KU Leuven University Courses

As above, so below: An introduction to soils, ecosystems and livelihoods in the Tropics

0

Soils form the foundation of sustainable development. They grow our food, fiber and fuel, are a habitat for organisms, buffer and purify water and safeguard archaeological legacies. It is therefore of vital importance to understand how soil properties vary across tropical ecosystems and landscapes, and how these properties affect biodiversity and livelihoods. So if you want to understand tropical soils and want to learn how to keep those soils healthy, this course is for you! You'll need basic knowledge of life sciences. In this course, we will go on virtual excursions to explore the major soils of five biomes: forests, mountains, grasslands, deserts, and wetlands. With the support of JRC and FAO, instructors from KU Leuven and ISRIC will explain which soils develop under certain conditions, what their most important traits are and how those insights can make land use more sustainable. Our partners from different research projects all over the tropics moreover will introduce you to their work and show you real-life examples of how they apply soil knowledge through engaging videos and case studies.

Sustainable Business Models: Guidance for Future Farmers

0

Agri-food systems are among the most important human-environmental production systems that shape our society. Current research on global drivers of change unambiguously demonstrates the role of the food system in the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Strengthening the position of the farmer has been recognized as one of the key factors for the transition towards more sustainable food systems.In this course, we will explain the current context, problems and opportunities of the value food chain and more specifically the role of the farmer in this system. We clarify why it is of crucial importance to create a good business plan. We will also explain step-by-step how you can create a strategic plan for a farming business.First we will look at the values, norms and internal factors of a company. Thereby identifying strengths and weaknesses. Next we will dive into the external factors of the business by using the 5 forces of Porter and the PESTEL analysis. Once you know all the factors that define and influence a business, we can start with the creation of a strategy.You will learn about market segmentation and will be able to determine the target groups that fit with the created value propositions. Finally, we will look at the business model canvas and explain how the nine building blocks interact with each other and can be optimized.We realize every farm is unique. There is not one receipt for a successful farm. Yet, we offer you a background, insight and inspiration that helps you to develop a robust, resilient and future-proof business model.This MOOC was made in collaboration with the following projects:NewbieCocoreadoFoxRusticaThis project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement: Newbie No 772835 I FOX No 817683 I RUSTICA 101000527 I COCOREADO 101000573

Euro Noir: Cultural Identity in European Popular Crime Narratives

4

The crime genre, arguably the most popular narrative genre in Europe, is an ideal object of study for evaluating how the process of Europeanisation has impacted the forms of cultural production, distribution and reception.Have you ever wondered what has made crime narratives so popular throughout Europe? If yes, this course is a perfect fit for you!The European collaborative project 'DETECt – Detecting transcultural identity in European popular crime narratives', funded under EU Horizon 2020 research programme, has taken up the challenge to investigate how the concept of ‘Europe’ can help to better understand the current landscape of popular media and transmedia crime narratives.This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 770151.The views and opinions expressed in the MOOC are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission.

Web Security Fundamentals

4.2

Web applications are inherently insecure, as aptly illustrated by a pile of recent events. Insecurity is however not fundamental to the web platform. As a matter of fact, the modern web offers a variety of powerful security features that help stop a hacker. Unfortunately, not many developers have the knowledge and skills to leverage these security features to their full potential.This course is imperative for understanding the fundamental security principles of the web. The course provides an overview of the most common attacks, and illustrates fundamental countermeasures that every web application should implement. In essence, this course offers you the knowledge and skills to build better and more secure applications.This MOOC will introduce you to the web security landscape. Throughout the course, you will gain insights into the threats that modern web applications face. You’ll build an understanding of common attacks and their countermeasures; not only in theory, but also in practice. You’ll be provided with an overview of current best practices to secure web applicationsAlthough no previous security knowledge is necessary to join this course, it will help to be familiar with the basic concepts behind web applications, including HTTP, HTML, and JavaScript.

The EU and Human Rights

0

Whether you are an EU citizen or not, this course concerns you! The EU is a major global actor in the field of human rights. EU treaties state that human rights are a fundamental value of the Union, which must be a silver thread in all its policies. The EU now acts within an impressive array of competences, and therefore has the potential to impact – positively or negatively – anyone’s human rights.This EU and Human Rights course teaches the basics of human rights, placing the EU at the centre of investigation.What factors are key to making the EU a positive or a negative force for human rights? For example, what impact has the economic crisis had on people’s human rights in the EU and the world?Which actors, friends or foes, must the EU engage with to successfully promote human rights? Examples include NGOs, businesses, or other international organisations like the Council of Europe or the UN.What is the impact of the EU in key policy sectors? Examples include trade, development, migration, social policy or international crisis management.All of the course activities aim to improve your understanding of how the EU, alone or in combination with other local or global, state or non-state actors, can better promote and uphold human rights worldwide. The course is intended for anyone interested in human rights and the EU, human rights law, European Studies, international relations, global governance, etc. It is divided into four modules:The EU and Human Rights: Value Promotion and CoherencePromoting Human Rights inside the EUPromoting Human Rights in EU External ActionCapitalising on Success and Remedying FlawsThis course is taught by leading academics, and the content is illustrated through interviews of practitioners in the field of the EU and human rights. The course also comprises a wealth of bibliographical resources, and frequent exercises to test what you have learned.You can follow the content in sequence or complete modules in order of interest to you. Be aware that it would be realistic to spend 4 to 6 hours on each module. The course will be available from October until the end of February and you can follow your own rhythm in studying and practicing what is offered in each module.This MOOC is based on the FRAME project (www.fp7-frame.eu. This course is offered in partnership with Kiron Open Higher Education and the Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI).

Energy Systems Integration: A Trend or a Revolution?

0

This course has been developed with the support of EIT InnoEnergy and ESIG.Businesses and institutions all over the world face critical energy challenges. Namely: the rising cost of energy, the effects of climate change, and the resulting threats to our energy security.If you want help identifying innovative and smart solutions, or if you're looking for new and integrated perspectives on the energy market, then this course is for you! Taking a multidisciplinary approach, this MOOC will help you understand how various energy systems interact and how you can relate your energy expertise to the wider framework of the energy transition.Through your coursework you will meet renowned academics who have joined forces with world-leading industry experts. Together, they'll help you build the skills necessary to develop, plan, and operate a truly integrated sustainable energy system.The course will look at energy systems from the perspective of five disciplines. The overarching value of energy systems integration, energy policy and regulation, the impact of electromobility, the future of electric power systems, and the psychology behind consumer behavior. For each of those disciplines, an experienced academic will explore six lessons, after which an industry expert will illustrate those lessons with real-life case studies.The evolution of today’s energy landscape is complex. And we acknowledge that many more disciplines are involved. Therefore, you may consider those covered in this course as an introduction to even more specialized learning modules that will be offered in the future.Is this course for me?This course will benefit you if you are a professional in the energy sector or simply have a strong interest in sustainable development as an individual. You will learn to understand how energy systems integration impacts your life, your business or research, and you will discover your potential to contribute to the exciting field of energy systems integration.

Data Analytics in Health – From Basics to Business

5

Many people talk about the promise of “big data” to health care. But how can the application of data analytics to big data actually improve health and health care? We will show that novel data analytics based solutions can result in better diagnosis, better care and better curing. This provides fertile ground for entrepreneurship and the development of new businesses.In our course we’ll start from the very basics of data analytics, look at different real world approaches and help you to see entrepreneurial opportunities and develop a business plan.We will cover three important fields:Health care expertise: We will present medical approaches to data and give an overview of challenges where big data based solutions have been developed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness in medicine.Data analytics: We’ll explain the basics of data mining within the context of a wide variety of health care settings, and the types of data and data analysis challenges that you will likely encounter in each. We’ll start with gathering the data, move on to classifying, analyzing and finally visualizing it.Entrepreneurship: You will learn how to assess when data sciences based improvements in health care represent entrepreneurial opportunities. The development of a rigorous business plan is used to help you make that assessment.Participants with prior experience in the medical field will learn how novel data science applications can improve healthcare, create societal value and how to spot entrepreneurial opportunities.Participants with experience in data science or mathematics will learn about medical approaches to data and why healthcare is an exciting area to apply and develop data analytics.Participants interested in launching their startup will learn how big data solutions in health care can provide a solid basis to build great ventures.Whatever your motivation to enrol in this course, we care about your project and your success - that’s why we will guide you through all parts of this learning journey step by step!Enter now to see how you can engage in data driven innovation and make an impact on improving care, outcomes and the quality of life.

Existential Well-being Counseling: A Person-centered Experiential Approach

1

This humanities course offers you the opportunity to explore what really matters in life and teaches you how to nurture your well-being and enhance the well-being of others.We will address themes in your personal and professional life and show you how to counsel at all stages. We start with a positive approach by giving attention to people’s talents. We recognize that human existence involves constraints and difficulties, which is why this course is based on the idea of “existential” well-being.This course will teach you how to live fully as a human being, in this body, on this planet, while at the same time being conscious that you are just a small part of a vast, incomprehensible, universe.Our experiential approach focuses on the innate wisdom of the human organism and our tendency to evolve in a forward-moving direction. You will learn how to become aware of this deeply felt knowledge by giving attention to your body as felt from the inside and to your emotions.Our person-centered approach encourages building optimal human relationships through empathy, respect and authenticity. These are complex skills, which we will bring within your reach by means of simple exercises.Through examples, role-play and video-demonstrations we will illustrate how you can apply our existential well-being approach in a variety of helping contexts, including counseling and psychotherapy. You will develop skills to embody the existential well-being approach as a person and as a professional.Your learning will be enriched through exchanging thoughts and experiences with a diverse group of international participants. You will learn to notice how people from different cultures have different ideas about what it means to live well and meaningfully. You will engage in discussions where divergent values can be respectfully acknowledged. Your personal view of well-being will expand and deepen to a more universal perspective on what it means to be human.This course is taught by instructors with decades of experience in existential psychotherapy, focusing -oriented and emotion-focused therapy, person-centered counseling and positive psychology.The instructors are also teachers and researchers in the fields of psychotherapy, positive psychology, meaning and spirituality at KU Leuven, a prestigious European University.This course offers you a high degree of flexibility. You can follow the content in sequence or choose to complete sections in order of interest to you. Be aware that it would be realistic to spend 6 to 8 hours on each section. The course will be available from October until the end of June and you can follow your own rhythm in studying and practicing what is offered in each section.

Sustainable Trade

0

International trade is a strong engine for poverty reduction, employment creation, innovation, and many other benefits. The important role of international trade for development is also recognized in the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda. According to this Agenda, societies around the world need to achieve 17 goals and above 150 sustainability targets by 2030.However, trade can also significantly contribute to sustainability challenges, such as climate change, deforestation, human rights abuses, and many other issues.Against this backdrop, several initiatives have been developed to make international trade more sustainable.In this MOOC, you will learn more about what international trade is, how it has grown and evolved, and how it is structured around Global Value Chains. You will gain insight into what sustainable development is and how international trade affects it, but also how trade can contribute to achieving sustainability goals. You will acquire knowledge about the different trade instruments that can be used to improve sustainability.In particular, this MOOC will focus on the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS), the systems behind the labels that we encounter on products we buy daily, such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, or the Forest Stewardship Council. VSS have become important market-based tools to make international trade more sustainable. In this MOOC, you will learn more about what VSS are, how they emerged, and how they work. You will also learn to think about the effectiveness of VSS both in terms of their adoption and in terms of impact. You will gain insight into where and how VSS are adopted across different units of analysis, and what motivates or hinders different actors to adopt them. You will also understand how VSS aims to generate impact on different sustainability dimensions, and how research can be conducted to evaluate VSS impact. You will then learn about the current evidence that is available on VSS impact, and reflect on the main challenges in assessing VSS impact. You will also become aware of the interactions between VSS and public policy, and will critically reflect on their future as instruments for trade governance.Learn more about sustainable trade through videos from academic experts, interactive exercises and discussions, online readings, webinars, and interviews with professionals in the field.

The Great War and Modern Philosophy

4

World War 1 was the original catastrophe of the 20th-century. This course investigates the complex ways in which the First World War mobilized philosophical reflection during the war and the varied ways in which philosophical thought responded to the war.Students in this course will be introduced to different philosophical reactions to the First World War through discussion and analysis of texts, documents, images, artworks, film, and music. The relation between philosophy and poetry will also be explored. In this course, students will gain historical knowledge, conceptual understanding, and literacy for a clearer grasp of the complex ways in which philosophy and the Great War intersected.The course is divided into four thematic sections:An Absolute WarThe Clash of CivilizationsMemento MoriThe Hope of PeaceAcross each of these thematic sections, we will explore different philosophical traditions and movements in England, France, and Germany during the war.Discussions will be held in English, Dutch and French.

Enhancing Catholic School Identity

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The Catholic identity of schools today is being challenged by processes of pluralisation and secularisation. While school communities used to be considered more or less homogeneous, nowadays schools are characterised by increasing diversity and a diminishing interest in the Catholic faith tradition, among students as well as teachers. How can schools today maintain and strengthen their Catholic identity, whilesimultaneously remaining open to diversity and otherness? How can the Catholic faith traditionstay relevant for young people today in a way that takes their individuality into account? The model of the Catholic Dialogue School, developed at the Catholic University of Leuven, provides a theological framework and a pedagogical strategy for schools that want to enhance their Catholic identity. On the one hand, it supports principals and teachers in ‘translating’ Catholic teachings so that they become more life-giving and inspiring for students. On the other hand, it encourages schools to enter into dialogue with other traditions and ideologies that are present at school and in society. After all, it is through this dialogue that one’s own identity can be strengthened and deepened in a mutually enriching process. In the words of Pope Francis: “If there is one word that we should never tire of repeating, it is this: dialogue. We are called to promote a culture of dialogue by every possible means and thus to rebuild the fabric of society."[…] This culture of dialogue, which should be included in all lesson programs like a red thread, will help teach young generations to avoid and resolve conflicts in a different way than we're used to."Through five extensive modules of this MOOC, you will become acquainted with a new vocabulary and theological framework regarding Catholic school identity. You will learn, in an active way, about several quantitative instruments to assess the Catholic identity of your school - alongside practical theological instruments to strengthen and enhance it.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals: an Interdisciplinary Academic Introduction

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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, which were adopted in 2015, will determine the course of the global social, ecological and economic agenda until 2030. Information about the different SDGs is abundantly available but a comprehensive framework that brings them all together coherently is often lacking. This course provides a general and accessible academic introduction to SDGs in all its facets. A highly interdisciplinary team of experts will offer their insight into the intricacies of the matter, while practitioners in the domain of the SDGs are closely engaged in the discussion.

Trends in e-Psychology

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This course explores a variety of electronic applications used in the promotion of healthy behavior, focusing on cases relating to physical health (electronic cigarettes), mental health (apps and wearables), and social health (e-mediation). In each of these areas, experts will share cutting-edge scientific knowledge and demonstrate some of the latest e-applications to boost healthy behavior. The course consists of 3 modules:e-Cigarette: Promoting physical health. In this module, you will learn about the potential implications of e-cigarettes as a Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy. You will gain contemporary scientific knowledge about the safety, efficacy, and potential health threats of using e-cigarettes.e-Mental Health: Promoting mental health. In this module, you will learn about innovations in online, mobile and wearable tools used in mental healthcare (a rapidly expanding field), as well as their potential advantages and disadvantages.e-Mediation: Promoting social health. In this module, you will learn about the core principles of mediation, and how you can use electronic communication to prevent escalation and promote conflict resolution during the mediation process.This MOOC consists of knowledge clips, demonstration movies, exercises, discussion, and homework (reading) assignments.

Creating a Digital Cultural Heritage Community

4.7

Do you want to know what happens behind the scenes of museums, archives and libraries? Have you ever wondered what these organisations do to share their collections with audiences? Would you like to learn how to build a strong digital community for cultural heritage?If your answer is yes, then this MOOC is for you! In this course, professionals and volunteers in cultural heritage institutions, as well as teachers, students and amateurs, can learn how to create user engagement with digital cultural heritage.We will teach you about digital curation and annotation. You will learn how to use online repositories, cutting-edge tools and digital strategies, in order to stimulate true interaction and dialogue. At the end of this program, you will be able to help others to discover and enjoy the benefits of cultural heritage. Among many other examples, we take a look at the use case of Europeana, the digital portal for European cultural heritage content.After following the main module that teaches you all about user engagement, you will bring theory into practice by diving deeper into specific examples. Apart from the introduction and the recommended module on user engagement, you are able to craft your own path in this MOOC by picking and choosing between modules. They cover topics such as photography, museums, and dance.These domains offer many possibilities for innovative user engagement strategies. Furthermore, they all form interesting links to perception and memory, enabling them to be used to foster dialogue around cultural heritage.Do you want to acquire knowledge of user engagement theory? Would you like to learn how to apply these ideas and strategies to cultural heritage contexts? Have you ever wondered how to use digital collections to create new ways of engaging and inspiring audiences? Enroll now and start learning!This MOOC is developed by theFifties in Europe - Kaleidoscope and CultureMoves projects, which are co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union.

Artistic Research in Music – an Introduction

0

Artistic research (AR) is one of the most vibrant areas of creative thought in music – in the academic and professional worlds, but also among artists of all kinds who want to develop their practice by working and thinking coherently through its implications, questions, context and potential. AR (along with its various cognate versions) puts musicians themselves – their practices, their knowledge, experience and imagination – at the centre of the production of new understanding, knowledge, vision and discourses for music. In the current moment of great musical richness and diversity, this is more important than ever. Future or historical, acoustic or technological, performer, composer or producer – if you want to participate in this exciting and expanding field (or just want to know what’s going on) this course is for you. The course is curated by the Orpheus Institute, Ghent – a world-leading centre for artistic research in music. Their artist-researchers are joined by experts from international institutions across the globe, who share their experience and understanding. The course is intended to be accessible to musicians with an expert artistic practice and some engagement with its theory, history, and context – as well as an inquiring mind. Masters or advanced Bachelors students will find this relevant, as well as researchers beginning their PhD, teachers at conservatories or universities, and independent artistswho wish to engage with this exciting field.