LK0444, Environmental Discourses and Communication, 15.0 Hp
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Syllabus

Finalized by: Ordföranden för programnämnden för utbildning inom skog (PN-S), 2023-12-22
Valid from : Spring semester 2025 (2025-01-20)

Level

First cycle (G1F)

Main field of study

Landscape Architecture

Grading Scale

5 / 4 / 3 / U

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Course language

English

Entry Requirements

Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide the students with an understanding of forest and landscape as seen from a perspective of ethical choices, and to train the students ability to critically problematize and communicate options in those choices.

After completing the course the student should be able to

• identify how different environmental discourses may entail different understandings of, and consequences for, sustainable development
• demonstrate an ability to describe, distinguish between and discuss different approaches to forest and landscape
• reflect and discuss challenges in translating sustainability policies and goals into concretes measures
• critically appraise ethics and values in forest and landscape dynamics from a local and global perspective
• actively contribute to co-learning processes including constructive feedback to peers and developing reflexive and argumentative skills in an academic context.

Content

During the course, the student develop an understanding of how the forest and the landscape are part of society. Socially critical perspectives are applied to conditions concerning e.g. relations between human and nature, ethics, culture, equality, politics and power. Perspectives from different disciplines and sectors will be discussed.

The course is divided into three parts. The first part deals with approaches to environmental discourses and communication in different contexts (e.g. urban-rural, or global north- global south). Relevant research and theories are introduced through literature and seminars and applied in co-learning processes. This part supports the students understanding of how ethics and communication, discourses and storytelling are related.

The second part aims to explore how discourses, values, norms and worldviews are translated into rhetorics, action and decision-making. Engaging in sustainability policies and goals as a lens and working critically with those, the students train reflexivity and argumentation concerning ethical conflicts. Real-life cases, from which the students will select for the case-study based assignment in part 3, are introduced.

The third part synthesizes the previous parts by application of the theoretical and communicative tools on selected cases. The students identify an ethical dilemma and develop potential approaches to cope with the dilemma. The assignment is presented through creative and sensible use of communication tools. This part relates to the previous modules by stressing reflection on ethics.

Compulsory moments for the three parts include: Attendance to literature seminars and presentation of written reflection; developing an argumentation in a written assignment related to ethical conflicts and sustainability policy and goals; and a presentation and communication of a case study assignment.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

Approved group work and oral presentation, as well as approved individual assignment. Completed compulsory moments.

•  If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management

Supplementary information

Included in program

• Forest and Landscape (BSc)

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
Setting the scene: Forming knowledge about environmental discourses and communication	3.5	0001
Situating knowledge: Case introductions, field trips and finding one's own position through argumentation	4.0	0002
Coping with complexities: Group project on an ethical dilemma	7.5	0003

The Course Replaces

LK0425

Other Information

The right to take part in teaching and/or supervision only applies to the course instance which the student has been admitted to and registered on.

If there are special reasons, the student may take part in course components that require compulsory attendance at a later date. For more information, please refer to the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. A large part of our courses cover knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the environment. To further strengthen this, we have specific environmental goals for the education. Students are welcome to suggest actions regarding the course’s content and implementation that lead to improvements for the environment. For more information, see webpage www.slu.se.

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.