In this module, students have the opportunity to become more concious of their general skills, attitudes and knowledge elements, so-called key skills competences and to develop them in a targeted manner. While expert knowledge is constantly changing, key competences are of lasting value for solving problems and acquiring new competences, even expert knowledge.

During the lecture methods of Soft Skills are underpinned and justified by relevant scientific insights from
e. g. psychology, education, and social sciences. The students collect and reflect practical experience with selected subjects during the exercises. 

Professional competence
The students:

• identify characteristic properties of scientific texts
• reflect aspects of the use of media

Methodological competence
The students:

• moderate teamwork using the moderation method
• practise to receive and to give constructive feedback

- plan and realize little projects

• create presentations and reflect the presentations of others
• try methods of rhetoric
• reflect methods of project management
• apply and compare creativity techniques

Social competence
The students:

• check out feedback and meta-communication
• reflect the opportunities of teamwork
• gain basic knowledge about conflict management 

Self-competence
The students:

• use methods of time management
• reflect their dealing with criticism and that of others
• learn about the challenge of assessment centers and reflect their possible roles within

Communication, Metacommunication, Feedback, Rhetoric, Writing of Scientific Texts, Teamwork, Moderation, Creativity Techniques, Conflict Management, Presentation, Use of Media, Time Management, Project Management

Lecture Notes for this module including an extensive bibliographic reference list, e. g. Uwe Vigenschow, Björn Schneider: Soft Skills für Softwareentwickler. Dpunkt.Verlag, Heidelberg, 2007.

Participation in the exercises is mandatory since they are part of the examinations.

Practical: during semester, theoretical: End of semester.

Practical Exercises during the semester, written exam at the end.