Threats, Opportunities and Foresight (5cr)

Objective

After completing the study unit the student
- understands the principles of foresight and its role in anticipating future developments.
- becomes familiar with key foresight methods and tools
- is able to analyze current issues and phenomena from a foresight perspective and apply critical thinking in evaluating information
- learns to utilize foresight knowledge in practical assignments, identifying potential threats and opportunities in changing environments.

Competencies: proactive development, critical thinking, analytical skills

Content

• Introduction to foresight
• Foresight methods and tools
• Analysis of current issues and phenomena from a foresight perspective
• Application of foresight knowledge in real-world assignments
• Identification of threats and opportunities
• Critical thinking in foresight processes

Content scheduling

Lessons, exams, and guidance for this study unit take place in June, and active participation in lessons is mandatory.

The final individual assignment is due at the end of July. By submitting all required assignments by the end of July, the study unit credits will be registered for the Spring 2026 semester, even though the final assessment will be completed in August.

Methods of completion

Online sessions and guidance, the thematic tasks, in which students complete tasks/performances assigned by the teacher.

Location and time

The study unit includes six online lessons held via Zoom in June, as well as one mandatory guidance meeting. Active participation in the lessons is required. The study unit includes two book/article exams, which are completed in the eXam exam system.

Lessons are held from 13:00 to 16:00 on the following dates (subject to change):
• Thursday, June 4
• Monday, June 8
• Thursday, June 11
• Thursday, June 18
• Monday, June 22
• Thursday, June 25

Students are required to participate in one guidance meeting. Guidance meetings are held on:
• Monday, June 15
• Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Book/article exam 1 is available in eXam from June 1–2, 2026.
Book/article exam 2 is available in eXam from June 15–17, 2026.

Teaching methods

The study unit combines independent information retrieval, learning, and knowledge production with collaborative group work.

You will familiarize yourself with the topic through literature and demonstrate your knowledge through short exams. During lessons, you will deepen your understanding of the study unit themes through discussions and short exercises. You will complete a small group assignment in which you apply foresight methods and critical thinking. In addition, you will participate in discussions on current topics on the Moodle platform. Finally, you will apply what you have learned by completing a vision work, in which you utilize various foresight tools in a report based on a given assignment.

Exam schedules

Book / article exam 1 is open in eXam 1.-2.6.2026
Book / article exam 2 is open in eXam 15.-17.6.2026

Completion alternatives

No other implementations

Student workload

5 ects = 133 hours of student's work.

Student workload:
• Lessons: 6 × 3 h = 18 h
• Book/article exams: 2 × 1 h = 2 h
• Guidance meeting: 0.5 h
• Group work: 10 h
• Information retrieval: 22.5 h
• Small assignments related to lessons: 20 h
• Individual report (vision work): 60 h

Evaluation scale

H-5