Choose Your Future
This year at Western, we’ve created 10 new and exciting transdisciplinary Challenge Minors that, regardless
of your degree, will empower you to become the graduate you want to be.
We co-created 10 new transdisciplinary
Challenge Minors
21C Challenge Minors are made up of 4 subjects
from different Schools (the above Schools are examples).
In 2022, we launched 10 new 21C Minors, and 20 or so Curiosity Pods that provide students with more choice. Any WSU student with elective space in their degree can take one of the Minors, and any student, from any degree, can enrol for free in a Curiosity Pod.
We’re expanding what students can do with their degree.
Here’s an example: a Science student looking to fill their elective space with subjects from other Schools, has the potential to transform what their Science degree can do for them. We’re broadening their skillsets and their capacity to contribute to the future of work and society.
“We are facing a disruption in the future of work and society. And the skills of the past no longer align with what that future demands.”
Simon Barrie
DVC and Vice-President (Academic), Executive Sponsor 21C
5 years ago we got together and after analysing the problems the world is facing, along with much discussion with staff, external partners and our own SCPs, we asked ourselves some interesting questions.
“What are we offering students in our degrees that enable them to become that graduate?”
“What are the graduate capabilities we need for the future?”
Our 5 Curriculum Challenges
After much deliberation we cam up with 5 graduate capabilities that we deemed relevant for the Future of Work. These 5 capabilities ended up forming what we call Curriculum Challenges.
Within these Curriculum Challenges, we had teams of staff, external partners & students as partners working together to make the decisions that formed the curriculum. From the subject selection, naming, content creation all the way to the narratives associated with the curriculum.
Become a Future Thinker
We need Future Thinkers to wrestle with the unjust and unfair systems in our world, and move us towards a world that is more inclusive and equitable.
Become an Innovative Entrepreneur
We need of Innovative Entrepreneurs - the the kind of graduate who’s adaptable and self-aware . The type of graduate who at the tip of their fingers possess a diverse set of “practical skills” they can use to solve problems, inspire people and drive change wherever they go.
Become a Global Citizen
We need Global Citizens - graduates who possess the ability to understand, navigate and engage with a complex, globalizing world.
Become a STEM Capable Graduate
We need graduates with STEM Capabilities - to equip any students from any degree with the STEM skills needed to solve problems for the future.
Become a Sustainability Advocate
We need Sustainability Advocates - people who are leaders in sustainability, determined, passionate and more invested than ever to push for a more sustainable, equitable and hopeful future.
Curiosity Pods
We also created a new piece of curriculum called Curiosity Pods. They are short free online learning experience that allow any student from any degree to learn something they're interested in.
