Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences workshops

Perfect for introducing students to the world of hospitality and events, this taster session provides a snapshot of the financial side of the sector. 

Hotels and events are businesses like any other, and make large profits, often for small independent owners. Throughout the session, students will be shown how to improve a business, raise its results and enjoy the extra profits.

An excellent introduction for groups of students interested in managing and owning a hotel, restaurant or event venue.

The aim of this session is to give students insights into the amazing and diverse jobs and career options available in the Hospitality Industry as well as getting them to recognise that the industry has both a moral and commercial responsibility to consider and respond to the environmental and sustainability issues which affect all modern businesses.

Based on real work experiences, this multiple choice scenario activity challenges students to think like senior management and ensure their business is considerate of the environment, customer needs and budget requirements. 

Book a member of our team to deliver this session for your students, or we can provide the necessary resources for you to deliver the session, including a facilitator pack. 

Dive into the world of Events Management with this taster session, as students organise an album launch for a global rock band.

While developing their planning skills, students will look at the details and considerations necessary to organise a large-scale, big-budget, high-profile event. 

From taking the client brief to finding venues in a foreign country, to organising the launch event, press interviews and a celebrity post-launch party, this session will help students to explore whether they have the skills necessary for a fast-paced, multi-skilled role within Events Management. 

In this session, we'll discuss anti-consumption and consumer resistance behaviours that can lead to subversive "doppelgänger" brand images. We'll explore the implications of these images for corporate marketing strategies. Join us for valuable insights into changing consumer behaviour. 

This session will introduce students to the core principles of conflict resolution, one of the most in-demand skills in today’s business world. By diving into real-world scenarios, they’ll learn how HR professionals manage and resolve conflicts to build stronger teams and enhance workplace culture, an essential aspect of any successful business. This hands-on introduction to HR is perfect for students considering degrees in business, management, or finance, as it highlights the key interpersonal and transferable skills taught in these programs. For teachers and career advisors, this taster lecture is an ideal way to give students a preview of what a business degree can offer, helping them envision how HR skills can be applied across various industries.

Students will be introduced to several different areas of marketing, with a particular focus on digital marketing techniques. After discussing various techniques we will watch some examples of video adverts and discuss their impact. The students will then be split into small groups and be given a short amount of time to design and film their own short advert for an item we’ll provide. Students will be able to explore more of the EBS building and campus during whilst they carry out this task. Each advert will then be shared with the whole group and discussed.

The task itself makes references to the following areas of marketing and advertising.

• Marketing vs advertising
• Digital marketing techniques
• Video production
• Psychology of brands

This activity helps to bring the reality of a career in marketing and advertising to life. Students are exposed to advertising messages every day of their lives but may not often stop to think about the thoughts behind the advert or the impact it might have on both the consumer and the brand. We will also aim to dispel common misconceptions about marketing and advertising.

N.B. For the marketing/advertising challenge, students will be required to use their own mobile devices. Each group will therefore need at least one student to be in possession of a smartphone which they are happy to use for filming their video clip and then submitting at the end. This activity also depends on having sufficient staff numbers (including school staff, EBS staff and Essex student ambassadors) to supervise each group when they leave the room/building to film their adverts.

Join us on campus where students will be challenged to complete a fun task which involves working in small teams to build a Lego tower. They will have to plan their build before the execution phase. Once the towers are complete students will calculate the profit or loss generated by their project and a winner will be crowned. We’ll then reflect on the project planning and financial management skills we have witnessed before relating what we have learned to real world construction project examples.

This activity is a fun way to put essential finance, accounting and management skills into context and helps students to understand some of the topics that may be included when studying a business management, accounting or finance degree at university.
The task itself and the reflections we make may include references to:

• Financial management/planning
• Project management
• Fixed/variable costs
• Profit/loss
• Corporate reputation

After we have concluded the task and made our reflections we will discuss the relevant courses available for students to study at UK universities, potential employment options and the entry requirements, application process and benefits for these courses at Essex Business School, University of Essex.

Join us on campus where students will be presented with a business case study for a fictional local business. They will need to read and interpret the case study which will include basic financial performance data. They will then work in teams to carry out a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. They will be expected to include information they have gained from reading the case study as well as their own knowledge of

the type of products and services the business offers. Each team will be asked to share part of their SWOT analysis with the whole group and we will discuss.

This activity is a good example of the sort of case studies students may be presented with during seminars and group work/discussions at university. They will need to work as a team and interpret both financial data and written information. They will also be expected to draw on their own experiences as consumers which is another important skill for university.

The task itself and the reflections we make may include references to:

• SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats)
• Revenue sources 
• Fixed/variable costs
• Consultancy

After we have concluded the task and made our reflections we will discuss the relevant courses available for students to study at UK universities, potential employment options and the entry requirements, application process and benefits for these courses at Essex Business School, University of Essex.

Students can use industry-leading Bloomberg data in Essex Business School's virtual trading floor. This state of-the-art facility gives you access to the same tools used by traders and business analysts worldwide. The Bloomberg virtual trading floor facility at Essex Business School features 12 Bloomberg Terminals with access to the Bloomberg financial and almost real-time data feed. It's a hands-on facility that offers students at all levels the opportunity to learn essential portfolio management skills. It also helps you to learn how to model financial data in a practical setting based on the live financial markets. This taster session will give students real world insight into what it would be like to work in the finance sector and also introduce them to some sought after skills in the jobs market. 

Ever wondered what it takes to become a legal professional? Whether you see yourself as a solicitor, barrister, chartered legal executive, mediator, or arbitrator, this session will guide you through the different career pathways and what it takes to get there. Discover the skills, training, and time commitment required for each route, and gain valuable insights into the diverse and rewarding world of law.

How can we ensure access to justice for those who need it most? This session explores the vital role of Law Clinics in supporting vulnerable individuals while giving students hands-on experience with real-life cases. From family law to housing, immigration, employment, and social welfare, discover how our students train and work on real legal issues, making a real difference in people's lives.

How are contracts formed, and what happens when they go wrong? This session explores key concepts like offer, acceptance, consideration, and legal intent, as well as the factors that can limit contracts and the remedies available for breaches

What does it mean to be a British citizen? This session explores how British citizenship is acquired, passed on, and even given up, examining the legal pathways for individuals and the government's role in the process.

Behavioural economics shows that positive reinforcement and subtle prompts can influence people’s decisions in predictable ways, without limiting their freedom of choice. These nudges help individuals make choices that are better for themselves, their families, or society. This talk introduces the key economic concepts and principles behind nudging, and explores how and when it becomes an effective tool.

How do buyers decide whether to make a purchase now or hold out for a better deal? It’s a common but often tricky decision, filled with uncertainty. Yet these kinds of choices happen all the time and can affect many of the major decisions people face. This talk explores the key factors behind these everyday dilemmas and considers what they mean for overall economic performance.

Governments around the world shape the economy in many ways. They tax, spend, and regulate what buyers and sellers can trade—rules that affect all of our daily lives. This talk looks at how economists understand and justify government regulation, and how they decide whether there is too much or too little intervention.

This political theory lecture will examine the reasons for and against lowering the minimum voting age from 18, as we currently have it, to 12. We will consider the political status and interests of young citizens, as well as the capacities required for successfully exercising the right to vote. The lecture will conclude with some remarks about the role of secondary schools in a world with 12 year-old voters.

Social media was considered to be a tool that would liberate citizens from autocracy and enhance the quality of democracy around the world. Yet that hasn’t happened. Instead, autocrats and would-be autocrats have harnessed technology to use social media to brainwash, confuse and flood their citizens with propaganda, while also targeting citizens in vulnerable democracies. Additionally, with the rise of artificial intelligence, bots and micro-targeting, are we using our free will? How is social media negatively impacting the quality of democracy?

With the recent wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the world appears to be on fire. But is it really more conflict prone than it was in the past? Or has the character of war changed, and we are entering a new phase of “new wars”? We explore what we mean by new wars and whether or not the world has become more conflictual.

What is propaganda? How has it changed? How has it become a tool of conflict, and how does it affect the quality of democracy?

This taster lecture provides students with information about what propaganda is, disinformation and fake news, and how these terms have evolved in practice. In other words what is the difference between disinformation campaigns, and marketing? What is the difference between sharp power and soft power? We then look at how disinformation campaigns are used by different actors to undermine the quality of democracy both in their own countries and abroad.

Why do people leave everything behind and flee their homes? In this session, we’ll dive into the real reasons people become refugees, where they go, and what challenges they face along the way. Through powerful stories from Lebanon and Syria, you'll gain a deeper understanding of their journeys—and why it matters to all of us.

When people think about what drives people to support radical-right parties, they often assume they are voting in that direction because of economic deprivation or because they oppose immigration. Radical-right parties often put immigration high on their agendas and pledge to improve the lives of economically vulnerable people. But social vibrancy in local places is also important.

The decline of the high street has been hollowing out British town centres in recent years. When pubs, community centres, libraries and banks close, it adds to a sense of local decline.

How does the closure of pubs contribute to the rise in support for the radical right?

More than 70% of the world lives in non-democratic regimes today, with 5.7 billion people calling authoritarian regimes home. But how has this happened? There are fewer coups today than ever and yet more countries are becoming autocratic. What are the tools that would-be autocrats use to undermine democracy? What is the role that the public plays in supporting the rise of strongmen? Should we be worried about this?

We’ve heard of the rise (and fall) of oligarchic power in Russia, but what about in other countries. In the US at Donald Trump’s second inauguration the combined net worth of the six richest people in the front row is roughly equal to a third of the value of the entire UK economy. Is the US now an oligarchy as well? What is an oligarchy? How do oligarchs accumulate power? What impact does this have on the state, society and democracy?

Ever wonder why negotiations can go smoothly with some people but totally clash with others? In this session, we’ll explore how culture shapes communication, decision-making, and what “yes” really means across the globe. Through fun activities and real-world strategies, you’ll gain essential tools to navigate international and cross-cultural negotiations like a pro!

Throughout recent decades the Essex accent in particular has become a highly stigmatised accent. But how has that come to be?

Accent bias does not reflect any inherent property about any specific accent, but instead reinforces inequalities in society.

In this taster session, students will learn about accent bias and the long-established hierarchy of how different accents are evaluated in Britain, with particular focus on the Essex accent. 

Are your students intrigued to learn more about the study of linguistics at an undergraduate level? 

This session provides an introduction to the Department of Language and Linguistics at the University of Essex and the courses on offer. 

It also offers an introduction to the subject area of linguistics through an interactive quiz. Teachers and students will work through the quiz at their own pace and explore some of the questions that linguistics seeks to answer. 

This taster session looks at language and gender from two different perspectives. 

The first is a focus on the investigation of linguistic differences between the different genders: What have studies found with regards to how men and women speak differently? What controversies have these studies brought to light and how do newer approaches look beyond the binary distinction of man/woman? 

Secondly, students will consider the notion of grammatical gender in different languages and in particular how the calls for gender neutral language, such as non-binary pronouns, have been addressed in different languages and what resistance they have found. 

What does the study of a modern foreign language at undergraduate level entail? 

In this taster session, students will focus on the introduction of three skills or processes: interpreting, translating and subtitling.

Students will translate and interpret some sentences from English into one or more modern foreign languages. By the end of the session, students will be able to understand and explain the differences among interpreting, translating and subtitling. They will also be able to identify different types of translation processes and interpreting modes. 

What do you need to know about the English language to teach it? How do you teach English in a variety of different contexts? Do you want to understand more about the types of contexts English Language teachers work in? Do you want to graduate with a professional qualification as well as a degree? Are you interested in starting a career in TEFL and in English Language Teaching in the UK as well as in international contexts?

This taster session will answer all these questions and more, providing your students with an unforgettable introduction to TEFL. 

The study of language acquisition and how children learn to communicate has fascinated linguists for decades, as they strive to identify exactly how this process occurs.

This taster session explores the common patterns available in how children acquire English in the first few years of their lives. Students will focus on the acquisition of how words and word elements (such as plural –s and past tense –ed) can be combined to create larger units – phrases and sentences.

An ideal introduction to linguistics for interested students. 

This workshop will look closely at Act 3, Scene 4 of Macbeth, when Banquo’s ghost disrupts the Macbeths’ banquet. We will consider various stage and screen adaptations of this scene, analysing how directors and actors have emphasised either Macbeth’s interiority and psychology, or the horrific spectacle of the scene through their representations of the ghost. Students will also be invited to undertake a creative activity in which they devise their own approach to this scene. 

This is a lecture on the role of film festivals in the industry as well as on the processes involved in organising a film festival. The lecture uses as case study the festival organised and delivered by students from the University of Essex in the academic year, 2022-23. This lecture will allow students to develop an understanding of the importance of film festivals within the film industry and learn about key roles and processes involved in the production of a film festival. 

Interactive workshop (2 to 3 hours) for 15 to 20 students

Discover how filmmakers can turn everyday experiences into compelling stories. This hands on workshop introduces students to the filmmaking process, from developing an idea through to production, while exploring key concepts such as scriptwriting, cinematography, production design and editing.

Working in small groups, students will use their smartphones to create a one minute film inspired by an everyday object they carry with them. Each group will be challenged to work within creative constraints, such as a specific genre and no dialogue, encouraging imaginative storytelling and problem solving.

By the end of the session, students will have gained practical experience of the main stages of film production and a deeper understanding of how observation, creativity and technical choices come together to tell engaging stories. 

This session aims to increase students’ awareness of racial segregation and its historic significance.

We will highlight an important case study of Apartheid in South Africa from 1948-1994 and encourage students to recognise the importance of activism and struggle for human rights during the second part of the 20th century.

We will also discuss how the study of history can be thematic, as well as chronological, and will identify the relevant entry requirements for studying history at the University of Essex.

This taster session offers an ideal introduction to the place of 'Britishness' in historical study, as well as a wider introduction to studying history at an undergraduate level.

Students will explore the theoretical approach to history known as 'identity', applying this to a context of British decolonisation between 1945 and 1970. They will encounter the idea that decolonisation affected people's sense of 'Britishness' and thus encouraged change in the social and political world. Trump, Brexit and the rise of nationalism have all captured an identity with the past.

This session is also designed to teach students about history at a university level, showing students how professional historians construct and use history.

The years between 1890 and 1920 saw huge changes in the United States. Social reform altered the face of the country, with impacts lasting to this very day.

This taster session introduces students to the key events which shaped that social reform, including changes to labour and education across the country.

Students will identify links between these reforms and the rights-based movements in the ensuing decades, discussing the contributions that grassroots campaigners have made throughout this period of history.

Triage is the process for allocating scarce life-saving medical resources in circumstances where demand swamps supply. What ethical principles should we use in navigating triage situations, and what can we learn from the history of triage? Should the success of a triage programme be measured strictly in terms of its success in saving as many lives as possible, or are there constraints on the means adopted in pursuing that end?

The session will look at the way triage was approached in the NHS during the early days of the COVID pandemic, but we will also take a longer view, considering the different approaches to triage that were taken by the 19th British Navy and by Napoleon's army.

In the Book of Genesis, Adam is offered the forbidden fruit by Eve and he decides to eat it. God punishes both Adam and Eve and all subsequent generations of human beings. The session will use the paintings of Adam and Eve by Lucas Cranach the Elder in order to think through the philosophical, theological and ethical issues. What would you do if you were Adam or Eve? Would you eat the apple? Why or why not? What if you were appointed God to serve as Adam's defence attorney at a trial? How would you defend Adam or Eve in a criminal proceeding? And what does all this tell us about the God of Genesis, about the nature of authority - or about ourselves?

According to the Greek myth, Sisyphus was eternally condemned to push a rock to the top of a mountain - only to have it fall back down. Sisyphus' crimes involved betraying the gods, clinging to life, and cheating death. In the 20th Century, Albert Camus argued that we should see Sisyphus as a sort of role-model, and 'absurd hero'. What did he mean? And how are we to assess his account of the continuing significance of this ancient myth?

This talk will introduce the myth of Sisyphus and the question of its philosophical significance.

Why do humans desire to be admired by others? How is this desire for recognition implicated in the rise of vices and evils that disfigure modern societies? In this taster session we look at the fascinating answers to these questions that Jean-Jacques Rousseau outlines in his "Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality among Human Beings" (1755) - a book that is rightly considered to be one of the first and foremost examples of modern social criticism.

The ethics of enhancement deals with ethical questions associated with out ever increasing capacity to biotechnologically improve human functioning: be it physical, mental, or emotional. In this session we want to explore the question, what, if anything, is morally problematic, about enhancing future persons or oneself. 

At least since Aristotle, logic has been built on a principle known as The Law of Non-Contradiction. According to that so-called Law, a proposition (such as 'God exists' or '2+2=4') is either true or not true. It cannot be both. But is the Law of Non-Contradiction really a law at all? The thesis that there are some true contradictions is known in philosophy as dialethism and has in recent years been vigorously defended. But what would it be like to recognise true contradictions, and how would our practices of reasoning and debate have to adapt.

The 'evil child' is a popular plot device in films, television, and literature - but what is it that makes audiences so scared? 

This taster session will introduce students to the psychoanalytic and sociological theories that help explain the ubiquity of evil children characters, helping to understand both the audiences' fear and fascination.

Students will also receive an introduction to the undergraduate degrees in Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, Psychodynamic Practice and Childhood Studies.

How can we learn about psychoanalysis through Robert Louis Stevenson's 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'?

This innovative taster session introduces your students to the concept of psychoanalytic criminology, showing how it can be fruitfully applied to the novel and - surprisingly - how it is quite true that we can carry more than one personality within us.

Students will also use psychoanalytic assessment from a criminological perspective to shed light on Hyde's murder of Sir Danvers Carew. Why does Hyde murder a complete stranger in the brutal and violent way that he does?

This taster session introduces our BA in Psychodynamic Practice and explores careers in psychotherapy, counselling, and psychodynamic work, giving you a glimpse of the skills and insights you can gain.

Discover how understanding the mind can change the world. This taster session introduces the BA in Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, exploring the study of human experience, society, and the ways we can apply psychoanalytic insights to make a real impact.

Explore the causes of exam stress and learn practical ways to manage it. This session uses a psychodynamic approach to help you understand your emotions, thought patterns, and coping strategies, offering tools to navigate stressful periods more effectively.

This session explores Patrick Ness’s Chaos Walking trilogy and its film adaptation starring Tom Holland. Focusing on a world where private thoughts are made public, the session considers themes of identity, relationships, surveillance and power. Using a psychosocial lens, it highlights how literature can illuminate questions about privacy, technology and communication, offering students a thought-provoking introduction to the field.

This session introduces students to the field of Childhood Studies and the wide range of careers it can lead to. Using real-world examples, it explores how the subject helps us understand children’s lives, development and wellbeing, and how this knowledge can be applied in areas such as education, health, social care and community work. It offers a practical and inspiring introduction for those interested in working with children and young people.

This session offers a glimpse into economic sociology and political and cultural economy. We examine the workings of capitalist economies, with a focus on how consumption and innovation shape society.

This session examines modern intimate life, considering the dynamics of families, personal relationships, and sexuality.

This session provides insight into the movement of people across borders, examining why it happens and its wider impacts. Topics include migration, border control, migrant criminalization, and the challenges and opportunities of integration.

This session examines key issues in criminology, from terrorism and organised crime to policing and crimes of the powerful, highlighting the intersections of crime with gender, ethnicity, and class.

Join us to investigate the role of media in shaping social and cultural life. We explore digital culture, its effect on human interaction, the connections between media and governance, and the influence of power in media practices.