243 | Wie berichtet gehört die akademische Leitung des neuen wissenschaftlich orientierten Zusatzprogramms der Bachelor-Studiengänge namens »Honours« an der CHN zu meinen neuen Aufgaben. Nachfolgend Einblicke in die Informationen für die Bachelorstudenten der CHN, die dieses Programm mit Beginn ihres 2. Studienjahres zusätzlich belegen können.
The Honours programme @ CHN: for what reasons?
The Honours programme, which covers 30 EC, provides students with a solid basis for successfully doing a master course in one of the social sciences, including Economics and Business Studies, after having received their bachelors degree. Furthermore, it offers students an intellectual challenge and a theoretical deepening of the bachelor’s curriculum. It’s precisely the combination of professional and intellectual competences that gives you the possibility to distinguish yourself! Accordingly, an important objective of the Honours programme is to give students the opportunity to make the most of their intellectual capabilities.
What does it actually involve?
Our society is inextricably bound up with the growth and application of scientific knowledge in many areas, in everyday life as well as in the various professional practices. This knowledge is acquired by doing research, not only at universities but in all kinds of institutions and companies. Research can be primarily directed either at scientific aims or at practical applications, but all research is subject to severe methodological criteria. This is connected with the fact that scientific knowledge claims to be more objective, more certain and more reliable than other forms of knowledge. It is for that reason that Research Methodology, including an individual research assignment, will form the heart of the CHN Honours programme.
In the case of numerical research data statistical analyses and techniques are helpful in interpreting and summarizing data as well as drawing the right conclusions from that data. In view of the nature of Statistics, some mathematical background is required. Besides, Mathematics is an important model language and scientific knowledge is usually based on some model of reality because of its complexity.
Scientific knowledge is a specific kind of knowledge. Philosophy of Science deals with the characteristics of scientific knowledge and with different points of view concerning the nature of science. Because of the great impact of science on our society, the relationship between science on the one hand and culture en society on the other can not be ignored.
As the Honours programme @ CHN is primarily aimed at a premaster course in one of the social sciences, and because of the fact that organizations form an integral aspect of contemporary social life, attention will be paid to theoretical concepts concerning both the various organizational processes (Organization Theory) and the ways of strategic decision making in an environmental context (Strategic Decision Making).
A summary of the modules
Year 1 (your second study year @ CHN)
Module 1: Philosophy of Science
This module is focussed on a systematic and conceptual approach to the nature and development of scientific knowledge. It deals with the question to what extent the specific claims that are inherent in scientific knowledge can be justified. It provides students with a frame of reference to discuss the relationship between scientific knowledge and the concept of rationality as well as between science on the one hand and culture and society on the other.
Topics covered are: The various tasks of philosophy of science, different points of view concerning the nature of scientific knowledge and scientific statements (Bloch, Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos), science and rationality, science and culture, science and society.
Module 2: Research Methodology
Main goal is to provide students with knowledge and skills on how to organize and conduct a quantitative empirical research. This module will also enhance critical thinking and analytical skills with respect to understanding and interpreting data and statistical results.
Topics covered are: The various elements of a research design including research method and measurement instruments, data analysis, problem analysis, conceptual analysis and the so-called regulative cycle as overall framework.
Module 3: Mathematics and Statistics
This module provides students with a basic background in mathematics and statistics that will enable them to apply statistical concepts, methods and techniques to solve real world problems and to make informed decisions. The emphasis will be on inferential statistics. Besides, students will be taught to analyse real world problems with the help of mathematical concepts and skills.
Topics covered are: operations on real numbers, rules of algebra, lineair and non-lineair equations and inequalities, combinatorics, various functions of one variable, differentiation and integration (mathematics) as well as: Introduction to probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions, interval estimation, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, analysis of variance, components of a time series (statistics).
Year 2 (your third study year @ CHN)
Module 4: Organization Theory
This module is focussed on acquiring knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts in the field of organizations and their different aspects.
Topics covered are: Concepts, models and theories concerning organizations, structure, culture, organization development & change, decision processes, intervention strategies.
Module 5: Strategic Decision Making
Main goal is to gain strategic insight and to understand the dynamics of strategy. Different theoretical frameworks will be discussed concerning questions like: what is strategy?, which tools and techniques are available?, what does complexity mean for strategy? This module aims to provide an overview of state-of-the-art strategic management concepts and theories as well as to provide insight into a strategy for dealing with an uncertain world.
Topics covered are: Processes of decision making, both at an individual and a collective level, perspectives on strategy, strategies of successful companies, strategy complexity, perceptions of strategic management, strategic governance.
Module 6: Individual Research Assignment
This module will consist of a research assignment, to be conducted individually. The student will be asked to develop a research question, discuss the proper research methodology to be used to analyse data and to write a research report on his or her findings.
The Honours programme @ CHN: overview
Your host
This programme is offered by the Institute Service Management of the CHN.
Selection process
You need to fill out a form (for download look at your Blackboard site) and you will write a motivation essay. An assessment center will follow in October.
Period and time
2 years part-time: you will take part in the module lessons about one evening per study week.
Study load
In total: 840 credit hours = 30 EC
Study methods
Lectures, seminars, independent self-study, research presentations, dissertation project.
Requirements
Successfully finished first study year with a score of 7,5 or better, an examinated IELTS score of 6.0 and a strong interest in scientific studies and research .
Language
English or Dutch (choice)
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