Course syllabus - Circular Economy

Objectives

The course will contribute to the insight in all kinds of organisations, public and non-governmental, and their role and interplay with companies and consumers. Furthermore, as a result, the ideas, principles, and practices of Circular Economy could be transferred to the thinking and operations of companies and organisations, creating for them a competitive advantage, new growth and even job opportunities. 

The course will focus on how consumers, companies, public organizations, and voluntary non-profit organizations look at the resources, and how new business models are being set up within a circular economy, and finally, how digital technology may be used as a tool to close the loop and manage resources (material or energy) more efficiently. These organizations represent different sectors and industries in society, both the profit, non-profit, as well as the public sector.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of the course the students should be able to:

1. Familiarise him/herself with circular economy concepts and their relation to digitalisation. 
2. Apply perspectives from the circular economy theories to investigate the opportunities and hindrances for a sustainable future. 
3. Raise the level of awareness among students of what sustainability means in practice, through training and assessment of the best practices. 
4. Challenge the students to critically rethink current business models and consumption. 
5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the complex relation between economy, technology, and society, between digitalization, environment and development on local, national and global level. 
6. Critically analyse and evaluate information from the different sources in relation to the circular economy. 
7. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the circular economy and resource management for businesses, as well as for public and non-profit organizations in the changing international society. 
8. Demonstrate an understanding and awareness about culture and communication between people from different backgrounds. 
9. Carry out assigned project tasks within a limited period and according to the high academic standards. 
10. Orally (virtual or on site) and in writing, present and discuss conclusions in relation to the knowledge and arguments they are based upon. 
11. Communicate and in practice cooperate with different involved stakeholders.

Course content

Within this course, students are expected to analyse companies that have created or implemented innovations in the circular economy to improve their environmental performance or resource effectiveness (eco-effectiveness is about quality and performance improvements, apart from eco-efficiency which is limited to minimising negative impacts) in the society, for example in view of the cradle-2-cradle innovation model and the 7Rs. These innovations are not only products, but also new (digital) service concepts and business models that strive to achieve a much higher level of resource co-utilization and eco-effectiveness in business than traditional, linear solutions. This complex and interconnected field will be studied and critically discussed during the course.

Tuition

Teaching methods consist of independent studies, seminars, and supervision. During the intensive period students will participate in lectures, group work, study visits and carry out presentations and written examinations.

Specific requirements

Business Administration 60 credits with progression, whereof 45 credits must be completed by course start. Of these 30 credits must be on level G1N and 15 credits must be on level G1F. In addition English course B/6 is required.

Examination

GRU1: 3credits (written group work - country report), Grades A-F, learning outcomes 1-7 + 9 + 11
GRU2: 3credits (written group work - intensive week report), Grades A-F, learning outcomes 1-9 + 11
SEM1: 1.5credits (presentations and peer review), Grades A-F, learning outcomes 8 + 10 + 11

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Excellent, Very good, Good, Satisfactory, Sufficient, Insufficient, complementary work possible, Insufficient

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

This course is only offered within the NORDPLUS network and the course is only announced internally to students within Business Administration, who fulfil the pre-requisites of the course.