EPN-V2

MAIKT-DCL Distributed Collaborative Learning Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Nettbasert samarbeidslæring
Study programme
Master Programme in Digital Learning Design
Weight
15.0 ECTS
Year of study
2018/2019
Curriculum
FALL 2018
Schedule
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

Not relevant.

Required preliminary courses

Pass/fail.

Learning outcomes

The midway and final assessments are made by the practical training supervisor and the contact lecturer at the university. The final decision on whether to award a pass or fail grade is made by the university.

Content

The course presents various ways that major environmental issues are seen as global challenges and are discussed in global fora. Furthermore, the students learn about specific cases of such issues in Ghana and other West-African countries. In these cases, the course provides insights to concerns by various actors at local and national levels. The students gain a basis for critical analysis and reflection upon the causes, dynamics and proposed solutions to environmental conflicts. The course places a significant focus on field experience, including three field trips during which the students will be able to engage directly with some of the major environmental concerns facing Ghana.

At the end of the course the student has obtained the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student has attained knowledge about

  • key concepts in environmental studies, such as 'sustainable development'
  • ways that various types of 'power' is applied in environmental conflicts
  • the role of institutions, organisations and other stakeholders in managing and regulating human impact on the environment
  • the manner in which social and economic dynamics of development interact with the biophysical environment at multiple scales
  • what the approach of political ecology entails
  • the social constructions of the environment and environmental issues
  • the political nature of important contemporary environmental issues, with a particular focus on West Africa, in general, and Ghana, in particular
  • the contingent nature of truth

Skills

The student has gained skills in

  • critical reading and reflexivity on environmental issues and conflicts
  • basic skills in primary data collection (largely qualitative)
  • writing skills and argument formulation

General competence

The student is able to

  • interrogate accounts of environmental problems and appreciate the politics involved in their formulation
  • discuss environmental issues insomuch as they impact on development concerns
  • engage with geographical, sociological and anthropological literature documenting environmental challenges in West Africa
  • understand better the complexities involved in resolving some of the major global environmental challenges

Teaching and learning methods

In line with the course topic, the course is totally net based, and the work methods are highly collaborative. Active participation from all students is a necessity. The course requirements will ensure that the student acquires sufficient practical skills in using tools for collaboration as well as theoretical knowledge. It will also give the students a continuous workload during the semester.

The students are supposed to read the course literature on their own.

Course requirements

There are eight course work requirements, requiring different tools and levels of collaboration. The estimated workload for each requirement is approximately 2-4 hours. The course requirements must be approved before students call for examination.

Assessment

Home exam: the students must write an individual report (2000-4000 words) on their performance of the activities carried out during the semester. This report, containing description and analysis of experiences, based on the course literature, will be the basis of the final assessment.

New or postponed exam will be organised in the same way as the ordinary exam. A revised report can be submitted.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

Examination support material is permitted.

Grading scale

Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences (HiOA) offers an international one semester full-time course (30 ECTS credits) in Global Environmental Studies in Ghana, West Africa. The course is offered in co-operation with Kulturstudier AS.

The course is taught through an interdisciplinary approach incorporating elements of economics, sociology, geography, social anthropology, environmental studies, and political science. It combines a general introduction to environmental studies with focus on sub-Saharan Africa and particularly the West African region. The course activities (lectures, discussions, seminars, excursions, projects, assignments and examination) as well as the literature are all in English.

Examiners

No prerequisites