The University of Groningen, located in the city of Groningen, was founded in 1614. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands as well as one of its largest. Since its inception more than 200,000 students have graduated
Did you know that, besides Dutch, a second official language is spoken in the Netherlands? It’s a language even more closely related to English than Dutch. This language is called Frisian.Maybe you’re interested in minority languages. Or perhaps you’re keen to learn the language that is considered to be very close to English. Or it could be that you have Frisian roots or plan to visit the beautiful province of Friesland and would like to understand the local language.This course is aimed at people with no prior knowledge of the Frisian language, who have a strong interest in learning languages. It will give you a taste of language skills that will help you to survive in a Frisian-speaking environment. The main focus will be on receptive skills like reading and listening. It will be taught in English.
Develop effective study skills for lifeLearning is a fundamental part of life; many of us continue studying even when we leave formal education. This means good study skills are vital for all of us. Many, however, lack these skills and struggle to study effectively.This course aims to change that. Through the course you will learn to become a better student by learning to apply the ‘three-step model’ of studying: previewing, summarising and revising. You will consider your use of time and learn how to make a realistic study plan. You will also learn how to tackle procrastination, deal with stress and keep motivated while studying.This course for anyone currently studying including full-time students and people studying for professional or personal development. It might also be useful to anyone involved in the learning process, for example teachers, student advisors and family.
##Today, energy systems are confronted with pressing global challenges: economical and social development, poverty eradication, adequate food production, health for all, conservation of ecosystems, peace and security. A major transformation – the energy transition - is required to address these challenges.In this course we will take the multidisciplinary approach to examine the energy transition question, providing you with the framework and methods to analyse the question yourself. Will you solve the energy puzzle?Anyone should be able to participate in this course. However, basic knowledge of energy transition will be helpful. The course will be taught at bachelors/masters level.
Join this course to understand how health data is protectedPeople use technologies to track their fitness and health. Medical and health professionals use technologies to treat patients. These technologies generate a lot of health data. With technological developments in the health sector come questions of privacy.This course will explore the protection of health data in light of the GDPR. You will learn about rights, obligations, risks, safeguards and many other related aspects. By exploring the changing data protection landscape, you will improve your awareness of how to protect health data in an evolving digital and technical world.The course is aimed at anyone who is interested in the legal framework concerning health data. It will be of particular interest to medical and health professionals as well as medical researchers, insurers, IT developers, students, patients and other individuals who want to learn more about data protection and the GDPR as regards health data.There are no requirements or expected pre-knowledge required to follow thiscourse successfully. You may also be interested in Understanding the General Data Protection Regulation.
Are you planning to visit, or work or study in the Netherlands soon? This free online course is perfect if you have little or no prior knowledge of Dutch, but would like to master the fundamentals in order to survive life in the Low Countries.Learn basic DutchThe course will run over three weeks, helping you to:introduce yourself and get to know other learnerstalk about your family, friends, work and studyand experience life in the Netherlands.Speak, write and understand useful DutchDuring the course, you will learn Dutch phrases, greetings, vocabulary, numbers, spelling and grammar. Being able to understand the language will make everyday activities, such as shopping or going out to a restaurant, much more enjoyable.By the end of the course, you will be able to recognise familiar words and phrases about yourself and your family. You will be taught to use simple sentences to describe where you live and the people you know.Finally, you will be able to write short texts such as an email or fill in forms with personal details. The main focus will be on receptive skills such as reading and listening.Learn with the University of Groningen Language CentreThe course will be taught in English by lecturers of Dutch and English from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.So, if you would like to get a taste of Dutch - and join the 23 million people who speak the language in the Netherlands, Flanders, Suriname and many other countries - join the course now.This course has been ranked as one of the best online courses of all time by online course aggregator class central.This course is aimed at people with no prior knowledge of the Dutch language, who have a strong interest in learning languages. It will give you a taste of language skills that will help you to survive in Dutch-speaking countries. The main focus will be on receptive skills like reading and listening. It will be taught in English.
To learn how complexity and uncertainty influence and constrain our decisions.Our world seems to ever become more complex and uncertain. Future leaders must be able to act under these conditions.This course provides you with the broad scientific background necessary to develop yourself into one of the future’s key decision-makers.First, this course will address the core concepts of complexity and uncertainty. Next, guest lecturers will explore related sub-fields. Finally, the course will conclude by relating this all back together in case studies about financial stability and city development.Anyone who needs to make decisions in a complex and uncertain context (e.g. managers and project coordinators). The course will be taught at undergraduate level. Basic knowledge of economic, financial institutions, mathematics and logic will be helpful.In this course, we use the free Netlogo software to interact with agent-based simulation models.
This free online course explains Europe as a cultural and political product.We revisit perceived truths about the meaning of European identity. We examine how cultural knowledge and facts were constructed to further post-World War II integration. We will help you understand and identify the complexities of the contemporary crises of European integration and support you in developing novel responses to these crises.We cover such topics as European culture, religion, modernity, the nation-state, democracy and the Other.The course has been developed by the Euroculture programme, a multi-university master’s and research programme on European culture and politics.This course is designed for learners with a personal and/or professional interest in Europe, politics and culture. Those with somepre-knowledge of European history, culture and politics will find this course to be interesting and enriching. Those who studied Europe from either a political or cultural point of view will find much in this course that complements their previous studies. It is ideal for humanities and social sciences students and graduates, policy makers and those working in non-government organisations (NGOs).
In a world of globalisation, people who do not share the same language meet more often every day. Being able to deal with these multilingual practices in an effective way can give you an advantage in your daily life and work.The challenges and opportunities that we will speak of will be recognisable for learners. The course will also introduce you to real multilingual families who will share their personal experiences with their multilingual situations with you. The issues arising from the individual situations of our families will then be looked at from a scientific perspective.This course has been ranked as one of the best online courses of all time by online course aggregator class central.This course is aimed at a wide range of people with an interest in multilingualism such as migrants, linguistics and language students, teachers, language policy makers, professionals who are working in a multilingual environment or parents, who are considering to raise their children multilingually.It may also be an interesting addition for learners who participated in University of Southampton’s course on Understanding Language.However, no prior knowledge is required to take part in the course and we welcome anyone who is curious to know more about multilingual practices.
##Many conflicts in the world today are framed in terms of religion, but there is much discussion and confusion concerningthe precise role religion plays in these conflicts. According to some,conflict and violence are inherent to religion. Others claim that religion is only the guise under which social, economic or political conflicts are fought out. The first step to solving religiously framed conflicts is understanding the role of religion in them, and that is what this free online course is about.Our point of departure is that religion means different things in different circumstances and to different (groups of) people. Therefore, the aim of this course is to show how a religiously framed conflict can be studied in the wider cultural and political contexts of these conflicts. In the course material, we will refer to various religious, cultural and political settings. In addition, we invite you to engage in some modest research activities in your own environment and compare your own findings with those of fellow students.In the first two weeks, we will discuss how the concepts of religion, conflict and violence have been understood historically and cross-culturally, and address the question of how they are linked. This will enable you to move beyond thinking about religion as either an unavoidable cause for conflicts or merely an excuse to mask more mundane conflicts of interest.The third week focuses on the question of why religious conflicts have appeared to increase in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. During the fourth week, we will analyze case studies like conflicts over abortion policies in the United States and the rise of IS in the Middle East. In week five, we will shift our attention to the role of religion in peace building and reconciliation.The course concludes with an assignment in which you will apply your newly acquired analytical tools to write a briefing paper on the role of religion in a specific conflict situation of your own choice.After completing this course, you will have acquired the knowledge and analytical skills to develop critical insights into one of the most urgent issues of today’s world: the various roles of religion in conflicts.This course is designed for undergraduate learners who are interested in analysing the relationship between religion and conflict from a social scientific perspective. Although anyone with an interest in the subject can join.
##Het recht regelt vrijwel alle aspecten van de maatschappij. Soms is dat heel zichtbaar: je komt het tegen in de rechtszaal bij een zaak tegen een grote crimineel of in de Tweede Kamer bij een verhit debat over een nieuw wetsvoorstel. Het recht regelt ook kleinere - maar belangrijke - dingen, zoals het huurcontract van je nieuwe woning of je arbeidsovereenkomst.Het recht is daarnaast voor een groot deel ‘onzichtbaar’. Als je bijvoorbeeld de dagelijkse boodschappen afrekent bij de kassa, ben je jezelf er wellicht niet direct van bewust dat er steeds een wederkerige verbintenisscheppende overeenkomst tot stand komt tussen jou en de supermarkt. Daaruit vloeien veel meer rechten en plichten voort dan alleen het leveren van de boodschappen en het betalen daarvoor.Juist omdat het recht zo veel invloed heeft op het leven van alledag, komt enige juridische kennis steeds van pas.Ben je in het recht geïnteresseerd, bijvoorbeeld omdat je daarmee in je werk- of privéomgeving regelmatig in aanraking komt?Ben je op zoek naar de juiste studie, of wil je binnen je eigen studie je horizon verbreden?Dan is deze introducerende cursus interessant voor jou!Wat je tijdens deze cursus gaat doenDoor middel van video’s, artikelen, oefenvragen en discussies maak je de komende vijf weken jouw eerste stappen in de wereld van het recht.De eerste week legt de basis waarop we de rest van de weken voortbouwen. Wat is recht? Waar kun je het vinden? Hoe kun je het vinden? Je gaat zelf wetten en rechterlijke uitspraken opzoeken, lezen en gebruiken om je argumenten bij een juridische zaak goed te onderbouwen. Deze vaardigheden komen niet alleen gedurende deze cursus van pas, maar ook al direct in het dagelijks leven!De tweede week gaat over een heel zichtbaar deel van het recht: het staatsrecht. Wie maakt de regels? Hoe verhoudt de Tweede Kamer zich tot de regering? Je gaat op ontdekkingsreis in de Grondwet en leert wat de uitwerking is van grondrechten. Is het ene grondrecht belangrijker dan het andere? Betekent de vrijheid van meningsuiting dat je alles mag zeggen? En zijn er mensen die méér mogen zeggen dan anderen?In de derde week leer je meer over schade en aansprakelijkheid. Waarom kun je beter niet zomaar een kelderluik in een café open laten staan? En waarom moet je soms toch iemands schade vergoeden terwijl het niet jouw schuld was? En – ook belangrijk – wanneer hoeft dat niet?In de vierde week leer je wanneer en hoe je jezelf kunt verweren tegen de machtige overheid. Hoe ziet ‘het bestuur’ van ons land er precies uit? En wat kun je doen als je van de burgemeester geen project X-feestje mag houden? Of als je geen bouwvergunning voor een nieuwe dakkapel krijgt?De vijfde week gaat over een onderdeel van het recht waar je waarschijnlijk meteen aan denkt bij het woord ‘recht’: het strafrecht. Er komen vragen aan de orde als: wanneer bega je een strafbaar feit? Kun je de staf ontlopen door een ‘vormfout’? Wanneer en hoe intensief mag je jezelf of een ander verdedigen tegen een aanval?Wat je na deze cursus kuntNa afloop van de cursus ben je in staat om:uit te leggen wat ‘recht’ is aan de hand van de functies, de bronnen en de indeling van het recht;verschillende rechtsgebieden van elkaar te onderscheiden;enkele juridische basisbegrippen te herkennen en te beschrijven;wetgeving en uitspraken van rechters op te zoeken en op elementair niveau te analyseren;basale juridische problemen op te lossen en de oplossing te motiveren aan de hand van wetsartikelen en rechterlijke uitspraken.Schrijf je nu in en doe mee!De online cursus Inleiding Nederlands Recht is bedoeld voor iedereen die geïnteresseerd is in het recht en weinig tot geen voorkennis heeft. De cursus is bij uitstek geschikt voor degene die ophet werk, tijdens de studie of in de privé-omgeving regelmatig met het recht in aanraking komt. Ook voor studiekiezers is dit een interessante eerste kennismaking met het recht.
Discover the science behind the ageing processThe “why” and “how” of ageing has puzzled mankind ever since it questioned its place in the universe.However, it was only after infectious diseases became more controlled and reliable food supplies became generally available, that the rapid increase of the average lifespan made science turn its attention to study longevity and ageing.To fulfil the desire to live longer and age healthier, it is essential that we better understand the intricate molecular processes that evolve in our body when we age.Study the concepts and theories of ageingIn this free online course, you will study the current concepts and theories of ageing. You will learn about the molecular and cellular processes in ageing. You will explore the cell systems, animal models and advanced experimental methods that we use to study ageing.After introducing the main theories and mechanisms of ageing in the first week, we will proceed with a series of in-depth lectures from distinguished researchers working at the European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing at the University of Groningen. They will present you with a selection of their current research and will explain the fundamental questions they try to answer and the experimental approaches they use for their studies.You will learn that ageing starts at the cell level and you will study several phenomena which take place in cells, such as genomic instability, telomere shortening and epigenetic changes.By completing this course you will gain insight into the fundamental biology of ageing in various simple and complex organisms, including humans.The course is aimed at anyone interested in understanding the biology of ageing. It requires basic knowledge of biology, though most of the terms are explained and you will receive further support via additional reading.
Student assistants are valuable staff members at the University of Groningen. Currently, over 700 students take up teaching duties, support role functions, governing positions, and many other responsibilities.But, how to prepare for a job as a student assistant? What is professional behaviour? How to deal with challenging situations in the classroom? How to support first year students? These and other questions will be covered in this course.This course is designed for anyone with a passion for higher education. The course is specifically tailored to the needs of students and employees, who are involved in teaching, support and participation in governing bodies of higher education institutions.
Learn how to develop language tests for awake brain surgeryLanguage representation in the brain can be studied by testing language during awake brain surgery. In this course, you will get to know the importance of neurolinguistics and awake brain surgery by seeing the collaboration between surgical staff and neurolinguists before, during and after the operation.You will also learn how to develop appropriate language tests for use during awake brain surgery and explore some of the latest developments in this field.The course has been created for healthcare professionals involved in the procedure of awake surgery, including neurosurgeons and neurosurgical teams but also neurolinguists and clinical linguists who wish to start developing language tests.Equally, it will be relevant for anyone involved in the procedure before, during and after awake brain surgery including neuro-anaesthesiologists, neuropsychologists, nursing staff and neurologists.It also delivers useful information for patients with brain tumours and their proxies, to inform them about the surgical procedure they are about to undergo as well as anyone else intrigued by the topic.
Examine the role of religion in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)Reproductive rights are at the forefront of many of today’s most heated political and ideological battles. Understanding the relationship between religion, gender, and sexual wellbeing is crucial to understanding the world today.On this course, you’ll reflect on sexuality as a private and public affair, exploring people’s lived experiences around sexuality, intimacy and pregnancy.Examine the role of religion in sexual wellbeingYou’ll explore the difference between religion as a lived experience, and religion as prescribed by religious authorities in relation to sexual activity and health.You’ll examine how sexuality can be the cause of ideological debate as much as a source of enrichment, and explore the dynamics of the current polarisation around reproductive rights in relation to local, national and global histories.Explore sexual wellbeing alongside expertsUsing real-world case studies from the Philippines, Zimbabwe, and the Netherlands you’ll reflect upon how people become sexually knowledgeable, and how we can combat gendered forms of violence.You’ll come away able to investigate the consequences of cultural polarisation around reproductive rights, and to reflect on how to supports people’s sexual wellbeing and health.This course is for anyone interested in the topics covered. More specifically, it could benefit faith-based and secular organisations that promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across the globe.
Understand what the GDPR means for you as data subject, controller or processorOn 25 May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), aiming to improve data protection for individuals across the EU, became directly applicable. Now, organisations need to be compliant with the new rules and should act immediately.By developing good knowledge of the GDPR and understanding how it affects you, you will learn about the first steps for making your organisation compliant and can immediately start taking them. You will explore data subjects’ rights, data controllers’ and processors’ obligations, and enforcement and compliance notions in the context of the Regulation.This course has been ranked as one of the best online courses of all time by online course aggregator class central.The course is specifically developed for professionals working for companies, public authorities and bodies, students, and anyone who wishes to know more about data protection and the GDPR, especially those handling personal data.