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.

Location and time

Virtual studies in March and April and May
Intensive course in St.Petersburg 12th-17th of May, 2019

Exam schedules

No exams but some essays and reports.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Online discussion -pass/to be completed

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Online studies, online research, visit to St.Petersburg (optional). Intensive course will be financed by FIRST+ grant.

Learning materials

Theoretical study material in on the net and available to the student on Moodle course pages. Theme Sustainability and Innovations.

Student workload

Online studies and reporting, and intensive week Sun-Fri (total 135h)

Content scheduling

The course is divided into three parts:
1. Theoretical studies on Sustainability
2. Intensive week in St.Petersburg
3. Final report writing

Completion alternatives

The course can only be passed by taking active part in virtual studies.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Working life partners on this course are Finnish or other international companies established in St.Petersburg.

International connections

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

Further information

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, does not know how 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.