310079 Sustainable Tropical Forestry Joint Summer Module

Details
Forest & Landscape
Earliest Possible YearMSc. 1 year to MSc. 2 year
DurationOutside schedule
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
Course LevelMSc
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

oral examination


All aids allowed

Description of Examination: Individual oral exam with point of departure in specified literature and field experiences

pass/fail, external examiner
 
Requirement For Attending ExamSubmission of group field work report of max. 5000 words
 
Organisation of TeachingPre-field work web-based synopsis preparation Two weeks field trip to developing country; this takes place in July/August
 
Block PlacementSummer Course
Week Structure: Outside schedule
 
Teaching LanguageEnglish
 
Restrictions27 students; SUTROFOR students have first priority
 
Course Contents
Exposure to field level realities in a developing countries, including developing and implementing a minor research project related to sustainable tropical forestry. Pre-trip preparation of supervisor approved group synopsis, including detailed description of data collection instruments. A two-week field course to an environmentally diverse area. This will alternate between tropical environments in collaboration with developing country partners. Students will be exposed to a number of topics and/or taken to a variety of sites which demonstrate a range of natural and managed vegetation, and a range of conservation and sustainability issues. Some of these will involve meeting and discussion with local experts. In the second week, students will work in small teams on a project evolved in discussion with the teaching staff.
 
Teaching And Learning Methods
Students will apply concepts acquired during previous topic related theoretical lectures. Elearning used during pre-trip preparation. Field exercises will demonstrate the applicability of the central concepts. Each student will participate in a supervised group. Each group will prepare a synopsis before the fieldwork, conduct fieldwork, prepare and submit a course report. Two weeks field work in a developing country.
 
Learning Outcome
In relation to sustainable tropical forestry, the purposes of the courses are i) to visit and observe a range of field sites of diverse forest structure, land use and management practices; ii) to meet local populations to understand local cultures and their dependency on the forest resource; iii) to introduce the key social and political influences on the management of natural resources by different groups of people in particular environmental contexts; iv) participate in group discussions about the issues raised during visits; v) to develop a critical and analytical attitude to the natural and managed environment; vi) to develop skills in designing and executing a research project.

After finishing the course the student is expected to be able to:

Knowledge
Understand key contemporary issues in tropical forestry (group defined topics)

Understand key social and political influences on the management of natural resources by different groups of people in particular environmental contexts

Overview of data collection instruments and their limitations

Skills
Apply principles, theories and frameworks to locally specific knowledge/conditions

Plan and implement field work under difficult conditions; process relevant information in the field

Communicate clearly, concisely and confidently in written format

Make judgment of the usefulness of methods and the reliability of collected data as well as the significance of obtained results

Competences
Argue cogently and think critically within the parameters of a particular academic discipline

Demonstrate the values of scholarship: inquiry, reflection, integrity, open mindedness, evidence-based thinking, collegiality

Tackle problems by collecting, analysing and evaluating appropriate qualitative and quantitative information and using it creatively
 
Course Litterature
Key literature varies with group topic and field work country. Made available during web-based pre-trip preparation.
 
Course Coordinator
Carsten Smith-Hall, cso@life.ku.dk, Forest & Landscape Denmark/Unit of Forestry, Phone: 35331763
 
Attendance Fee
?800
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Course Scope
preparation75
Excursions116
project work15

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