Virtual studies

Barents Specialists virtual studies consists nine various virtual courses from the sectors of the project. Testing of the virtual studies is now going on. First test run started at 4th of February and all of the testing of courses will be done this spring.

Technical information

Courses will be tested in Kemi-Tornio University of Applied Sciences moodle environment http://moodle.tokem.fi. Moodle is open source e-learning environment. You can learn more about this environment from www.moodle.org or logging in to Kemi-Tornio University of Applied Sciences’s server http://moodle.tokem.fi and under “all courses-muut-moodle for teachers”. When using moodle environment, you should use Internet explorer 6 -web browser.

Technical assistance

People should turn on to local IT-persons in need of help. While testing courses, they should turn on to course IT-representative.

The Barents specialists network welcomes you to the virtual course catalogue

Teachers and specialists in the project from fifteen educational institutions in three countries, Finland, Russia and Norway, have created these virtual courses. The courses were produced by international teams combining the knowledge and expertise of each country for the benefit of the students.

The Barents specialists course catalogue contains nine courses. The language of the courses is English. The courses are intended for all the degree students in the educational institutions that are members of the Barents specialists project. These institutions are: Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic, Rovaniemi Polytechnic and University of Lapland from Finland; Murmansk State Pedagogical University, Murmansk State Technical University, Murmansk Humanities Institute, Murmansk Medical College, Arkhangelsk State Technical University, Pomor State University, Northern State Medical University, Khibiny Technical College and Kola Medical College from Russia; Finnmark University College from Norway and Luleå University of Technology and Association for Higher education of Eastern Norrbotten in Sweden. Each institution is responsible for the courses and for the credit transfer in the institution.

In this course catalogue you will find information about the Barents specialists Virtual Studies programme, including the study requirements, course contents and practical information.

LEARN ABOUT YOUR REGION AND JOIN THE BARENTS EXPERTS-FOR YOUR FUTURE!

The Barents Specialists network

The Barents specialists network is an umbrella that brings together educational institutions, teachers, researchers, students and other interested people from four countries: Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the State Provincial Office of Lapland and the State of Norway. More information on: Barents Specialists.

A long-term objective is to create permanent competence on Russia and the Barents region on the part of the partner institutions. This is done by creating a Specialists and Researchers Network.

Barents specialists cooperate in two networks and in four sectors: the specialists and researchers networks and the business, nature & tourism, health & social and sports & leisure sectors.

The Barents specialists network builds permanent competence in the Barents region by strengthening the knowledge of the region and disseminating it by conducting a Virtual Studies Programme on the web (30 ECTS). The programme offers students opportunities to learn about their neighbouring areas through interaction with other students and professors, and provides students with relevant education and experience for future employment in the Barents region.

Let this leaflet introduce you to the programme!

The virtual studies programme

The Barents specialists virtual studies programme contains altogether 30 ECTS of virtual studies targeted to all degree students at the Barents specialists’ institutions in the Barents region. The main fields of study are: business, society & health and nature & tourism. There will also be face-to-face seminars offered to the students who participate successfully in the programme in order to consolidate the knowledge acquired in the studies. Similar seminars will be organized in each participating country. The Barents specialists’ virtual courses offer you a unique opportunity to learn about the area, peoples and issues in the Barents region!

Courses

BUSINESS SECTOR (12 ECTS)

  • BSEL1001, Characteristics of the economy in the Barents region (3 ECTS)
  • BSEL1002 Business culture in the Barents region (3 ECTS)
  • BSEL1003 Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) and trade in the Barents region (3 ECTS)
  • BSEL1004 Business legislation in the Barents region (3 ECTS)

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SECTOR (10,5 ECTS)

  • BSEL2001 Public health and social welfare in the Barents region (3,5 ECTS)
  • BSEL2002, Aspects and promotion of wellbeing for vulnerable groups in the Barents region (5 ECTS)
  • BSEL2003, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the wellbeing of people in the Barents region (2 ECTS)

NATURE AND TOURISM SECTOR (7,5 ECTS):

  • BSEL3001 The Barents region as a tourism area (4 ECTS)
  • BSEL3002 Sustainability and tourism in the Barents region (3,5 ECTS)

Course descriptions

BUSINESS SECTOR (12 ECTS)

BSEL1001 Characteristics of the economy in the Barents region (3 ECTS)

Aim:
The aim of the course is to give to students a description of the economy in the Barents region today, its problems and prospects of development, in order to prepare students for the other more specific courses, to encourage them to think about and discuss different economic problems. The objective is to describe the territory, the population, the resources, the industry, and the investment climate in the Barents region at the present moment and to discuss problems and prospects of economic development in the Barents region.

Content:
The structure of the course resembles a Barents region business context clock. This means that it consists of 12 chapters – 11 information chapters and one task chapter. The information chapters are arranged in a very logical way – from geography, population and natural resources, which evolve slowly, to investments and future challenges, which are dynamic.

Assessment:
First, students have to read, study and analyze articles, references and statistics by themselves. Then they are asked to give their opinion concerning the problems that are mentioned in the “assignments” in chapter 12. The paper should be 8-10 pages in length.

Other information:
The course is fact and problem-based. In order to follow this approach the course will be supported by maps, graphs, diagrams, pictures, articles and other reading materials. Case studies and problems for discussion will be an integral part of the course.

Course tutor: Ludmila Kurazhova, Pomor State University
Participants in the team: Svetlana Petrova, Irina Sivobrova, Ketil Hanssen and Esa Jauhola

BSEL1002 Business culture in the Barents region (3 ECTS)

Aim:
The aims are to sensitize the students to the intercultural differences and similarities in the Barents business environment as regards Russia and Finland, to encourage them to adapt accordingly and to help them understand and appreciate the issues involved in intercultural interaction in the Barents region.

Content:
The course consists of

  • a general theory of culture and business culture
  • a description of the characteristics of national cultures, business cultures and organizational cultures in Russia and Finland
  • articles to be read before each session with written assignments for discussion during the sessions
  • cultural awareness exercises by means of case studies
  • together with group project work to be reported orally and in writing

Reading

  • Geert Hofstede: Culture, software of mind
  • Geert Hofstede: Cultures and Organisations
  • Fred E. Jandt: An Introduction to Intercultural Communication
  • Nigel J. Holden: Cross-Cultural Management – A knowledge of Management Perspective
  • Richard D. Lewis: When Cultures Collide
  • Hytönen-Mikluha: Successful Management in Russia

Assessment:
The assessment will be carried out taking into consideration the thoroughness of the preparation of the cross-cultural discussions, the degree of active participation in the international teams and the quality of the team assignments, which must be submitted before the deadline.

Course tutor: Outi Kivirinta, Rovaniemi Polytechnic
Participants in the team: Maria Zhuravkova, Eeva-Kaarina Kari and Hans Zwaga

BSEL1003 Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) and trade in the Barents region (3 ECTS)

Aim:
The general goal of the course is to familiarize the students
with small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) and trade in the
Barents region and to increase their awareness of the importance of
SME’s for national economies as well as the contribution of SMEs to the development of the Barents region. The end result can be the creation of new SMEs and a forecast of their success.

Assessment:
Students will be monitored by

  • communication between the students and the tutor during the course
  • e-assignments/e-exercises/e-exams
  • e-networking/videoconferencing
  • e- Personal Learning Diary (PLD)
  • final thesis work supervision

Other information:
Based on supporting companies (information suppliers for
support links, materials, case-studies etc.) assignments can be developed that contribute to problem solving for
these companies; “real-life situations” for the students to study, thereby strengthening the links between the industry/service sector and the educational institutions.

Course tutor:
Hans Zwaga, Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic
Participants in the team: Taisto Arkko, Mikhail Y. Varakin,Yan Turov and Anatoly Belyajev

BSEL1004 Business Legislation in the Barents region (3 ECTS)

Aim:
The aims are to give students an introduction to legal thinking regarding trade between the four countries of the Barents region, the significance of legal order and the different kinds of legal systems; to provide a basic understanding of the legal terms in the four countries, and to give students an introduction to the differences in company law and contract law, accounting and taxation. The aim is also to familiarize the students with the requirements of the European Union.

Through case studies the students are required to solve the practical questions they will face when trading with the other countries in the Barents region.

Content:

  • Formation of an enterprise
  • Business legislation
  • Taxation
  • Accounting and finance
  • Profit distribution
  • Customs regulations
  • Contracts
  • Employment regulation
Assessment: Two assignments

Reading:

  • Nystén-Haarala Soili: Russian Law in Transition. Law and Institutional Change.Kikimora Publications, Series B:21 Helsinki 2001. Gummerus Printing.
  • Tolonen Juha – Topornin Boris: Legal Foundations of Russian Economy. Kikimora Publications, Series B:14 Helsinki 2000. Gummerus Kirjapaino, Saarijärvi 2000.
  • Pöyhönen Juha (ed.): An Introduction to Finnish Law. Kauppakaari. Finnish Lawyers’ Publishing. Helsinki 2002.
  • www.nutek.se

Course tutor: Esa Jauhola, Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic
Participants in the team: Andrey Nikolaev, Pirjo Lammi and Lahja Karjalainen

HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECTOR (10,5 ECTS)

BSEL2001 Public health and social welfare in the Barents region (3,5 ECTS)

Aim:
This course aims to provide students with information about public health and social welfare, so that they develop their understanding of the people living, or intending to settle down, in the Barents region. Any polytechnic student can take this module as part of his/her studies, and this module aims at enhancing the mutual understanding between professionals and their clients coming from different social, ethnic, national and regional backgrounds.

Content:
1.Aspects of healthcare and social work
1.1.Main concepts and definitions
1.2.Main demographic facts and changes
2.Public healthcare and social welfare in the Barents Region
3. Requirements for social and healthcare personnel and institutes providing higher vocational education in social work and healthcare in the Barents Region

Reading:

  • Barents Specialists project: Research, Education and Environment on the Barents Region. Papers presented at a seminar in Murmansk 13-14, June 2003.

WWW-pages:



  • Barents Region general background information

  • Norway

  • Finland

  • Sweden

  • “Russia”: World Health Organisation Information material on the http://www.samediggi.se
    http://www.samediggi.fi
    http://www.samediggi.no

    Assessment:
    Pass-Fail, based on the individual assignment criteria
    Course tutors: Eva Schjetne (Finnmark University College, Norway) and Tuula Sykkö (Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic, Finland)
    Participants in the team: Andrey Soloviev, Lioubov Manaeva, Natalia Roumiantseva, Sirkka Havela and Rauni Räty (as an expert)

    BSEL2002 Aspects of wellbeing for vulnerable groups in the Barents region (5 ECTS)

    Aim:
    Students should learn to: – recognize the similarities and differences in the Barents region in their future work – develop an understanding of foreigners when meeting them in the course of their work – acquire knowledge of the living conditions of vulnerable groups in the Barents region – be advocates for vulnerable groups

    Content:
    Three main sub themes:
    1. Introduction to the vulnerable groups. – What and who are they – Differences and similarities – Literature and data links – Study tasks
    2. Well-being of the vulnerable groups. – What is their situation today? – Differences and similarities – Literature and data links – Study tasks
    3. Visions of the future for vulnerable groups. – National and global processes; developing new knowledge – Attitudes towards groups; ethics – Humanistic aspects and philosophy – Literature and data links – Study tasks

    Course tutor:
    Ingrid Immonen, Finnmark University College
    Participants in the team: Anne Kokko, Paula Poikela, Maria Lvova, Inna Ryzhkova, Elena Shovina, Tatyana Tolmacheva, Maila Haltia and Elena Goloubeva

    *BSEL2003 Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the
    wellbeing of people in the Barents region (2 ECTS)    *

    Aim:
    Students will
    -get an overall picture of the non-governmental organizations (=NGOs) in the Barents Region, from a historical point of view as well as in the present day
    -obtain an understanding of the significance of NGOs for the wellbeing of the people of the Barents Region
    -become familiar with the daily work of a social and health sector NGO

    Content:
    1. General information about NGOs in the Barents Region: concepts, classifications, legislation
    2. NGOs in the changing operational environment in the Barents Region
    2.1. NGOs in Finland
    2.2. NGOs in Russia
    2.3. NGOs in Norway
    3. Assignment

    Reading:
    In English:
    Barents Specialists 2004: Research, Education and Environment in the Barents Region.
    www-pages of Russian NGOs:
    http://www.owl.ru/eng/women/aiwo/murman.htm
    http://www.owl.ru/eng/women/index.htm
    http://www.owl.ru/index_e.htm
    http://www.wpress.murmansk.org.ru
    Salamon, Lester M. & Helmut K. Anheier, 1996. The International Classification of Nonprofit Organizations: ICNPO-Revision 1 in
    Helander, Voitto & Susan Sundback, 1998. Defining the Nonprofit Sector :Finland in
    Lundström, Tommy & Filip Wijkström, 1995. Defining the Nonprofit Sector: Sweden in
    Salamon, Lester M. & Wojciech Sokolowski, 2001. Volunteering in Cross-National Perspective: Evidence from 24 Countries

    In Finnish, in English and in Swedish:
    www-pages of a few Finnish social and health sector NGOs and other associations:
    http://www.vaestoliitto.fi/
    http://www.lskl.fi/
    http://www.reumaliitto.fi/
    http://www.invalidiliitto.fi
    http://www.kehitysvammaliitto.fi
    http://www.vanhustyonkeskusliitto.fi/
    http://www.redcross.fi/
    http://www.kansalaisareena.fi/vapaaehtoistoiminta.htm
    http://www.kansalaisareena.fi/esittely/english.htm
    http://www.cev.be

    In Finnish:
    Harju, Aaro, 2003. Yhteisellä asialla. Kansalaistoiminta ja sen haasteet. Kansanvalistusseura, Vantaa.
    Helander, Voitto & Harri Laaksonen, 1999. Suomalainen kolmas sektori. Rakenteellinen erittely ja kansainvälinen vertailu. Sosiaali- ja terveysturvan keskusliitto, Helsinki.
    Hänninen, Kangas, Siisiäinen 2003: Mitä yhdistykset välittävät
    Niemi, Dufva 2003: Hyvinvoinnin arjen asiantuntijat
    Poteri 1998: Meissä on ytyä!
    Heikkala 2001. Järjestön strategia
    Ilmonen 2002: Sosiaalinen pääoma ja luottamus
    Hyvinvointikatsaus 1/ 2000

    Assessment: Pass-fail
    Course tutor: Eila Heikkinen, Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic
    Participants in the team: Elena Matveeva, Eliisa Kursula

    NATURE AND TOURISM SECTOR (7,5 ECTS)

    BSEL3001 The Barents region as a tourism area (4 ECTS)

    Aim:

    Students will


    • become familiar with the Barents region and the tourism industry in the area
    • examine the prospects of future tourism development in the Barents region
    • take into consideration the challenges of cross-border tourism

    Content:
    1. The Barents region
    1.1 What is the Barents Region? Map of the Barents region
    1.2. What makes BEAR a region?
    1.3 Characteristics of the Barents region
    1.4 Assignment
    1.5 Test

    Notes: 25 pages to read

    2. Tourism strategies in the Barents region
    2.1 Tourism strategies in the Barents region
    2.2 Possibilities for developing tourism in the Barents region
    2.3 Challenges in the development of tourism in the Barents region
    2.4 Assignment (4 strategies)
    2.5 Discussion (+3 or more written pages)

    Notes: about 100 pages to read

    3. Tourism attractions in the Barents region
    3.1 Tourism resources
    3.2 Tourism attractions in BEAR
    3.3 Assignment (case study)
    3.4 Assignment (planning a trip)
    3.5 Workshop (feedback) evaluation

    4. Evaluation of the course

    Recommended reading:

    1. Castberg, Rune, Olav Schram Stokke & Willy Østreng 1994. The Dynamics of the Barents Region.
    2. I Stokke, Olav Schram & O. Tunander (red.), The Barents region. Cooperation in Artic Europe. London, s. 71-83
    3. “Travel Geography” by Rosemary Burton
    4. “The business of Tour Operations” by Pat Yale
    5. “The tourism phenomenon: past, present, future?” by Ton van Egmond
    6. www.barents.no
    7. www.beac.st
    8. www.lapinliitto.fi
    9. www.ffk.no/documenter/fyl-plan02-05.pdf
    10. www.visitnorthcape.com
    11. www.laplandfinland.com
    12. www.murmantourism.ru
    13. www.sami-siida.no
    14. www.alta-friluftspark.no
    15. www.hurtigruten.com
    16. www.whalesafari.com
    17. www.snowcastle.net
    18. www.ranuazoo.com
    19. www.arcticsafaris.fi
    20. www.arktikum.fi
    21. www.santapark.fi
    22. www.kargopol.ru
    23. www.solovky.ru
    24. www.golubino.nm.ru

    Course tutor:
    Tatyana Khudyakova, Pomor State University
    Participants in the team: Eija Raasakka, Kjell Olsen, Annikki Pulkkinen and Alexey Cherenkov
    BSEL3002 Sustainability and Barents region tourism (3,5 ECTS)

    Prerequisites:
    Recommended: “Barents region as a tourism area” (BSEL3001)

    Aim:
    The objectives of this course are:
    -to give the student some basic knowledge about sustainability concepts and arguments
    -to give the student further knowledge of the problems of sustainable development, nature and societies in the Barents region
    -to give the student some examples of nature based tourism in the region,
    so that the student will be able to analyze how tourism can contribute to sustainable development in the region.

    Content:
    Structure of the course:

    1. Tourism and sustainability in the Barents region: Introduction
    1.1. The concept of sustainable development
    1.2. The problems of sustainable development
    1.3. Vulnerable ecosystems in the BEAR regions from a biological point of view
    1.4. Environmental issues and problems in the region
    1.5. Sustainable societies of the north
    2. Sustainable development and nature based tourism in the north
    2.1. Hunting
    2.2. Bird watching
    2.3. Whale watching
    2.4. Sport fishing

    Reading:
    John Swarbrooke 1999. Sustainable tourism management. London:
    CABI
    NN (ed) 1991. Arctic ecosystems in a changing climate.
    NN and MM 2001. The Arctic Nuclear Challenge. Bellona.
    Articles

    Assessment:
    The student must contribute to all forum activities to get a
    certificate.

    Grading: The student chooses two tasks that will be graded by marks. Or: the teacher chooses two tasks that will be graded by marks. Grades will be entered in the certificate.

    Course tutor: Ola Sletvold, Finnmark University College
    Participants in the team: Jussi Soppela and Natalia Vasilevskaya