Environment now (5 cr)

Objective

You can identify current environmental issues. You are able to relate environmental issues to a wider context. You understand the impact of politics on environmental issues. You are able to discuss environmental issues competently. You can provide well-grounded solutions to environmental problems. You can interpret sources critically and search for information from reliable sources.

Content

What are the current environmental problems?
How do political decisions and geopolitics relate to environmental issues?
How are environmental issues discussed constructively?
How to solve environmental problems?
How do you justify your opinion expertly?
What is a good source and where to find one?

Course material

Rockström et al. 2009 “A safe operating space for humanity” (available online at https://www.nature.com/articles/461472 a)
Meadows, D. 1999. Leverage Points. (available online at: https://donellameadows.org/wp-content/userfiles/Leverage_Points.pd f)

Additional material available on course Learn platform or from Xamk library. Some openly accessible internet material may be used.

RECOMMENDED reading:
Hanley, Nick, Shogren, Jason F., White, Ben. 2019. Introduction to Environmental Economics. 3rd edition. Oxford. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 978-0-19-87323-0
Meadows, D. 2008. Thinking in Systems. Chelsea Green Publishing. White River Junction. ISBN: 978-1-60358-055-7

Study forms and methods

Lectures and lecture tasks, group discussions and presentations.

RDI and work-related cooperation

none

Timing of exams and assignments

Preliminary assignment.
Two Problem Based Learning cycles, each reported, presented and peer evaluated.
More detailed information on learning cycle schedules given on the first lecture.
Lecture task due dates announced in the beginning of the course.

No exam.

International cooperation

none

Student workload

Preliminary assignment (given by the beginning of September) 10 h
PBL cycle lectures, reporting, presenting and peer evaluations 65h
Individual lecture tasks 60h

Total student workload 135h

Course part description

There are two problem based learning cycles. The first cycle focuses on the reasons of environmental problems and the second on the possible solutions.
More detailed information given in the beginning of the course.
Preliminary assignment given before the beginning of September.

Further information

Attendance on lectures is optional, but highly recommended. Those unable to attend may be required to complete additional tasks.

PBL cycle presentations can be given in a group (recommended option) or individually.

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Preliminary assignment: completed/failed
PBL cycles 1 and 2 are reported and presented.
LC 1: 25% of the course grade
LC 2: 25% of the course grade
Each student peer evaluates other students as part of the LC.
Individual lecture tasks 50% of the course grade.

Late submission reduces points.