Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course the students should be able to:

• critically assess and analyse interactions between societal processes, environment and climate variability from a historical perspective,
• critically assess and analyse the importance of an integrated and historical understanding in relation to solving present day problems of sustainability,
• identify and assess the applicability of theoretical models available within the field of historical ecology.

Content

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an overview of the theoretical frameworks offered by historical ecology for understanding interactions between society, environment and climate as well as their particular complexities. The importance of an integrated and long-term understanding of these complex interactions in comprehending and solving present day problems of sustainability will be discussed and critically assessed. Examples of historical ecologies will be given looking at long term processes of human-environmental interactions and particular case studies.

Instruction

The course consists of lectures aimed at providing an overview of different applications of historical ecology. Group discussions will centered around discussion of literature and on a subject of interest and/or a chosen case study. Instrucions are given in English.

Assessment

The course will be examined through individual assignments. Active participation in lectures, seminars and group discussions is required. The following grades will be used: Passed with distinction (VG; corresponds to A or B), Passed (G; corresponds to C, D or E), Fail (U; corresponds to Fx or F). Examination in Swedish is possible.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other directives

A student group representing a broad spectrum of disciplines will strengthen the competence of the group and enables students to participate in diverse, creative discussions throughout the course. We therefore welcome students from all disciplinary domains.