Democracy, Human Rights and Sustainability: Global Perspectives in Education, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The three main fields of study are democracy, human rights and sustainability. Basic prerequisites for democracy are highlighted and discussed. Human rights are studied and analyzed historically, politically and from a juridical point of view.  Different theoretical perspectives within the field of sustainable development are studied from both international and Swedish perspectives. The main fields of study are treated in global perspectives and in relation to current topics in education.

Expected learning outcomes

After the course the students should have acquired competence to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe and discuss current challenges for democracy
• describe the history of Human Rights, their preconditions and possible threats in an international context

Skills and ability

• analyze problems and different interpretations in the discourse of human rights

Values and attitudes

• identify and critically examine current fields of debate related to democracy, human rights and sustainability

Required Knowledge

Form of instruction

The teaching forms are lectures, seminars and workshops.

Examination modes

For examination the student shall participate in examining seminars (in case the course is web based so are the seminars), writings short essays, and produce a written assignment on a chosen topic, which shall be approved by the course instructor, within the frame-work of the course. If special reasons exist, the examiner has the right to decide on another form of examination.

To get a pass all examining tasks must be approved. To get a Pass with distinction the written assignment must in addition be graded as VG (pass with distinction), and special focus is placed on the student´s ability to problematize and analyze the content of the course. The final grade is the examiners balanced assessment of the student´s results. The final grades are U (Fail), G (Pass) and VG (Pass with distinction).

For each examining part of the course is a regular examination given with a second reexamination within two months after the regular examination. For examinations performed in May and June is the first reexamination offered within three months of the regular examination. In addition to this is a third reexamination given within a year after the end of the course. Examination based on the same course plan as the regular examination is guaranteed within two years after the earlier course plan has ceased to be valid or the course is no longer given (see rules for grades and examination on basic and advanced level, Dnr: FS 1.1.2-553-14). A student who has failed two tests for a course or a part of a course is entitled to have another examiner appointed after a written request to the head of department. 

Deviations from the form of examination in the course plan can be made for a student who has pedagogical support due to disabilities. Individual adjustment of the examination form shall be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form is adjusted within the framework of the expected learning outcomes of the course plan. After a request from the student shall the course coordinator, in consultation with the examiner, quickly decide on the adjusted form of examination. The decision is then to be reported to the student.  

Transfer of credits
In order to transfer credits to a corresponding course at Umeå University, students have the right to submit previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in the profession for evaluation. Application for transfer of credits is submitted to the Student Centre / Examinations. More information on transfer of credits is available on Umeå University's student website, www.student.umu.se, and the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6). A refusal for transfer of credits may be appealed against (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 12) to the University Appeals Board. This applies whether the entire application or part of the application for transfer of credits is refused.