International ecostudies - India (15 ECTS credits)
International Ecostudies India (15 credits)
India is an area of origin for a number of cultures of the northern hemisphere. Today the country is one of the world's most populated areas. It has an immensely rich culture with many different religions, languages and cultural expressions. The country has a rich nature, ranging from the mountainous Himalayas to the tropics of South India.
The course gives a general introduction to the nature, culture and a few environmental problems in India but will also provide the opportunity for more specialised individual or group studies. The course consists of general introductory literature studies, a mandatory field trip three weeks to India (in February-March) as well as an individual, written assignment presented at a final mandatory weekend seminar.
India has major environmental problems with croplands, water resources and industrialisation to name a few. The country also has major social problems with inequality between the classes, about 400 million people live in poverty. However India is also one of the world's fastest growing economies and the country appears increasingly as an emerging political world power.
Uttar Pradesh has the largest population of all states in India with about 190 million inhabitants. The Yamuna, a major tributary of the Ganges is crucial for supplying the population with both food and water. For Hindus it is also the most sacred river, Ganga-ji. Varanasi lies by the Ganges and is counted as the holiest city and place of pilgrimage for Hindus however it is also one of the world's oldest cities. Although Buddhism originated in these areas much of the population has been Muslim for centuries.
Participation in the field trip and the concluding seminar is mandatory. The field trip costs 13500 SEK (a registration fee is payable by the 15th of December of 6000 SEK), including visa, travel to and within India, accommodation, two meals a day (breakfast and main meal) for all but two days in India, entrance fees, etc.
The course is given with two orientations to choose from. The field trip is joint although with some division. The individual assignment must be within your chosen orientaton.
ECOPHILOSOPHY ORIENTATION application code 19412
This orientation gives an introduction to India's natural and cultural resources from an ecophilosophical perspective with a starting point generally in the northern parts and Varanasi and its surrounding area in particular. Questions about the view of humanity, nature, knowledge and morality are central, in particular the Hindu perspective is studied but also Buddhist, Sikh and Muslim perspective to some extent.
ENVIRONMENT CLIMATE ORIENTATION application code 19782
This course options is given in collaboration with the Center for Climate and Security. The study trip is common to both alternatives. The focus is primarily linked to the inividuella atbetet.
The orientation addresses Indias natural environment and culture from a climate and environmental perspective. Students will visit different areas in India focusing on the Ganges Valley and Varanasi, an area where issues of the future and the environment are challenging a head. It is a place where wealth and poverty continually meet.
A changing climate brings on the questions of democracy, demography, the use of resources and sustainable development mentioning a few which are essential for the country to adjust to climate change. India got acquainted with Western values through colonialism and the new development within technology and the economy will have profound implications for India's culture and society, and the conditions for adaptation to the prevailing environmental conditions and climate change.
For more information, please contact:
Pontus Ărtendahl, coordinator Ecophilosophy Orientation
0552-20086 pontus.ortendahl@kau.se
Max Hansson, coordinator Climate change in a national perspective
073-4606556 max.hansson@kau.se
Monica Paulsson, admissions and registration
054-7001210 monica.paulsson@kau.se
India is an area of origin for a number of cultures of the northern hemisphere. Today the country is one of the world's most populated areas. It has an immensely rich culture with many different religions, languages and cultural expressions. The country has a rich nature, ranging from the mountainous Himalayas to the tropics of South India.
The course gives a general introduction to the nature, culture and a few environmental problems in India but will also provide the opportunity for more specialised individual or group studies. The course consists of general introductory literature studies, a mandatory field trip three weeks to India (in February-March) as well as an individual, written assignment presented at a final mandatory weekend seminar.
India has major environmental problems with croplands, water resources and industrialisation to name a few. The country also has major social problems with inequality between the classes, about 400 million people live in poverty. However India is also one of the world's fastest growing economies and the country appears increasingly as an emerging political world power.
Uttar Pradesh has the largest population of all states in India with about 190 million inhabitants. The Yamuna, a major tributary of the Ganges is crucial for supplying the population with both food and water. For Hindus it is also the most sacred river, Ganga-ji. Varanasi lies by the Ganges and is counted as the holiest city and place of pilgrimage for Hindus however it is also one of the world's oldest cities. Although Buddhism originated in these areas much of the population has been Muslim for centuries.
Participation in the field trip and the concluding seminar is mandatory. The field trip costs 13500 SEK (a registration fee is payable by the 15th of December of 6000 SEK), including visa, travel to and within India, accommodation, two meals a day (breakfast and main meal) for all but two days in India, entrance fees, etc.
The course is given with two orientations to choose from. The field trip is joint although with some division. The individual assignment must be within your chosen orientaton.
ECOPHILOSOPHY ORIENTATION application code 19412
This orientation gives an introduction to India's natural and cultural resources from an ecophilosophical perspective with a starting point generally in the northern parts and Varanasi and its surrounding area in particular. Questions about the view of humanity, nature, knowledge and morality are central, in particular the Hindu perspective is studied but also Buddhist, Sikh and Muslim perspective to some extent.
ENVIRONMENT CLIMATE ORIENTATION application code 19782
This course options is given in collaboration with the Center for Climate and Security. The study trip is common to both alternatives. The focus is primarily linked to the inividuella atbetet.
The orientation addresses Indias natural environment and culture from a climate and environmental perspective. Students will visit different areas in India focusing on the Ganges Valley and Varanasi, an area where issues of the future and the environment are challenging a head. It is a place where wealth and poverty continually meet.
A changing climate brings on the questions of democracy, demography, the use of resources and sustainable development mentioning a few which are essential for the country to adjust to climate change. India got acquainted with Western values through colonialism and the new development within technology and the economy will have profound implications for India's culture and society, and the conditions for adaptation to the prevailing environmental conditions and climate change.
For more information, please contact:
Pontus Ărtendahl, coordinator Ecophilosophy Orientation
0552-20086 pontus.ortendahl@kau.se
Max Hansson, coordinator Climate change in a national perspective
073-4606556 max.hansson@kau.se
Monica Paulsson, admissions and registration
054-7001210 monica.paulsson@kau.se
- Education level: Undergraduate level
- Progressive specialisation: G1N (has only upperâsecondary level entry requirements) More about Progressive specialization.
- Admission requirements: General admission requirements plus upper secondary level English B
- Selection: Selection is usually based on your grade point average from upper secondary school or the number of credit points from previous university studies, or both.
The course begins:
| Term | Mode of study | Type of course | Application** | |
| Spring -13 | Distance | 50%, day | Closed | |
* The literature list may change before the start of the course.
** The online application service at antagning.se opens about one month before application deadline.
