Environmental Ethics: Philosophy, Natural Resources and Indigenous People
| Study location | Finland, Helsinki |
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| Type | Short duration course, short course |
| Nominal duration | 4–20 Aug 2020 (5 ECTS) |
| Study language | English |
| Tuition fee |
EARLY BIRD prices valid until 28 February 2020 |
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| Entry qualification | A minimum of 2 years of university-level studies is required for all courses. See course-specific requirements below >> target students. |
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| Language requirements | English All courses are taught in English. Although applicants are not required to present an official certificate of language proficiency, all students must be fluent in English. A good command of English is necessary for completing the course (following teaching, participating in classroom discussions, writing essays) as well as managing day-to-day matters in Finland. An applicant can be rejected if his/her level of English is not deemed equivalent to the standards. |
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| Other requirements | A motivation letter must be added to your application. Please tell us about your academic goals and why you would like to attend Helsinki Summer School and the course you have applied for. For example: Why is this course important to your studies or to your future career? How do you satisfy the course requirements? Please note that plagiarism is strictly forbidden at the University of Helsinki. Any applicant caught of plagiarism will be automatically rejected. |
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| More information |
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Overview
Synopsis
This course proposes an overview on Environmental Ethics as a philosophical discipline, progressing from philosophical theories to the analysis of environmental case studies. It aims to raise awareness about the fundamental and ethical role of the natural environment in our lives. This year the course will particularly emphasise presentations skills and discussions in class as a learning basis, together with the teachers’ lectures.
The theoretical part of the course introduces traditional philosophical ethical theories and concepts, whereas a more practical section presents real case studies and ethical notions from different standpoints. Some of the case studies take into account Indigenous peoples’ perspectives and their worldview as a minority group.
Why is ethics, then, important to solve global challenges and understand conflicts and why should ethics be part of policy-making processes? In an attempt to answer such questions, this course will examine ethical concepts – such as Anthropocene, anthropocentric and non-anthropocentric ethics, intrinsic and instrumental value, Indigenous culture and way of life, possible origins of the ecological crises and concern for future generations – together with different types of Environmental Ethics theories. These include Deep Ecology, Utilitarianism, Gaia Hypothesis, Aristotelian Virtue Ethics, Deontological Ethics, Ecofeminism, Land Ethics, Teleological stewardship, Social Ecology and Animal Rights.
The relevance of different ethical theories will be tested in light of up-to-date case studies about natural disasters and environmental accidents. Examples of case studies are: the struggle to protect natural resources by Sami Indigenous people in the European High North, the North Dakota oil pipeline construction (2016–2017) near Indigenous lands; the unfair polluting policy of TEXACO (now Chevron) in the Ecuadorian Amazon; and the Water Wars in Bolivia and others.
Target students
This is an introductory course on environmental ethics and it is conceived for students who are interested in environmental and ethical issues. It is intended for Bachelor’s and first-year Master’s students of humanities, social sciences, environmental studies, political sciences and economics. Previous studies in philosophy and/or in ethics may be helpful but are not required. (Doctoral students and philosophy students interested in the course are also welcome but please contact the course coordinator Corinna Casi by e-mail beforehand in order to check if the course fits your case.).
Coordinators
Corinna Casi corinna.casi@helsinki.fi
You may contact the course coordinators with questions concerning the course content.
With any other questions concerning Helsinki Summer School or the application process, please contact summerschool@helsinki.fi.