Fjord Heritage. Nature Conservation and Cultural Heritage of Western Norway

International one semester English taught course. The course is primarily outlined for foreign students wishing a study period in Norway. There is no tuition fee, but students schould be prepared to cover excursion fees and expences during the placement, if applicable.

The 30 ECTS programme can be integrated in different bachelor degrees at universities in Norway or abroad. Part of the programme is compulsary in the bachelor progamme Landscape planning at HSF

The target group is primarily international Bachelor students who wish to take an education unit in Norway. This also includes students within the European Erasmus exchange programme and Norwegian students. The programme is espesially suited for students in the fields of geography, planning, environmental sciences and tourism.

Part of the programme is compulsary in the bachelor progamme Landscape planning at HSF.

The main objective is to give an understanding of the ideas and the challenges involved in conservation of nature and cultural landscape and heritage. Further to give an insight into the development of the cultural landscapes in Norway, the state of the art of the norwegian policy regarding nature conservation and cultural heritage. Finally to give an understanding of how the natural and cultural heritage can be a resource in economic development.

It is recommended that students have passed at least 1,5 years (90 ECTS credits) of a Bachelor degree at the time of application. Study background should include courses within biology, ecology, environmental sciences or physical geography. Graduate students should contact the course coordinator prior to application.

The course consists of three modules, each lasting 6 weeks, including excursions. During the lat module the students will be placed in national parks, other protected areas, outdoor museums, or visitor centres. Students should be prepared to cover excursion fees and expenses during the placement, if applicable.

MODULE I: CULTURAL LANDSCAPES AND HERITAGE (10 ECTS)

• The historical development of cultural landscapes in an European context (agrarian history, archaeology, vegetation ecology).
• The relationship between vegetation and traditional agriculture in western Norway.
• The cultural landscape as a resources (agriculture and tourism etc.)

MODULE II: NATURE CONSERVATION (10 ECTS)

• The development of nature conservation in an international perspective
• The nature conservation policy in Norway: laws, planning processes, and management of protected species and areas.
• The conflicting values and interests involved in nature conservation.
• Excursions to national parks and other protected areas in the Sognefjord region.

MODULE III: PLACEMENT/ CASE STUDY(10 ECTS)

• Placement including case study within nature conservation or cultural landscpae and heritage.
• Placement areas: National parks, visitor centres, outdoor museums, protected cultural landscapes

Module I and II: Lectures, exercises, excursions.

Module III: Participation in ordinary work in national parks, protected cultural landscape, visitors sentre, outdoor museum. Field work, Written report.

MODULE III: PLACEMENT/ CASE STUDY(10 ECTS)

Placement including case study within nature conservation or cultural landscape and heritage. Placement areas: National parks, visitor centres, outdoor museums, protected cultural landscapes according to the students own interests. The students will be expected to take part in ordinary work at the area of placement as well as doing own field word and write a report.

See the different modules

See the different modules

See the different modules