Academic Program
Students can choose one of the following courses (6 ECTS credits each):
Business: Social Media Marketing and Sales
The course Social Media Marketing and Sales (SMS) combines two main areas: social media marketing and sales management. It addresses the growing importance of international (social media) marketing management and sales for the success of a company.
The social media marketing component introduces the basic principles of social media communication, different platform logics, and the structural design of effective social media postings. Students learn how various platforms differ in terms of content formats, user behavior, visibility mechanisms, and communication styles. A particular focus is placed on understanding how social media posts are structured in order to generate maximum reach or, depending on the platform, the best possible marketing output. This includes the analysis of post structure, visual and textual elements, hooks, storytelling, platform-specific formats and the interaction between content design and audience response.
In many industries, product innovations and intense competition place special demands on marketing and sales. A lack of differentiation potential can often be compensated for by innovative sales concepts and channels, customer-orientated advice and support, as well as effective processes and systems. At the same time, sales plays a fundamental role in complex and innovative products and influences the economic success of a company. Empirical studies show, for example, that the sales process is highly relevant to business success: in addition to product satisfaction, customer satisfaction in actual sales and after-sales service is a key factor in customer loyalty - or a reason for customer churn. For this reason, sales is also becoming increasingly strategically important for company management.
This course consists of lectures and exercises that impart knowledge about the use of social media marketing and sales concepts. Students learn how to handle complex marketing concepts. The different requirements of BtoB and BtoC customer segments, various industries, and the distribution of services and products are taken into account in this course.
More information can be found in the detailed course syllabus.
Engineering: Energy Lifestyles: A Technical Comparison Between Nations
Energy Lifestyles: A Technical Comparison Between Nations is an interdisciplinary course designed to examine how different countries generate, transmit, and consume energy across residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors. Recognizing that participants come from a range of academic and professional backgrounds, the course is intentionally structured to support multiple levels of technical engagement while maintaining a common foundation of understanding.
Students will analyze national energy systems using global datasets such as those from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), developing the ability to interpret energy flow diagrams, identify inefficiencies, and evaluate the role of energy imports in national security. Core engineering principles—including energy conversion, system efficiency, and flow dynamics—are introduced in an accessible manner and reinforced through practical application.
To accommodate varying levels of technical experience, the course incorporates layered learning opportunities. All students will engage in conceptual analysis, comparative evaluation, and discussion-based exploration of energy systems. In parallel, optional and embedded advanced components challenge students to apply first-principles reasoning, perform simplified quantitative analyses, and validate energy-related claims using data-driven approaches. These elements allow technically inclined students to deepen their analysis without limiting accessibility for those with non-engineering backgrounds.
Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on moving beyond descriptive comparisons toward evidence-based reasoning. Students will be expected to formulate and defend conclusions using both qualitative insights and, where appropriate, quantitative justification. By integrating technical, economic, and cultural perspectives, the course prepares students to critically assess global energy strategies and participate in informed discussions on sustainable energy development.
More information can be found in the detailed course syllabus.
Contact
Ms. Jessica Mayer
Phone:+49.6151.533-60102
Email: short-term@h-da.de
in cooperation with
