General Studies (Studium Generale)

The Studium Generale has a long tradition at German universities and at the University of Karlsruhe (TH), now the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
This educational opportunity is especially important for a technical university like Karlsruhe, which cannot offer courses of studies in humanities and social studies the way classical universities do. General Studies are directed at students of all departments, interested members of the university as well as guest auditors. They offer a broad range of lectures and seminars about a variety of topics:

• People & Society (Mensch & Gesellschaft)
• Nature & Technology (Natur & Technik)
• Culture & Media (Kultur & Medien)
• Economy & Law (Wirtschaft & Recht)
• Politics & Globalization (Politik & Globalisierung)

Apart from these five subject areas, the ZAK also offers courses on soft skills and computing, as well as creativity workshops. Furthermore, there are KIT orchestras and a variety of choirs and smaller musical formations to proide musical education.

Guest students are welcome to audit Studium Generale courses. A 75 Euro enrolment fee is charged in order to participate in the approximately 180 courses offered. A university catalogue will be provided at the beginning of the semester.

Key Skills – Modules for BA/MA-Students
The BA/MA regulations for students include the module “key skills” (Schlüsselqualifikationen), being a mandatory area of electives.
Every semester, the ZAK offers a broad variety of courses dealing with social and cultural topics. Students acquire key skills that are important not only for their professional career, but also for their studies and for the society as a whole.
As most courses are taught in German, a good working knowledge of German is essential.