"Querdenken" Lecture Series Sheds Light on the Topic
Sebastian F. is very knowledgeable about programming, but he has little familiarity with art history or the Bauhaus, the theme of this year’s anniversary. Tessa R. specializes in marketing, but she hasn’t yet visited Mainz’s Main Cemetery and has never been to the Opel Arena. Paul S., on the other hand, is excellent at reading financial statements, but would find it difficult to discuss Brexit. This is the case for many aspiring leaders who acquire subject-specific and methodological expertise during their studies but have gaps and shortcomings when it comes to small talk on topics of general knowledge.
Dr. Andrea Beyer and Dr. Anett Mehler-Bicher, two professors in the Department of Economics at Mainz University of Applied Sciences, have taken on this dilemma. They have designed “Querdenken” (Lateral Thinking), an elective course that represents a completely different kind of lecture: a “miniature version of an interdisciplinary program.” Every Monday, the program features a different guest lecture, or participants visit the Bundesbank, the Opel Arena, or a winemaker in his vineyard.
“There is so much expertise at our university that is both interesting and important for general education. It was incredible what we learned and discovered from our colleagues in all three departments,” says Andrea Beyer. “Why not learn from the specialists about important topics that aren’t part of the core curriculum? That was the first positive outcome. The fact that all the colleagues we approached participated and liked our concept was the second outcome that encouraged us to pursue the idea further,” says Anett Mehler-Bicher happily.
