„OTHERNESS – TOGETHERNESS – AESTHETICS. AESTHETIC LEARNING PROCESSES AND SHAKESPEARES IMMERSIVE AND TIMELESS UNIVERSE” is based on cooperation with four Polish universities: University of Gdańsk, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, University of Warsaw, Tischner European University in Kraków with methodical support of Norwegian Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge, Campus Notodden. The aim is to implement aesthetic learning processes to Polish curriculum. Five project teams are to meet in Gdansk for training and sharing experience. During the first term Polish universities will be cooperating with Norwegian specialists to create a new course implemented to the curriculum from summer term. Students subscribing for the created course will have an opportunity to participate in 10-days academic camp in Gdansk, organised to broaden the knowledge and enable networking. The project is targeted at people actively studying or working, thus able to implement the skills and knowledge gained throughout the project in their professional career. The project will be summed up at the academic conference in Notodden and a reviewed publication will be published.

Shakespeare is a methodological platform of the cooperation, as his interest in society, human and the world around us is a starting point to implement new teaching methodology. Timeless Shakespearean themes provide for creating coherent programme with new teaching methods, unknown in Polish higher education. Methodology based on aesthetic processes strengthen the sense of social inclusion in each aspects and stages of social development. Aesthetic experience is a base for transformative learning, it teaches respect to others, shows how to unite various (local) communities, assists in verbalising one’s views and ideas as well as to listen to other viewpoints. It strengthens self-conscience and provides openness to art, science and other people. Polish partners will profit from acquiring the technics and methodologies offered by Norwegian partner, who, on the other hand will be provided with a thorough and professional analysis of timeless and global Shakespeare literary heritage, which – due to universal themes and numerous translations – may be applied in almost all countries in the world.

The project lasts two years, from April 2021 until March 2023. Each Polish University involved identifies their project team comprised of 3 representatives of at least two different faculties. Moreover each team may be supported by co-workers or PhD students involved in the themes of the project. In August 2021 a series of training with Norwegian specialists took place in the Gdańsk Shakespeare Theatre, with the participation of all project teams. The trainings are based on innovative education methods currently introduced in Norwegian education system. Moreover a representative of each University provides a lecture or workshop based either on Shakespeare works in Education or social intervention. This is to inspire the introduction of project themes addressing abuse, violence and exclusion but also the mechanisms of power, democracy and the sense of responsibility. During the Winter semester of 2021/2022 the project teams supported by Norwegian specialists of Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge prepared a 30-hours didactic course for the studentsimplemented during the summer semester. The course was led as an Interdepartmental course. At the end of the semesterfive students from each course were selected on the base of their engagement and motivation to take part in 10-days academic camp in Gdańsk, where they were able to cooperate with Polish and Norwegian specialists from all the Universities involved in the project. The Project not only enables extensive networking but also close examination of the methods and the quality of undertaking in other organisations. At each stage of the project an extensive exchange of experience takes place. The final academic conference taking place in March 2023 in Notodden will sum up and present project results to a wide audience of Polish and Norwegian specialists. The conference will be a meeting point for all project teams as well as other project participants. English publication will be disseminated at partnering universities as well as to Gdańsk Shakespeare Theatre audience.