UniPID Virtual Studies Courses
UniPID Virtual Courses
What are virtual studies?
Virtual courses are based on distant learning over the Internet. Although internet courses are flexible with regard to location and schedule, you must make sure you have enough time to participate effectively. Internet courses emphasise the role of discussion and networking between participants, who are responsible for their own learning. So that you can study online, you should have a computer with internet access and the basic programs (such as word processing, presentation graphics, and spreadsheet calculation programs). If the course requires other tools, they will be mentioned in the description of the course. Studying virtually relies on independent studying over the Internet. Students may, and are encouraged, to contact course instructors via e-mail, telephone or instant message.
Each UniPID course is intended for bachelors or masters level students. PhD students are also welcome to participate but are encouraged to check with their supervisor to ensure that courses can be included in their studies.
List of Available Courses
*NEW* Safe and Sustainable Sanitation
Coordinating University: Tampere University of Technology
The course core content consists of Sustainable sanitation, Sanitation in emergencies, History of sanitation, Health and safety, Microbiological risks in water, Emerging water related chemical risks , Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in urban hydrological cycle, Control of risks in drinking water, Reuse of excreta, Technological solutions, Socio-economical aspects related to dry sanitation, Perceptions of sanitation in different cultures and Development co-operation.
*NEW* Ecological Economics
Coordinating University: Åbo Akademi University
The course covers general policy perspectives required by sustainability; economic growth in a historical perspective; sustainability conceptions and measurement within ecological economics; economics and ethics of climate change; global food security; the state of the seas on earth and locally (the Baltic Sea); and the possibility of degrowth.
*NEW* Food and Development
Coordinating University: University of Turku
The course examines food production, distribution and consumption from the perspectives of development, sustainability and global change. The concept of food system is introduced for approaching and analysing food commodity chains as entities that are embedded in ecological, political, economical and cultural environments. Problematics related to food security are discussed in regard to different geographical scales and in the light of case studies. The course will also briefly introduce different forms of alternative food systems and their current significance for the global South.
International Development Cooperation
Coordinating University: University of Turku
The course discusses the origins of development cooperation. How did it come about? The policy making and implementing institutions are introduced, as well as to the different strategies, which have been emphasized up to the present discussion and goals. The development cooperation of Finland is used as an example of the national level.
Concepts of Sustainability
Coordinating University: Åbo Akademi University
Concepts, definitions and dimensions of sustainable development. Indicators for sustainability,cases from different parts of the world.The aim is to give a general understanding how the process of sustainable development has proceeded, to know about the international background documents. To learn about how to measure sustainability, to show good cases in practice, to discuss sustainability from several viewpoints and to relate it to own life.
Development Thinking and Theory
Coordinating University: University of Jyväskylä
International development is a relatively new concept rooted in a long history of thought that has shaped our current understanding. This course examines the evolution of what has been understood as development. Current development theory will be situated into this history to give students perspective and the necessary tools to understand and approach development analytically. This course lays the foundation for development in practice.
Globalisation and Corporate Responsibility
Coordinating University: Turku School of Economics (University of Turku)
Corporate (social) responsibility is the main framework for companies to respond to the global challenges and uneven development. On this course the theme in question will be considered from the standpoint of Millennium Development Goals. After the course students will be familiar with sustainable development, globalisation, corporate (social) responsibility and the MDGs of UN. Students will understand the contents of them and the kind of possibilities and challenges they set for companies.
Human Rights and Development
Coordinating University: Åbo Akademi University, Department of
Law/Institute for Human Rights
This web-based course will examine the interface between human rights and development through addressing the different roles human rights play within development discourse and practice. The aim of the course is to provide the students with an in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to the various strategies aiming at integrating human rights into development policy and practice.
Introduction to the United Nations
Coordinating University: The University of Turku
The course gives an overall picture of the United Nations organization and functions. During this course, students will develop an understanding of both the history, financing and membership of the UN as well as the structure of the UN System, including the principal UN bodies and affiliated agencies. Students will also explore the main activities of the UN in its five primary thematic fields: International Peace and Security, Economic and Social Development, Human Rights, Humanitarian Action, and International Law. Last, students will also examine the UN Reform process, and critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the UN system.
United Nations and Human Rights
Coordinating University: Åbo Akademi University, Department of Law/Institute for Human Rights in cooperation with the Open University.
The course will address the role of human rights within the UN system through focusing on the mandates of selected UN bodies, that is, the Security Council, the International Court of Justice, the Human Rights Council and the Human Rights Committee. Emphasis will be put on the various mechanisms attached to these bodies and their concrete applicability in a crisis situation where human rights are threatened.
UN, Peace and Security
Coordinating University: University of Tampere
The aim of the course is to provide students the basic understanding of how the UN System works in dealing with issues of peace and security and how it has transformed to meet the emerging global challenges. After the course the students are able to critically analyze and understand UN’s activities in the field of peace and security.
Tackling Social Problems in Sub-Saharan Africa
Coordinating University: University of Tampere
The course brings contributions from professionals coming from South (South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania) in cooperation with Finnish scholars and together tackling on Sub-Saharan social problems and perspectives of social development. The approach of the course is on emancipator social development practice.
Project Cycle Management
Coordinating University: The University of Jyväskylä
This course aims to offer practical insights into project management in the field of international development and cooperation. The course provides an overview of management principles in line with development policies and strategies, and introduces students to key management tools and participatory methods used in practical development work.
ICT for Development
Coordinating University: University of Eastern Finland, School of Computing
The aim of this course is to familiarize students with topics related to Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). The course is to explore and experience some of the unique capabilities of ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) in helping to bridge people from different cultural/philosophical/religious backgrounds.
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) In Sustainable Development Studies
Coordinating University: University of Helsinki
This course aims to offer practical knowledge and applications in the field of how GIS can be used in sustainable development studies, especially concerning the sustainability of environment. The course provides an overview of GIS and introduces students to key tools and methods used in GIS. The course explores how e.g. geographers, biologists, geologists, conservationists and others responsible for managing and protecting the environment can rely on GIS to help them deal with a range of sustainable development issues such as population growth, biodiversity, wildfires, land cover, and land use change. The course includes 7 GIS practicals and final project.
Public Health In Humanitarian Crises
Coordinating University: The University of Eastern Finland
The course will strengthen the understanding of:causes (natural, man-made) of humanitarian crises and disasters and their impact on people's health; public health consequences of humanitarian crises; and management strategies of humanitarian crises situations with national and international efforts.
Forest Restoration and Rehabilitation
Coordinating University: University of Helsinki
The course will focus on the restoration and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and landscapes; including agro-forest ecosystems and soils. Degradation through inappropriate land-use practices, introduction of invasive exotics species, mismanagement or exploitation for timber and natural resources will be covered with cases representing different environments and geographical regions. The course will start by giving the necessary introduction to restoration and rehabilitation theory and concepts. The species composition, structure, dynamics and biodiversity (including fauna) of degraded forests and land, and methods of how they can be rehabilitated, as well as the socio-economic aspects, will be examined by looking at and evaluating various case studies.
