LEARNING OUTCOMES
In this course, you will learn:
- to observe, explore/unpack, and discuss these relationships between socio-ecological developments and work
- to understand different ways films portray, represent, or construct the relationship between work and nature
- to identify and contextualize ideologies in these representations
- to articulate what you consider meaningful work for yourself in the contemporary era
- to express, build on, and argue your own perspectives through class discussions, visual- and text-mediated reflections.
Credits: 5
Schedule: 28.02.2022 - 30.03.2022
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Ines Simoes De Brito Peixoto, Eeva Houtbeckers, Tim Smith
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
During the course, preference given to Q&A within MyCourses
Contact before the course starts: eeva.houtbeckers@aalto.fi
- Contact after period of course sessions: ines.peixoto@aalto.fi
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
Do you enjoy watching films, movies and documentaries? Are you worried about the ways complex environmental problems are changing our environment and future?
In the course, we use films to tease out and construct the relations between work and the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene refers to industrial and capitalistic forms of wealth production that have caused profound changes in the ecosystems that support (human) life on the Earth. How have we entered, how do we exist, and how can we exit the Anthropocene? Answering these questions offers clues for eco-social change. We position films at the core of this course to scrutinize, question, construct, and make visible our agency as creative workers in this contemporary era.
The course has four main aims:
- First, we use films to illuminate the relationship between ecosystems and work, working life, and labour in the context of the Anthropocene.
- Second, we unpack how films portray and construct social reality with the support of theories from social sciences and environmental humanities.
- Third, we learn to examine and evaluate social developments related to work and the Anthropocene.
- Fourth, we develop creativity and reflexivity, and strengthen agency as workers, citizens, and members of ecosystems.
applies in this implementation
All details on course content are provided in the extended syllabus posted in the main course page.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
- Attendance of a minimum of 8 out of 11 course sessions (includes screenings, discussion/lecture, and workshop sessions)
- Handing in individual or group assignments - all assignments need pass grade
applies in this implementation
Course grading:
- Pass or Fail
Requirements for the “pass” grade:
Attendance of at least 8 out of 10 course sessions
Familiarize yourself with weekly course readings
Hand in all assignments with a “pass” grade
1 pre-assignment, 4 intermediate assignments, 1 final assignment
Active participation in the sessions and collective learning activities
NB! The correct total amount of course sessions is 10 sessions (not 11).
- Pass or Fail
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
Total working load: 5 ECTS x 27 hours = 135 hours
Contact teaching (30h) and independent work (105h)
Attendance of 8 out of 11 sessions is required.
applies in this implementation
Independent work: 105h, of which
Individual preparation before screening & discussion sessions (1-2 readings per week): 12h
Intermediate assignments: 22h
Final assignment: 71h (individual work)
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
- Selection of films related to course topics to be screened during class.
- Selection of readings in the fields of social sciences and environmental humanities (made available to students in advance).
- Supplementary materials provided in class to support and motivate reflection and creative thinking and help develop students assignments.
applies in this implementation
Weekly readings will be posted in MyCourses before the course begins.
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
1 No Poverty
2 Zero Hunger
3 Good Health and Well-being
6 Clean Water and Sanitation
7 Affordable and Clean Energy
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
13 Climate Action
14 Life Below Water
15 Life on Land
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
UWAS course selection criteria: Registration order is not the primary selection criteria for this course. In order to ensure that students from different programs and schools of Aalto University may take UWAS courses, the selection is also based on the variety of students' disciplines. Master's students are also welcome.
Teaching Period:
2020-2021 Spring IV
2021-2022 Spring IV
Course Homepage: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=UWAS-C0059
Registration for Courses: Sisu replaces Oodi on 9 August, 2021. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-in-aalto-arts
WebOodi
Details on the schedule
applies in this implementation
Please find the detailed schedule in the extended course syllabus on the main page.