REASON
AND ENGAGE
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REASON
AND ENGAGE
︎CRITICAL REFLECTIONS ON HUMANITY AND SOCIETY ︎
Reason and Engage is an interdisciplinary course at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel that aims to encourage critical reflection and societal engagement. Free inquiry, civic engagement, responsibility, engaged science, interdisciplinarity and sustainability are central. This course aims to encourage critical reflection on important social issues. Each year, the course explores one central theme whereby theoretical knowledge is linked to society.
︎EACH YEAR A NEW CENTRAL THEME︎
WE ARE ALL ON DRUGS
Each year, the course explores one central theme whereby theoretical knowledge is linked to societal engagement. The 9th edition (2023-2024) explores the theme of drugs under the title: We are all on drugs.
Although from time immemorial people have always used substances to enter a state of intoxication, stupor or sedation, we cannot escape the impression that drugs and the use of drugs have never been so ubiquitous and commonplace as today.
In the 23-24 edition of Reason and Engage, we look at the various sides of drug use through a socially critical lens. Are repressive drug policies a good way to curb drug use? What are the social and environmental effects of the illicit drug economy? What impact does drug use and drug traffic have on the Global South? How are drug use, social inequality and deprivation related? Is the fight against drugs lost and can it be won? Is there such a thing as responsible drug use and what ethical questions does it raise? Will drug tolerance only lead to an increasing drug use?
In a series of lectures in the first semester and through project work in the second semester, we hope to raise these questions and look for some well-founded answers. To this extent, several internationally respected researchers and writers in the field will share their insights. Additionally students will work together with non-academic organizations in multidisciplinary study groups, in order to answer specific questions related to the drug problem.
Although from time immemorial people have always used substances to enter a state of intoxication, stupor or sedation, we cannot escape the impression that drugs and the use of drugs have never been so ubiquitous and commonplace as today.
In the 23-24 edition of Reason and Engage, we look at the various sides of drug use through a socially critical lens. Are repressive drug policies a good way to curb drug use? What are the social and environmental effects of the illicit drug economy? What impact does drug use and drug traffic have on the Global South? How are drug use, social inequality and deprivation related? Is the fight against drugs lost and can it be won? Is there such a thing as responsible drug use and what ethical questions does it raise? Will drug tolerance only lead to an increasing drug use?
In a series of lectures in the first semester and through project work in the second semester, we hope to raise these questions and look for some well-founded answers. To this extent, several internationally respected researchers and writers in the field will share their insights. Additionally students will work together with non-academic organizations in multidisciplinary study groups, in order to answer specific questions related to the drug problem.
︎LEARN ABOUT THE LECTURE PROGRAM︎
During the first semester, the students will be introduced to various perspectives on the central theme during five lecture evenings. The aim of the lectures is to provide arguments and viewpoints from various scientific disciplines. These public lectures take place in different venues in Brussels. Find out more about the program here.
︎HOW TO REGISTER︎
The course unit Reason and Engage is open to students from the 3rd bachelor's degree onwards, workstudents and students from preparation programmes. Reason and Engage is an annual course offered in two variants: for 3 or 6 credits. All contact moments take place on Tuesday evenings from 6pm onward. For more information, please see the study sheet for the 3ECTS variant and the study sheet for the 6ECTS variant.
VUB students wishing to follow the course can register the
course via the Student SelfService.
VUB students wishing to follow the course can register the
course via the Student SelfService.
Met de structurele steun van deMens.nu en het Humanistisch verbond Brussel Hoofdstedelijk Gewest