Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

In this course, the participants familiarize themselves with the environmental, economic, and technical elements related to the circular economy (CE) value chains. They understand the role of different stakeholders, decision-making processes, and communication in the development work. The students explore both possibilities and barriers and risks involved in the development of circular economy value chains. Participants innovate value creation related to consumer's role and engagement in CE value chain.

After completing the course, the participants can:
- describe important elements, processes, and stakeholders in the development of CE value chains
- explain the opportunities, barriers, and risks in CE value chain development
- adopt the consumer-centered approach in development
- innovate consumer engagement activities in value creation

Content (course unit)

Basics of materials, design, manufacturing, residue management and valorization as well as logistics, sorting and recycling systems in CE value chain
Stakeholders and decision making
Customer’s role and engagement in CE development

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student can name and define elements, processes, and actors of the circular economy value chain. The student recognizes the barriers and risks in the CE value chain development. The student can, with the help of others, solve assigned tasks. The student gives and receives feedback but considers and assesses things only from his/her own point of view, without being able to generalize and contextualize. Commitment to collaborative innovation process and understanding about customer’s role in the CE value chain is limited.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student can explain elements, processes, and actors of the circular economy value chain and compare different value chains. The student understands the barriers and risks in the CE value chain development and can suggest improvements. The student can select the most appropriate courses of actions from diverse options and justify his/her choice. The student can give and receive feedback actively and constructively and is able to generalize and conceptualize his/her views. Commitment to collaborative innovation process and understanding about customer’s role in the CE value chain is clear.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student can analyze and generalize elements, processes, and actors of the circular economy value chain and relate to the professional context. The student understands the barriers and risks in the CE value chain development and understands extensive entities and relations between them. The student can search for diverse courses of action and solution alternatives, justify his/her choices and try new ones. The student uses feedback systematically as a professional tool for growth in his/her own work and for the benefit of the community. The student has an active and facilitative role in the innovation process and understanding about customer’s role in the CE value chain.

Location and time

Participation in intensive weeks and online lectures is mandatory. Students agree together the time and platform of student group meetings. The student chooses place and time for personal distant learning. Every task and assignment have a deadline which must be respected (further details in course moodle) and participate actively during the course to get the best results and learning experience.

Exam schedules

There are no exams during this course, the assessment is based on active participation, individual and group assignments.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Workshops, online meetings and lectures, group and individual assignments

Learning materials

All learning materials are distributed via the course moodle. The student is strongly recommended to find complementary learning material and share it with the others.

Student workload

The student is expected to do an individual study plan for the course to be able to complete the course within the target time.

Content scheduling

Active period of the course is November 2023 - January 2024. The assignments have deadlines which will be informed in course moodle.

Completion alternatives

There are no alternative ways to complete the course.

Practical training and working life cooperation

The student is encouraged to bring working life and personal experience in all its forms to be shared with others.