Central European University A Program for University Teachers, Advanced Ph.D. Students, Researchers and Professionals in the Social Sciences and Humanities Summer University

"In the group assignment we used 25 ethics dilemma games developed by the Erasmus University Rotterdam School of Management. Participants were provided with different business ethics dilemma cases. They were asked to make their own decisions that were evaluated both in profit and ethics terms. This exercise was based on group work that provided good opportunities for the participants for clarifying ethical issues in a dynamic, interactive way." (Course Director, Ethics of Capitalism, 1998)

"Another successful element was parallel teamwork. The students were divided into two teams, each had a team leader. They received different hypothetical cases to analyze: the task was not to find the "solution" (since each country has different legislation, traditions and experience) but to find arguments for and against, and to apply the principles we discussed, in practice. Different roles were assigned to participants, e.g. the Journalist, the Historian, the Archivist, the Judge or the Victim. After the parallel session the team leaders presented the findings of the team which was followed by a panel discussion." (Course Director, Access to Information, Access to Archives, 2000)

"One major group assignment was given to make a complex sociological policy research design for a current social problem during and after the class session presenting next day in class for evaluation by fellow participants. Participants were enthusiastic and made very good presentations." (Course Director, Public Policy course, 1998)

"The course presented a variation of team-teaching by "having one teacher discuss another’s workshop at the end of the day in order to map its place within the larger context of approaches to the field, and on average, two other teachers sitting in on each teacher’s workshop." (Course Director, Contemporary Chinese Nationalism and Transnationalism, 2001)

"The combination of lectures /discussion/ and group work followed by group presentations remains an effective method of instruction for this course. Students like the format because it gives them opportunity to apply methods and concepts of policy analysis presented to them in lecture to real situations and then get feedback from other participants." (Course director, Education Policy, 2002)

"Judging by the long tearful partings the last afternoon, I think that by the end of the course a community of practice had been at least partially achieved, with plans for a common web-page and other continuing activities." (Course director, Language and Gender and Society, 2001)

"As the course achieved each of its main objectives, this, in return, has led to a number of follow-up initiatives and recommendations in respect to future activities. In particular, Internet publication of the most successful case studies and other course materials, further networking between participants of the course (through electronic news and discussion groups etc.) were recommended. The Web site developed for the course (http://www.ceu.hu/envsci/sun/materials.htm) will be continuously updated and may serve as a resource in future educational activities in this area." (Course director, Environment and Regional Transport, 2002)

"I benefited greatly and am deeply indebted to each and every staff member for her/his input. The pre-reading really helped to set the stage for "Budapest mode" and it started the focusing of direction. What at first seemed like a fair amount of theory (to bring the group to roughly the same place on the same page) came into focus beautifully in the second week as the combined impact of the various presentations crystallised into a new structure in my mind and the WOW! moments started cascading." (Course participant, Cultural diversities: East and West, 2002)

"I have first enjoyed the variety of methods and expertise of the instructors…and the opportunity to mix with so many cultures fostering the exchange among them."

"multicultural group, pluralism of opinion, an eye-opening experience"

"Atmosphere is very open for thinking, discussing, formulating individual ideas" 

"To learn not only from books and professors, but also from other people, who were very well prepared."

"It encompassed different spectrum of issues in a very effective way. "

"A lucid interdisciplinary approach to some important issues in historical sciences"

"Charismatic and knowledgeable course instructors"

"The experience of reaching consensus in a plural society and the importance of constructing networks and partnership."

"The aspects and dimension of global issues on local and regional development"

"Improved my team working skills through the group exercises and discussions. "

"It offered at first good experience how to teach and second, it provided me with theoretical frameworks which I can apply in my research. "

"It was really wonderful to spend summer time with you, I am especially thankful to you, since upon my return I started to teach Conflict management course at the University, and today were the last classes. Me and students enjoyed the course, so THANK YOU VERY MUCH both for my and students behalf. " (Course Participant, Managing Conflict, 2002)