uppdated 02.12.08 ss

Environmental studies (25 credits-)
courses 2008-2009

Environmental studies (Miljökunskap in swedish) is a multidisciplinary subject at Åbo Akademi university. It considers environmental issues with aspects from several subjects. Courses from following faculties are included:

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Faculty of Technology
Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences
Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Theology

Environmental studies is accepted as subsidiary (minor) subject in most study programmes at Åbo Akademi university. Each year more than 100 ECTS are given in Environmental studies, mostly in swedish.
Note: for other environmental courses, see webbpages for respective faculties/departments!

Courses in English 2008-2009:

Faculty of mathematics and natural sciences:
A Sustainable Baltic Region, 5 credits  (200004.0 basic, intermediate)
Concepts of Sustainability, 5 credits (200005.0  basic, intermediate)
Global Fresh Water Resources and Sustainable Development, 5 credits (200007.0 intermediate)
 Sustainable Water Management in the Baltic Sea Basin:
Courser I The Waterscape, 5 credits  (200009.0 intermediate)
Course II Water Use and Management, 5 credits (200008.0 intermediate)
Faculty of Economics and social sciences:
Ecological Economics  I (350214.0 intermediate), II (350218.0 advanced), 5-10 credits
Environmental economics (350210.0), 5 credits (intermediate)
Environmental Politics and Administration in the Nordic Countries and Europe (370155), 10 credits
Environmental Politics (375105.0) Intermediate level, 5 credits
International Environmental Politics (375205.0)Advanced level  5 credits


AUTUMN 2008

Ecological Economics I, 5 credits (350214.0 Economics) intermediate
Aim: The purpose of the course is to give the student an understanding of the fundamental concepts and theories of ecological economics.
Content:
1. Environmental ethics and philosophy
2. Sustainable development
3. Measurement of value in nature
Target audience: students interested in environmental questions
Form of assessment: Paper, Exam
Lecturer: ED Ralf Eriksson
Entry requirements: basic studies in economics
Literature: TBC. 1. Edwards-Jones, G., B. Davies and S. Hussain (2000) Ecological economics. An introduction. Blackwell Science, Oxford. 2. Ekins, Paul. Economic growth and environmental sustainability: the prospects for green growth (2000). Routledge
Mode of studies: lectures (20 h), homework, written exam
Time: weeks 36-42, 44-51, Wednesdays 13-15, place aud Neumann

Ecological economics II, 5 credits (350218.0 Economics) advanced
see course webpage http://www.ises.abo.fi/kurser/nat/Ecolecon/
Time: Autumn 2008

Environmental Politics, Intermediate, 5 credits  (375105.0 Political Sciences)
Lectures: by Vartanyan (or Nommann if course is taken in spring term -08)
Literature:
1. Bomberg, E. Green Parties and Politics in the European
Union. 1998. Routledge.
2. Christiansen, P. M (ed.). Governing the Environment: Politics,
Policy and Organization in the Nordic Countries. 1996. Nordic
Council of Ministers.
Period: Lectures "Internationel Environmental Politics" compensates one book.
Lectures week 38-39 Monday, Tuesday,  Thursday 13-15,
Lecturer: Anna Vartanayan
Contact: Ann-Sofie Hermanson, Department of Political Sciences, e-mail: anherman @ abo.fi

Concepts of Sustainability, 5 credits (200005.0 Open university)
 Content: Concepts of sustainable development, indicators, cases.
Teacher: MSc Sinikka Suomalainen et al
Period: 3.10-10.12.2008 (web-based course, no group meetings)
Enrolments: at the latest 19.9.2008 to Centre for Continuing Education, the Open University, Tehtaankatu 2, by e-mail: opu@abo or registrations or on the web  http://www.abo.fi/fc/anmalningsdb/
 

Global Fresh Water Resources and Sustainable Development,  5 credits (200007.0 Geology)
Water is essential for all life. However, in many regions the water situation is precarious both from quantitative as well as from
qualitative point of view. As 3/4 of the water use is for producing food, water for food production is a critical issue with a growing
population.
Objectives:To get information about the present and future situation regarding freshwater on a global scale. To discuss options for water use to meet
the millennium goals.
Contents:
Global water resources and their use
- Fresh water resources
- Water use in different sectors
- Water for agriculture for feeding a growing population
Water pollution
- Bacteria and parasites
- Organic compounds - pesticides
- Inorganic pollutants - nitrate, arsenic, chromium, fluoride
- Water and health
Water conflicts on different levels - interstate ? societal
Water and millennium goals ? challenges ahead
- Water supply and sanitation
- Increasing water efficiency in agriculture
- Regional transfer of water, migration of people or transporting food
Teacher: guestprof. Gunnar Jacks
Way of work: lectures and public presentations by the students over a given subject or a subject chosen by themselves
Registrations: at latest 3.10.2008 to sinikka.suomalainen@ abo.fi, Centre for Continuing Education
Period: October-November 2008. Weeks 41,42,45,46 Wednesdays, Thursdays 16-19,  Note! The course starts 8.10.2008 at 17.00!!!
Place: Department of Geology, Geologicum, Domkyrkotorget 1 /Tuomiokirkonkatu 1, Aud I

 

Sustainable Water Management (15 credits). The course is of special interest for students with a background in e.g. geology, soil science, environmental engineering and chemistry, hydrology, ecology but other study areas may also be relevant. The course demands previous knowledge within these fields of science. Students are recommended to have studied the previous Baltic University Programme (http://www.balticuniv.uu.se/) courses, The Baltic Sea Environment and/or A Sustainable Baltic Region or similar. Requirements for successful participation are a basic knowledge of chemistry as well as environmental sciences. It is also possible to participate in only one part of the course.
Sustainable Water Management:
Course I The Waterscape, 5 credits
Course II Water use and management, 5 credits
Course III River Basin management, credits (probably this this course will not be arranged during the academic year 2007-2008)

Sustainable Water Management in the Baltic Sea Basin: Water use and management, 5 credits (200008.0 Open University)
Aims and contents: To give a professional knowledge on the state of the water resources in the Baltic region, their present use and management, and the challenge of creating sustainable water-use in the Baltic Sea drainage area. This part focuses on how water is used. The sectors agriculture, municipal water supply, and industry are treated from both quantitative and qualitative aspects. Practical management options are also presented with several case studies.
entry requirements: Students are recommended to have studied the previous Baltic University courses: The Baltic Sea Environment and/or A Sustainable Region or similar. Requirements for successful participation are a basic knowledge of chemistry as well as environmental sciences.
Target audience: The course is of special interest for students with a background in e.g. geology, soil science, environmental engineering and chemistry, hydrology, ecology but other study areas may also be relevant.
Mode of studies: Studies in a group led by a tutor teacher, lectures, case reports, probably videoconferences
Form of assessment: Paper/Presentation/Examination
Literature: Sustainable Water Management in the Baltic Sea Basin. 2000.
Book 2 Water Use And Management. Ed. L-C Lundin. The Baltic University Programme. 240 p. The book is available free on the internet http://www.balticuniv.uu.se/swm/books/textbooks.htm (and also at Åbo Akademi Univeristy Library)
This course is an advanced course in the Baltic University Programme. (This course will be offered if financing is granted)
Teacher: doc. egon Nordström
Contact: Sinikka Suomalainen, sinikka.suomalainen@ abo.fi
Period: 91410-2.12.2008 Tuesdays 16.30-20.00
Registrations: at the latest 3.10.2008 to Centre for Continuing Education, the Open University (http://www.abo.fi/fc/opu/), Tehtaankatu 2, by e-mail: opu@abo or registrations on the web http://www.abo.fi/fc/anmalningsdb/ , or phone Maria Saxén, 02-215 3281
There will be a limited number of participants (15) attending this course

SPRING 2009

A Sustainable Baltic Region, 5 credits (200004.0 Open University)
Lecturer: doc. Egon Nordström
Contact: Sinikka Suomalainen
Level: Basic/Intermediate
Aim and content: How to develop a sustainable Baltic region. Energy, material flows, sustainable agriculture, forestry and marine resources, sustainable industrial production and technology, transports, habitation, sustainable economy, ethics and law for sustainability.
Entry requirements: -
Target audience: Students from all faculties interested in sustainable development and environmental issues.
Mode of studies: Lectures, group discussions, videoconferences in cooperation with students at universities in the Baltic region and literature studies. The course language is english. 
Form of assessment: Active participation, presentations, written examination.
Contact hours: 30
Literature: A Sustainable Baltic Region, booklets 1-10. The Baltic University Programme, Uppsala university. Uppsala, 1997. Study material includes also videotapes.
 Period: 31.1-3.4.2009, Fridays at 17.15-19.45 (weeks 5-14) (new time!)
Place: aud Kosmos (6.2, 3.4 aud Atlas), Centre for Continuing Education, 1 floor
 Registrations: at the latest 15.1.200, to Centre for Continuing Education, the Open University, Tehtaankatu 2, registrations on the web  http://www.abo.fi/fc/anmalningsdb/  , by e-mail: opu@abo or phone Maria Saxén, 02-215 3281. (Information about the Open University http://web.abo.fi/fc/opu/eng/index.htm)
 There will be a limited number of participants (15) attending this course. This course is an undergraduate course in the Baltic University Programme

Sustainable Water Management: The Waterscape, 5 credits (200009.0 Open University)
Teacher: MSci, BEcon Britt-Marie Jakobsson
Contact: Sinikka Suomalainen
Level: intermediate/advanced
Aims and contents: To give a professional knowledge on the state of the water resources in the Baltic region, their present use and management, and the challenge of creating sustainable water-use in the Baltic Sea drainage area. The first part treats the waterscape, i.e., water resources, such as rivers, lakes, groundwater, wetlands and the Baltic Sea with its shore, coastal waters and open sea. Both basic process knowledge and physical and economical geography aspects on the water resources is given in this part.
Entry requirements: Students are recommended to have studied the previous Baltic University courses: The Baltic Sea Environment and/or A Sustainable Region or similar. Requirements for successful participation are a basic knowledge of chemistry as well as environmental sciences.
Target audience: The course is of special interest for students with a background in e.g. geology, soil science, environmental engineering and chemistry, hydrology, ecology but other study areas may also be relevant.
Mode of studies: Studies in a group led by a tutor teacher, lectures, case reports, probably videoconferences
Form of assessment: Paper/Presentation/Examination
Literature: Sustainable Water Management in the Baltic Sea Basin. 2000.
Book 1 The Waterscape. Ed. L-C Lundin. The Baltic University Programme. 207 p.
The course is included in Environmental Studies, and is also accepted as 5 ECTS (to be confirmed) in the subject Environmental and Marine Biology (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences). The book is available free on the internet http://www.balticuniv.uu.se/swm/books/textbooks.htm (and also at Åbo Akademi Univeristy Library)
 Period: 3.2-31.3.2009, Tuesdays at 16.30-19
Registrations: at the latest 20.1.2009, to Centre for Continuing Education, the Open University, Tehtaankatu 2, registrations on the web  http://www.abo.fi/fc/anmalningsdb/ , by e-mail: opu@abo or phone Maria Saxén, 02-215 3281. (Information about the Open University http://web.abo.fi/fc/opu/eng/index.htm)
 There will be a limited number of participants (15) attending this course. This course is an advanced course in the Baltic University Programme

Environmental Politics and Administration in the Nordic Countries and Europe, 10 credits (370156.0 Public Adminstration)
Aim: The student will after this course have overview knowledge about how environmental policies have developed in different parts of (western) Europe. The political and administrative structures for environmental policies are addressed also within this course. The student can after this course to some extent analyze and understand changes in national standpoints in different environmental policy questions
Level: intermediate
Mode of studies: literature course, period 1,2,3,4
Literature:
1. Christiansen P M (ed): Governing the Environment - Politics, Policy and Organization in the Nordic Countries. Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen 1996.
2. Joas M & A-S Hermanson (eds): The Nordic Environments: Comparing Political, Administrative and Policy Aspects. Ashgate, Aldershot 1999.
3. Hanf K & A-I Jansen (eds): Governance and Environment in Western Europe. Politics, Policy and Administration. 1998.
4. Lafferty W M & K Eckerberg: From Earth Summit to Local Forum. Working Towards Sustainable Development. Earsthscan, London 1998.
5. Andersen M S & J D Liefferink (eds): European Environmental Policy: The Pioneers. Manchester University Press 1997.
For further information, please contact Marko Joas, Public Administration, Åbo Akademi University, Piispankatu/Biskopsgatan 15, FIN-20500 Åbo, Finland, phone (02) 215 4561, e-mail: marko.joas@ abo.fi

 

Further information concerning Environmental studies:
MSc Sinikka Suomalainen
Centre for Continuing Education
Åbo Akademi University
Fabriksgatan 2/Tehtaankatu 2
20500 Turku, Finland
Phone: +358 (0)2 215 4870
Fax: + 358 (0)2 215 4943
e-mail: sinikka.suomalainen@ abo.fi