Environmental Humanities - Human places in environmental contexts, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course aims to give the student a multi- and interdisciplinary introduction to central questions and traditions in the emerging research field of environmental humanities. The central theme of the course is the relation between people and places in the ongoing changes of environment and societies, which is reflected in the course literature and examinations. The course examines how human frameworks of understanding, ways of life, and cultural expressions are shaped through the tensions between global and place-based perspectives on environmental and sustainability issues. The student learns to apply environmental humanities' perspectives on environmental and sustainability challenges, among others, by referring to history of ideas, discursive analytical, ecocritical and environmental ethical arguments. This includes a critical reflection on how places are constructed, and how this affects different groups in society. In order to analyze these relations, this course builds on theories and approaches in the field of environmental humanities. Thereby, this course provides the students with a multifaceted understanding of how the humanities' perspectives on the environment can contribute to create sustainable societies.

Expected learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the student will:  

Knowledge and understanding  

• Have good knowledge and understanding about the environmental humanities as an interdisciplinary research field;  
• Have good knowledge and understanding about how environmental issues are approached within different humanistic disciplines  

Skills and abilities  

• be able to analyze environmental and sustainability issues from a humanities' perspective and to apply key concepts of environmental humanities;  
• be able to apply environmental humanities' perspectives on concrete places and situations 

Evaluation and attitude  

• Demonstrate the ability to assess and relate to the complex societal and cultural dimensions of environmental and sustainability problems in society.  

Required Knowledge

90 ECTS courses in one subject, including a degree project (15 ECTS), or the equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

he course is taught completely online and involves seminars and online learning activities. The course is structured into modules that cover specific areas and is designed around the active participation of students, in the form of group discussions and other forms of interaction around course content. Students are expected to participate regularly and to take an active approach to learning.  
  
Technical requirements  

•     Regular, reliable, high speed internet access  
•     A computer (laptop or stationary) with a webcam (built in or external)  
•     A microphone, preferably a headset with microphone 

Examination modes

Assessment tasks include individual written assignments, seminar participation in both written and oral form, as well as individual written and oral presentations.  
 
In order to pass the course, all obligatory tasks and assignments must have been successfully completed. The course is graded on the scale U (Fail), G (Pass), or VG (Pass with distinction).  Students who have passed a course cannot retake an exam for a higher grade.  
  
Students who fail the examination have a right to retake the examination within two months after the first examination, and once again within a year. Examination based on the same syllabus as the ordinary examination is guaranteed during a period of two years after the student first registered for the course.  
  
A student who has failed two examinations for a course or segment of a course, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless there are special reasons (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 6, section 22). Requests for new examiners are made to the Faculty director of studies at Faculty of Arts. 

Deviations from the examination form of the syllabus can be made for a student who has decisions on pedagogical support due to disability. Individual adaptation of the examination form should be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form is adapted within the expected study results of the syllabus. At the request of the student, the teacher responsible for the course, in consultation with the examiner, must quickly decide on the adapted examination form. The decision should then be communicated to the student.