PENG9530 Advanced Topics in Building Services Engineering Emneplan

Cloud computing is an emerging paradigm of utilising large-scale computing services over the internet that will affect the computing needs of individuals and organisations. Over the past decade, many cloud computing platforms have been set up by companies such as Google, Yahoo!, Amazon, Microsoft, Salesforce, eBay and Facebook. Some of the platforms are open to the public via various pricing models. They operate at different levels and enable businesses to harness different amounts of computing power from the cloud.

The course will be offered once a year, provided 3 or more students sign up for the course. If less than 3 students sign up for a course, the course will be cancelled for that year.

Pass or fail.

Students who complete the course are expected to have the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

On successful completion of the course, the student:

• has a good understanding of the latest developments in the field.
• has a deep understanding of the fundamental scientific theories, standards and methods that are applied in the field.
• can evaluate the appropriateness and application of various scientific methods and approaches to research and development in the field.
• can contribute to the development of new knowledge, theories, methods, standards, interpretations and documentation in the field.

Skills:

On successful completion of the course, the student can:

• deal with complex technical questions and challenge established knowledge and practices within the field.
• formulate questions, and plan and carry out research development work at an international level in the field.

General competence:

On successful completion of the course, the student can:

• manage complex interdisciplinary tasks and projects 
• pursue their research ethically and with professional integrity.
• participate in debates in international fora.
• communicate research and development though recognised national and international channels

The course description was approved by the Dean 24 June 2009 and by the Academic Affairs Committee, Faculty of Education and International Studies 23 May 2013 and 2 May 2014. Minor changes approved 22 October 2015 and 5 December 2017. Valid from spring semester 2018.

The Faculty of Education and International Studies at Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) and Kulturstudier (Cultural Studies) offer an international one semester full-time course (30 ECTS credits) in Peace and Conflict Studies in Nepal. The course is offered twice per year, with semesters starting in August and February.

Peace and Conflict Studies is taught through an interdisciplinary social science and humanities- approach incorporating elements of sociology, political science, history, philosophy, psychology, social anthropology, geography, economy and religious studies. It combines a general introduction to peace and conflict studies with a specific focus on the South Asia region and theories and cases of conflict resolution and peace building. The course activities (lectures, discussions, seminars, workshops, excursions, assignments, examination) as well as the literature are all in English. The first part of the course is a 7-week web-based self-study period, after which the students arrive in Nepal to attend the regular course. During the 10 weeks in Nepal there will be lectures, seminars and group work on weekdays, in addition to field excursions. 30 two-hour lectures will cover the curriculum. A permanent seminar teacher will hold approximately 10 seminars during the 10 weeks in Nepal. The seminars are primarily a forum where students take part in discussions on the course subjects and, through practical teachings and exercises, get a more profound understanding of theories in peace and conflict studies.

The course is part of a series of seminars in which the students actively participate together with members of relevant research groups. The students present papers and listen to paper presentations from other PhD students and staff. The students are also expected to actively critique and challenge fellow participants. The students are provided with a sound foundation in research skills and are naturally integrated into the local research community and its research discourse.

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

Knowledge

The student

• knows the basic theories of peace and conflict studies and the emergence of peace and conflict studies as an academic discipline
• knows the social, economic, political, environmental and cultural conflicts in South Asia, particularly on India and Nepal, historically and today
• knows the different instruments for conflict resolution and conflict transformation in violent conflicts (e.g. civil wars and interstate wars)
• has gained a conceptual understanding of peace building
• knows the role of the UN in conflict resolution and peace building

Skills

The student

• can reflect critically on the theoretical foundations and approaches to conflict resolution and conflict transformation
• can differentiate between the different dimensions of peace building: the security dimension; the socioeconomic dimension; the political and ethical dimension and reconciliation
• can utilize research based material concerning the nature of peace and of conflict, the causes of violent conflict, ways of preventing conflict (i.e., routes toward "negative peace") and the ends frequently identified as "positive peace"

General competence

The student

• has gained experience of working in a group and writing a group paper
• has acquired general academic skills

None.

At the beginning of their stay in Nepal, the students form groups of 3-5 persons. The purposes of these groups are to work on current topics from the lectures and literature, and to complete the group examination. There will be a seminar on how to write papers, in which the seminar teacher will suggest topics of relevance. The seminar teacher is instrumental in forming the groups and supervising them during the writing process.

The following course work requirements must be met before the examinations may be sat:

• Introductory assignment. This is a paper of approx. 1800 words (+/- 10 %) / approx. 4-5 pages, where students must demonstrate good understanding of the key concepts introduced in the introductory part. At this stage, all communication between student and teachers is based on e-mail. The paper is to be submitted through e-mail before students go to Nepal. It will be assessed within the following week.
• Field excursion assignment. This paper of approx. 1800 words (+/- 10 %) / approx. 4-5 pages is written in relation to the field excursions. The aim of the paper is that the students show their ability to connect the contents of the course curriculum with the field excursion.
• Presence. The course is dependent on dialogue and discussions that utilize the practical and educational background of the students. The students have to demonstrate their own understanding of the peace and conflict literature and lecture content. Therefore, it is obligatory for each student to participate with a minimum of 80 % in all lectures, seminars and field excursions. If the level of absence exceeds this limit, the student may compensate with a written submission according to agreement with his/her academic coordinator. The paper shall be of approx. 1800 words (+/- 10 %) / approx. 4-5 pages.

Course work requirements must be met within fixed deadlines. The Study Guide of the course will give details about deadlines defined by OAUC/LUI. Work requirements must be met also by students with valid absence from classes documented by medical certificate. Students who are prevented from meeting the work requirements within the fixed deadlines due to illness or other valid and documented reasons, may be given a new deadline. A new deadline is in each case given by the course teacher.

Course work requirements are evaluated Accepted/Not accepted. Students who submit their work requirements within the set deadline but fail to get accepted, are entitled to a maximum of two new attempts to fulfil the course requirements. A new deadline for meeting the work requirements is in each individual case given by the teacher of the course in question.