Project Course on Russia or Eastern European Country (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The aim of the course is to give the participating students insight on Russia or on an Eastern European Country from a special point of view (management, marketing, culture etc). The course is implemented through a project work in cooperation with companies with background studies on the chosen theme. These theoretical studies are done mostly online . The exact aims and contents of the course will be specified each year separately.

Exam schedules

To be announced on Tabula, online quizzes/exams.

Evaluation methods and criteria

30 % 3 Quizzes (each quiz must be passed), 30 % 2 Presentations, 40 % Research work, Online discussion -pass/to be completed

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Online studies, online research, workshops, visit to St.Petersburg (optional)

Learning materials

Theoretical study material in on the net and available to the student on Tabula course pages. This year the special theme is Managing Cultural Diversity.

Student workload

16 h face-to-face days, 40 h analysis and reporting, 79 h online studies.

Content scheduling

The course is divided into three parts:
1. Theoretical studies on Cultural Diversity Management (10.2.-2.4.2017)
2. Intensive week in St.Petersburg, data collection (2.-7.4.2017)
3. Final analysis and report writing (28.4.2017)

Completion alternatives

The course can only be passed by taking active part in cooperation as most of the work is done in small groups.
If the student does not pass the course in compliance with the assessment plan drafted together with the students at the beginning of the course, she/he can show her/his skills and knowledge by a portfolio. The same method will be used also in case a student wishes to upgrade the final assessment.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Working life partners on this course are Finnish or other international companies established in St.Petersburg.
Names to be announced later.

International connections

Cooperation with North-West Institute of Management in St.Petersburg and Helsinki University/Aleksanteri Institute.

Further information

Start-up day (10th of February, 2016), workshop-day (to be agreed with students)(both in Tampere) and closing day 21st of April, 2017) in Helsinki.
6-day visit to St.Petersburg April 2nd – April 7th, 2017 (optional, grant from TAMK for 10 students--> pls see below). Mainly online learning.
Course is implemented together with Aleksanteri Institute/Helsinki University.
Students participating in the visit to St.Petersburg will get one extra 1 cr.
Travel expenses from Tikkurila to St.Petersburg as well as insurance, visa and accommodation will be paid by FIRST-grant ( the student pays part of sustenance costs) by a grant for short-time exchange from TAMK.
Please note that visa-application for Russia for outside EU students might be challenging.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Participates, but fulfills only part of the appointed tasks. Submits tasks often late. Passive participation in group work, does not know now to work in teams.
Skills in information sourcing need improvement. Dependent on help from others in doing research. Knowledge of the theoretical background of researched area is weak, which is demonstrated in difficulty to join in group discussions concerning a professional topic on the area and writing the report. Uses only few sources (1-2) of information in the text, and has serious problems in using referencing in the report text. Creates none or only one new contact within her/his own group

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Submits the given tasks on-time. Quality of work is good. Works in a group supporting the others and sometimes makes suggestions concerning the improvement of the work or the process of the research work. Is an active member of the group.
Is able to do a qualitative research project, but need some support. Is able to join in a professional discussion concerning the theoretical background of research area, and write logical and concise text in the report. Has some problems with referencing, and uses a limited number of sources of information in writing the report text. Creates new contacts within his/her own group.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Always submits tasks on time. Quality of work is excellent and covers the areas agreed on or even more. If necessary agrees to act as a leader of the group. Takes care that work of the group always proceeds on schedule, coordinates the group's work and supports others.
Is able to do a qualitative research project relatively independently. Is fluent and professional in discussing the research area and the report text produced is fluent, concise, to-the-point and versatile. Uses several sources of information in writing the report text, and knows how to use referencing. Creates a large network of new contacts including students and companies.