In recent months, UvA students have had the opportunity to submit their idea for a new elective as part of the Create a Course Challenge. The Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (IIS) received 178 innovative ideas this year. An exciting record, more than three times the number of ideas submitted last year! 40 of these ideas were further developed by the students and 10 of these were nominated for a place in the final. Last week, all UvA students were able to vote for their favourite ideas, creating a final five.

The 5 plans that will advance to the final:

• (Anti-) Racism - An Interdisciplinary Approach (1712 points)
• Digital Warfare: The future of conflict and order in the twenty-first century (1365 points)
• Sissies, Dykes, and Leather: A Queer History of Amsterdam (1950–2020) (1295 points)
• Communication in times of crisis (1120 points)
• Ableism in Amsterdam: disabled citizens, urban design and policy (867 points)

The 5 plans that will not advance to the final:

• Science Fiction and Politics (690 points)
• Politics of Outer Space and the Relationship of Orbital Infrastructures to the Everyday (667 points)
• Serious Games - Play with a Purpose (597 points)
• Navigating our Common Future (461 points)
• Religion and Economics: God's view on the dismal science (406 points)

The final

During the online finals on 26 November from 17:00 - 19:00, the jury will decide which entry will be developed as a UvA course. The jury is chaired by Karen Maex, Rector Magnificus of the UvA. The other two jury members are Lucy Wenting, director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies and Nina Hol, chair of the Central Student Council.

The final is freely accessible for everyone to attend.