For as many ways as we can define the term "culture", there are an equally diverse number of courses offered in this competence area. They all try to approach "culture" from various angles and focus on reflecting on (inter-)culturality and interdisciplinarity, the analysis of gender relationships or artistic practice. The courses offer students the chance to think in a cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary manner, to train their skills of perception and empathy, and thereby reflect on their own subjective point of view.

The basis of (inter-)cultural education is the realisation that one's perception is culturally shaped. With regard to "intercultural competence", the students examine the multifarious nature of socially and culturally structured lifestyles and develop a reflexive understanding of socio-cultural identities which can be useful for their own activities and interaction with others.

The students are given the chance to view and analyse culture and society from the perspective of other disciplines. Courses in which non-related and interdisciplinary knowledge is taught can challenge students to think outside their familiar subject areas, participate in other academic cultures and thereby acquire "cultural competence".

Gender knowledge and gender competence are also integral components in every (inter-)cultural skills-acquisition programme. A cross-disciplinary understanding of the social construct of gender relations with their long-term consequences for the inequitable distribution of opportunities in life and creative development is unarguably necessary in today's heterogeneous societies.

Furthermore, as the problems of professional life become increasingly complex and comprehensive, students not only need academic qualification and social competence, but also innovative ability and "creative competence". It is necessary to break down the barriers of familiar patterns of thinking in order to gain insight beyond conventional wisdom. The courses in this area focus on artistic practice and the implementation of artistic projects which help promote personal development.

After completing the courses in the competence area "(Inter-)cultural and Creative Competence", students will be able to:

• identify, explain and discuss the models, processes and conditions of (inter-)cultural interaction
• confidently put their (inter-)cultural skills to use in various areas of life, in academia and in professional fields
• reflect on the limits and possibilities of their degree course, enriched with perspectives from other academic approaches
• navigate (inter-)cultural situations in a gender-sensitive, socially responsible, linguistically and actively effective manner so that further communication and collaboration is ensured
• initiate and discuss processes for ensuring equal opportunity, gender mainstreaming and gender-diversity measures
• develop, cultivate and broaden their artistic and creative abilities, as well as apply and integrate their creative and innovative potential in various areas of life, and in academic and professional fields in a target-oriented manner
• work as part of a team in a sensitive, empathetic and respectful way

This area of competence offers seminars and colloquiums which focus on systematically investigating and discussing texts and/or images (e.g. from the areas of gender research, intercultural studies, history and theology), as well as practicals, courses and workshops with a strong practice-oriented orientation (e.g. idea mining, creativity techniques, chorus, orchestra). The thematic spectrum corresponds to the various formats in which the course content is taught and presented: (short) lectures, presentations, project work, practical exercises and role-playing.

Responsible for the area of competence: Dr Astrid Rokossa (FB 08)
Participating faculties and institutes: Innovation Office (AFO), Centre for Religious Studies, FB 01, FB 02, FB 06, FB 08, FB 09, FB 14, FB 15, International Office