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Transdisciplinary Case Study
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:08:23
Abstract
This course is a research based teaching activity organized in a real-world setting. Students work independently in groups and learn to formulate research questions, apply different methods of data collection and data analysis and to work in an interdisciplinary team as well as in close exchange with society.In 2022, the case is the Biosphere Entlebuch, a region in the Canton of Lucerne.
Objective
Students learn how to plan and implement their research work in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams of students. This includes: structure ill defined and wicked problems; derive relevant research questions; design research plans; apply qualitative and quantitative research methods; work in interdisciplinary and inter-cultural teams; organise transdisciplinary collaboration between science and society.
Content
The case study in the spring semester 2022 will be carried out together with the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch and will start from the general topic of "culture and environment". This topic will be concretised in the following months together with an accompanying group on site and will serve as a starting point for the student work. For this purpose, the topic will be analysed, structured and translated into concrete research questions, which will then be answered. For example, questions could be asked about the role of Entlebuch culture, agriculture and local associations in the Entlebuch and how they relate to, perceive and shape the environment or more generally, what role does culture play for a sustainable land use? The following people coach and support the students in the 2022 case study: • Prof. Dr. Michael Stauffacher (responsible lecturer, co-director TdLab, ETH Zürich) • Florian Knaus, MSc ETH (scientific coordinator, Biosphere Entlebuch) • Dr. Pius Krütli (co-director TdLab, ETH Zürich) • Dr. Bianca Vienni Baptista (Senior Researcher/Lecturer, TdLab, ETH Zürich) • Sandro Bösch (administrative, organisational support, TdLab, ETH Zürich) Advisory group: We will be supported on site by an advisory group that will meet at least once before (23 November 2021), once during (April-May 2022) and once after the student work (summer 2022). The case study is supported by the following experts in the field of cultural and art studies: • Prof. Irene Vögeli, Prof. Patrick Müller, MA Transdisciplinarity, Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) • Prof. Dr. Boris Previšić, Director, Urner Institute "Cultures of the Alps" at the University of Lucerne • Prof. Dr. Bernhard Tschofen, University of Zürich, ISEK - Department of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies • Mira Hirtz, Maximilian Grünewald, Bela Rothenbühler, Initiative for Applied Melancholy https://anthropos-ex.com
Resources
Learning Materials (Links)
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Signup End
- 21.02.2022
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| practical/laboratory course |
Transdisciplinary Case Study
In addition to the weekly Wednesday slots (14h15-18h00, plus approx. 2 hrs. homework per week), the course is organised as block course with the following compulsory elements:
- Two block days: Friday 18 and Saturday 19 March 2022
- Three block weeks (after the semester end) from 13 June to 29 June 2022
Note that there will be an online information event: Tuesday, 7th December 2021, 17h15
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210 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Electives (The entire course programs of ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich are open to the students to individual selection. The students have themselves to check whether they meet the admission requirements for a course.)
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Minor in Transdisciplinarity for Sustainable Development (This minor will only be offered in the academic year 21/22. As of the academic year 22/23, the minor can no longer be chosen. The course units offered in the minor can still be taken as electives.)
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