYO-t). The programme consists of different parts, spread out over year 2 and 3 for a total workload of 1 EC. During the first meeting, when we mark the start of the second year, an inspiring role model will deliver an appealing lecture. In previous years this was presented by Imre Végh, Henrik Looij, Jan Reinder Rosing, Guido Camps and Rick van der Kleij. The second session will be an evening with a more interactive character about one of two subjects which the student can choose: "Academia" or "Entrepreneurship". In the second half of the second year, the student will follow a short workshop of his or her choosing. These workshops include "Dreaming? Do it!", "Willpower", "Pick Your Own Time" or "Dealing with decision stress." In the third year, there will be more focus on possible study and career paths.

Learning objectives

On completing the talent development programme PYO-t students will:

• have gained a greater insight into their personality (strengths and weaknesses), qualities and talents
• have developed further
• be able to make an informed choice with regard to further study, on the basis of a sound practical and personal plan for the future that reflects their talents, wishes and possibilities.

This contributes to the students’ personal development and prepares them to fulfil leading roles and/or make a significant contribution to academia and/or society in the future, after further study.