Active learning

At LUC the Hague we believe that going to college is about learning in the broadest sense of the word. Not only do our students acquire new knowledge, they work on new skills; they may find that their opinions and attitudes towards certain issues change as a result of studying in this international and residential programme. Our vision on education is that we should provide an environment in which students can learn, rather than have teachers stand in front of a class to dispense knowledge and then test whether it has been absorbed at the end of the semester. We choose for progressive, constant, and active learning that involves students at every stage.

Our classes are highly interactive: there are a maximum of 20 students in each class, making it easy to interact directly with the academic or seminar leader, who will know all students in the class. This also means that we expect our students to actively prepare for their classes; in class students apply what they have prepared at home. Not only do they have a responsibility for their own learning process, they also contribute to that of others. Group work is used frequently, strengthening this sense of responsibility.

The academic year consists of four eight-week blocks. Students usually study three courses per block. This guarantees an intense immersion in course materials and subjects, without having to spread one’s attention too thinly over large numbers of courses for long periods. Assessment happens throughout the course; assignments are designed to let students interact with the content of the course in a continuous and critical manner. Students give presentations, write papers & research proposals, prepare for moot courts, lead class discussions, and write commentaries, whatever is most applicable to the learning aims of the course. Case studies take a central place in all courses because these allow students to connect the theory they learn with real life situations.

Assessment is spread throughout the semester, testing not only knowledge but also writing and presenting skills, critical and creative thinking, and problem solving skills. Students do not only receive summative assessments at the end of each semester, but also prompt, formative feedback after each piece of work, enabling them to learn from their mistakes and to consolidate and develop their competences.  Evaluation is an important facet of academic life: not only are students encouraged by their tutors to reflect on their own learning, students are also asked to give their feedback on the courses they take. Their evaluation is an important aspect of the Quality Management Cycle, and LUC The Hague takes the views and experiences of its students very seriously.