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‌As part of the Designing Futures programme at the University of Galway, we are developing Transdisciplinary Modules (TDMs) that serve both teaching and student learning goals. A transdisciplinary approach aims to promote student centered modules that will help develop new and exciting knowledge and learning outcomes, eliciting a holistic approach to teaching and learning. A TDM will incorporate a novel assessment element that seeks to enable a practical application and/or experiential component (ideally a project-based assessment).

This strategy is one that cultivates students as active agents and will emphasize the value of their coursework to their future lives, underlining more clearly the competencies and transversal skills, (communication, collaboration, empathy, interpersonal skills, teamwork etc.), that will stand to them beyond the university setting, as well as disciplinary expertise.

Furthermore, project-based, transdisciplinary approaches, where engaged students produce exciting and valuable work, are proving to be hugely rewarding for teachers. Students feel emboldened with the results of their research, realize the critical skills they have in their armoury and build their confidence and agency. Students learn to communicate and act upon the ways they can apply their knowledge. Thus, teachers can see more clearly the concrete results of their teaching efforts in the work produced by their students. This approach also opens a space for teachers to build new networks across our many disciplines, to collaborate with colleagues university-wide and to learn from each other.

If you are interested in signing up for Transdiciplinary Modules Please email:

Dr David Doolin david.doolin@universityofgalway.ie

NOTE: The list of modules for each of the semesters has not changed for the AY 23-24. However, we have one new module currently being developed for AY24-25, so this will need to be added in April or May this year after it has been approved by the University (after the Akari process).

Transdisciplinary Modules Semester 1

BSS2103: Introduction to Sustainability

Climate is in crisis so what can we do? This module will help students understand and engage with the concept of sustainability and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You will learn about sustainability from multiple perspectives, with lecturers from 11 different disciplines as well as University of Galway’s sustainability officer. As a transdisciplinary module we will share tips on how we can all learn, live and lead sustainability at Galway University and beyond.

MG3113: Megatrends

What are Megatrends? Do you know about: The Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, personalized medicine, veganism, income inequality, fintech, cybersecurity. Students become proficient in understanding the pivotal Megatrends of our era, by researching the world’s most significant long-term trends in technology, climate or demography. You will develop research, teamwork, and presentation skills and focus your learning on suggesting real impacts your insights may bring to today’s Megatrends.

PS3108: Design Thinking

Design Thinking is the process of creating ideas, services and product designs that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users. In this module learn how to discover what people really need, build prototypes to test and validate solutions, and craft a story to inspire action.

ED2103: Design Your Life

Using Stanford University California’s Designing Your Life methodology, we will show you techniques and tools to figure out what your interests, talents and curiosities are, and envision what your future work life might be. This module will give you concepts and skills to support your personal, emotional and physical wellbeing.

PH2108: Scaling Big Ideas

Consider the processes involved in the emergence of everyday technologies, (the light bulb, the toaster, the computer, the i-phone). Analyze and understand how chains of value work; delve into concepts about how ideas scale upwards, or not! Reflect on successful ideas that make life easier or better and understand how to frame a hypothesis to test concepts free from personal bias. This module provides an opportunity to reflect deeply on the sources of competitiveness, examining innovations that compete towards far reaching impacts.

MG3117: Intercultural Encounters

This module will offer insights into global citizenship, diversity and inclusion, through disciplinary and cultural boundary crossing, knowledge sharing and co-production, as well as intercultural understanding and collaboration between students. Students with different disciplinary and cultural experiences will jointly address complex issues related to a specific global challenge that also has a local impact, within a team research project. The module is ideal for visiting students to help make sense of their experience in Ireland and also to prepare domestic students for immersion in a different culture (e.g., a year abroad or working with people in a highly diverse organisation).

BI3103: Career Development and Employability Skills

Through this module spread out over two semesters, students will engage with and learn about career motivations, as well as how values, interests and personality influence career preference. They will understand the concept of employability, be able to identify and evaluate career opportunities, and discern the importance of continued personal and professional development and ownership of lifelong learning. In practice they will develop a personal brand and articulate their employability, while producing a career action plan that aligns to short- and long-term career goals to support their transition from university into the workplace.

DT2114: Fail Better: Taking Risks and Developing Resilience through Circus

Students will engage with the idea of learning through failing, (akin to all the great creators/inventors/artists/engineers), and understanding (through practice) the importance of determination, competence, and building resilience, as well as exploring the nature of risk-taking in their professional, working and personal lives. This module offers a one-of-kind innovative learning experience in partnership with Galway Community Circus, learning a new circus skill. In doing so students will then be tasked with testing theoretical ideas through practice, developing and completing a personal challenge plan and evaluating research and practice through critical reflection.

HI2155: Cultural Heritage & Public History

This module will introduce concepts of cultural heritage and engage with public history, in the multiple ways it exists today. The ideas of conservation, presentation and communication of physical or natural heritage, built Heritage and cultural heritage, will be explored in theory and in practice. The module will offer a broad range of topics and case studies that will offer students an opportunity to study various public history constructions. In groups, students will work on a specific public history/cultural heritage project of their choice, to offer new insights and solutions to challenges and/or problems they have critically engaged with through their research.

PS3123: “Sástacht Saoil”: Routes to Wellbeing

This module will introduce students to the concept of well-being and develop their understanding of routes to well-being. Students will learn about the interconnectedness of physical, social and psychological aspects of well-being. The important role of health behaviours (e.g. physical activity, healthy eating) in the promotion and maintenance of physical and psychological well-being will be highlighted. Students will learn about key psychological well-being topics including building healthy relationships, managing stress, and building resilience. They will be supported to identify their personal strengths in a workshop with the Designing Futures Student Success Coaches.

Transdisciplinary Modules Semester 2

AJ2114: Communicating through Storytelling

Writing well and professional communication capacities are now essential requirements for the working world and for social impact for social good. Examine storytelling as a communications tool. Develop your personal brand, learn how to respond, communicate clearly and manage reputation. Put learning into action via the development of storytelling and communication materials. This module will develop your understanding of communication giving you the capacity to weigh evidence, distil and prioritize information cogently, tell effective stories, make persuasive presentations and influence decisions.

BSS2104: Introduction to Sustainability 2

MG3115: Megatrends

ED2104: Design Your Life

SP3211: Empathy In Action

In this module students will be taught to understand what is meant by empathy and differentiate it from similar terms (sympathy, compassion etc). They will be taught to be cognizant of how, when, where and why it is a pivotal concept for their personal and professional lives. They will see how their engagement with and understanding of the concept can inform planning, designing and decision making in determining positive outcomes in all elements of work and life, and they will learn to demonstrate how to enhance empathy through an action project.

HI2156: Revolutionary Technologies, from Steam to Green

Explore the historical development of technological revolutions and their impacts on societies, and the global changes they brought about. Students will learn about iconic technologies, developing an ability to critically engage with their impact and understand the need for a holistic approach to how new technologies are developed, in light of contemporary global problems. Building on knowledge from the Industrial and Digital Revolutions, students will then engage with the potential new technological innovations that are being imagined (and developed) to enhance the Green Revolution. This will be delivered in conjunction with a project-oriented teamwork element, in partnership with University of Galway enterprise partners.

SP3212: Navigating the Digital World

Now more than ever, it is crucial for you to understand your role as digital citizens in this ever-changing world. Understand the history of digital technology; engage with the social impacts of the digital world; critically assess the ecological change brought about by digital technology. Learn how to use technology for the betterment of ourselves as well as society as a whole.

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