Information on individual educational components (ECTS-Course descriptions) per semester

  
Degree programme:Contextual Studies
Type of degree:Intern
 Special-Time
 Summer Semester 2025
  

Course unit titleNew Authority - Application of Method and Attitude
Course unit code800101011900
Language of instructionGerman
Type of course unit (compulsory, optional)Elective
Semester when the course unit is deliveredSummer Semester 2025
Teaching hours per week4
Year of study2025
Level of course unit (e.g. first, second or third cycle)First Cycle (Bachelor)
Number of ECTS credits allocated6
Name of lecturer(s)Martin FELLACHER
Martin MEUSBURGER


Prerequisites and co-requisites

No prerequisites.

Time slot: Intensive training week 14-17 April 2025 in presence and 

24 April to 3 July 2025, on Thursdays from 6 pm (24.4., 22.5. and 26.6. virtual and 8.5., 15.5., 12.6. and 3.7. in presence)

For the intensive training week permanent attendance at the course must be ensured.

Course language: German

Course occupancy: Minimum 9 persons / maximum 18 persons

Course costs: None

Sustainability: SDG 16 - promoting peaceful societies

Course content

Traditional hierarchies, roles and authorities are disappearing, which is particularly noticeable in education, community work and employee management. There is a need to find new ways of dealing with authority. This course provides students with a practical introduction to the basic concepts and methods of the 'New Authority' according to Professor Dr Haim Omer. Based on the principles of non-violent resistance of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, the New Authority offers a contemporary self-image of authority that is based on relationships, solidarity, co-operation and non-violence instead of power and enforcement. Students learn the basic concepts of the attitude and methods of the New Authority and engage with them. The concept of the New Authority is implemented directly in a project of their own choice. Based on a simple project management structure, the students work in teams on real challenges and receive professional and methodological coaching and support. Students are given the opportunity to use the New Authority to exert a positive influence on their environment and experience the power of relationships and cooperation in practice.

Learning outcomes

The students know the basic terms of the concept and methods of the 'New Authority' and are able to implement these methods in their real life context (such as family, job, community, etc.) with ongoing self-reflection.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

At the beginning of the intensive training week, students familiarise themselves with the basic concepts of New Authority (NA) and practise important elements using guided designs. A simple, pragmatic structure from project management is then introduced, which subsequently forms the basis for the practical projects carried out in learning groups. At the end of the intensive training week, all students have selected a task that they will work on in a small team. This task is worked on as a small project, and the content involves an intensive examination of the methods and attitude of the NA. The lecturers are very flexible and available for coaching (technical and methodological).

Assessment methods and criteria

Project work with project presentation. The subject of the assessment is the project result and the well-founded reflection on the working process.

Comment

For further questions please contact: martin.meusburger@fhv.at and martin.fellacher@fhv.at

Recommended or required reading

Omer, Haim. The New Authority: Family, School, and Community. Cambridge University Press, 2011

Omer, Haim. Non-Violent Resistance: A New Approach to Violent and Self-destructive Children. Cambridge University Press, 2004

Fisher, Sarah. Connective Parenting: A guide to connecting with your child using the NVR Approach. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017

Mode of delivery (face-to-face, distance learning)

Impulse lectures, reflection and exercises during the intensive training week with subsequent project work on specific topics.

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