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Module 7: Embodied and Transformative Practices
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:30:17
Abstract
In this module, we explore embodied and transformative practices that enable us to sense, feel, and enact complex systems, their place specificities, social processes, communication techniques, and our inner selves on our paths to become better guides for navigating and enacting complexity.
Objective
We enact complex systems in various ways - next to scientific, engineering, and design methods, we learn to see, feel, and practice through embodied cognition. We learn practices to connect with place, people, and our inner self. A goal is to develop a rich understanding of embodiment techniques, the reasons why they are helpful and needed in a DRRS Systemic Design context, and how they relate to scientific and design methods of inquiry. Participants will develop their own set of embodied practices, inner development processes, and techniques and relate them to their Quests. As future guides navigating complexity, we thrive on starting to build a holistic skillset we entitle “organic emergence” - the (inner) capacity to deal with and befriend certain and uncertain challenges - through technical tools, inner practices, and collective inclusion. Through all modules, the course integrates three high-level domains of learning competencies—cognitive (knowledge-based), affective (emotion-based), and psychomotor (action-based). In other words, the course integrates science and engineering with designerly techniques and approaches through systems thinking and sensing, building metacognition as of self- and process-awareness, relating these through embodied practices to place-specific real-world challenges in complex systems, accompanying the learning process with an inner development lens — interconnected with the individual Quest projects of the participants. The rapidly developing applications of AI with positive and potentially critical impacts and side effects are intrinsic part of the learning goals, as is the integration of “warm” data, such as intuition. The learning objective assessment starts with the preceding MOOC and its final multiple-choice quiz. To pass the MOOC, 70 percent of the questions must be answered correctly across all modules. During the CAS, active attendance in the live sessions with experts is required for each module. In addition, the Quest’s progress is monitored continuously in the peer-learning process and through individual discussions with the lecturers. Students are asked to contribute at least once per week during the course to the DRRS virtual community on Mighty Networks with internal-public sharing, commenting, or liking. The final learning and progress assessment step is submitting a Quest delivery, which - through all three DRRS CAS’ - builds the base for the Master design thesis, for those taking the full MAS in Regenerative Systems program.
Content
We enact complex systems in various ways - next to scientific and design methods, we learn to see, feel, and practice through embodied cognition. We learn practices to connect with place, people, and our inner self. A goal is to develop a rich understanding of embodiment techniques, the reasons why they are helpful and needed in a DRRS context, and how they relate to scientific and design methods of inquiry. We study - hear, feel, sense, discuss, embody - exemplified specific practices that have shown to be of direct relevance to DRRS and join the facets of Systemic Design. To connect with place, we practice Systemic Cycles, a bicycle-focused consciously question-asking set of practices for slow-traveling through a region. To connect with the non-human nature, we do a deep ecology observation and sensing practice. To connect with people, we experience council practice, community work, and learn the local language. To connect with our inner self, we challenge ourselves beyond the individual mental and physical comfort zone through a Systemic Cycles tour on the field design trip; we practice stillness and embark on a solo night in the Tramuntana mountains of Mallorca as part of a rite of passage, a transition ritual. These are examples of embodied practices we explore; others include View from Above drone flying and climbing, derives, facets of mind-body work feeding from meditation, yoga or calisthenics; and self-compassion practices. All these will help slow down, speed up, build inner resilience and meta-awareness, identify one’s own set of fitting practices, and eventually fuel the aim of building organic emergence. Participants will develop their own set of embodied practices and relate them to their Quest.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- WBZ
- Frequency
- Every two years
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Module 7: Embodied and Transformative Practices | No time listed | 28 h semesterly |
Offered In
-
CAS in Regenerative Systems: Systemic Design (Offered only in the Autumn Semester (two-yearly).)