Policy and governance of forests
Forests have an important function in future societies, especially for their ability to fulfil multiple objectives. The complexity of making forest management decisions is increasing, for example due to a diversity of policies and laws (e.g., climate, biodiversity) affecting forests, diversity of interests among public and private stakeholders, and multiple levels of legal instruments and policies - local, national, regional and global. For local communities, forests can have different values, and the loss and/or degradation of forests remains a major concern in local and national policies.
The national level of forest policy is usually linked to legal instruments and recommendations, while the international framework is usually based on norms of different origins at international, regional, and national levels.
Information from the course leader
Välkommen till kursen Policy och styrning av skogar
**Schema **
Schemat för kursen är preliminärt och kan komma att ändras fram till kursstart. Vanligen ändras inte obligatoriska moment och examinationer, detta sker endast i undantagsfall.
Det är viktigt att du närvarar vid kursintroduktionen för att få uppdaterad information om kursen, schema, kursmål och examinationer mm. Om du inte kan närvara är det viktigt att du går igenom materialet som finns på Canvas.
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Här nedan finns information som kan vara nyttig redan nu:
**Registrering på kurs **
Denna kurs har självregistrering. Självregistreringen öppnar 1 vecka innan kursstart. Information om hur du registrerar dig hittar du i manualen för Ladok Student på studentwebben.
**Kurslitteratur **
Kurslitteraturlistan hittar du på kurshemsidan. Notera att listan kan kompletteras med artiklar mm. fram till kursstart. Böcker och annat material som inte finns digitalt listas alltid på kurslitteraturlistan senast 8 veckor innan kursstart. Har du extra utbildningsstöd och behöver litteratur inläst, se instruktioner på studentswebben om hur du går till väga.
**Utbildningsstöd **
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**Avbrytande av en kurs **
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Tentor
Du måste anmäla dig till tentor i Ladok. Anmälan stänger 10 arbetsdagar före tentamen. Det är inte möjligt att anmäla sig till tentamen efter att deadline har gått ut.
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
SV0066 Policy and governance of forests, 7.5 Credits
Policy och styrning av skogarSubjects
Forestry ScienceEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Individual project work | 4.5 | 0001 |
| Seminar – oral reflection | 3.0 | 0002 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge corresponding to 120 credits including 15 credits in Forestry Sciences of which 7,5 credits in forestry science subarea Goals, Planning and Policy as well as English 6Objectives
The aim of the course is for the student to develop knowledge in key policy areas related to forests from an international perspective.
After completing the course, students are expected to be able to
- describe and analyse the international forest sector with focus on: economy, ecology, and social values.
- describe actors in international forest policy.
- identify, analyse, and evaluate international policy and legal frameworks affecting forests and forestry, including various sources of law, international agreements, voluntary frameworks (such as certification), and non-binding agreements.
- critically review and interpret, using international initiatives related to forests, the relationship of national law and policy with international law and policy.
- explain and apply theories of governance to forestry examples.
- demonstrate a good ability to argue relevant forest policy issues in speech and writing.
Content
The course aims to provide the student with a knowledge of theories and models of forest governance in an international perspective and together with creating an understanding of how international policy and law, processes and policy-based actors affect forests at the national level. At the international level, the focus is on relevant concepts in international policy and law and is related to the national forest sector. Important multilateral agreements related to forests are discussed, such as non-binding policy instruments, UN conventions (e.g. Paris Agreement, Convention on Biological Diversity), and other relevant international agreements (such as REDD+, FLEGT). Furthermore, other international collaborations related to forests are discussed, such as voluntary certifications like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The course also discusses market and non-market-based policy instruments, together with legal ones to understand how international policy and law affect forests at the national level.
Implementation:
The course is based on learning activities including e.g., lectures, case studies, seminars, guest lectures, oral presentations, and written assignments. Activities can be individual- or group-based.
The following elements are compulsory:
- Some lectures
- Seminars
Cooperation with the surrounding society takes place through
- External lectures
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Approved oral and written presentation of project work and completed compulsory elements.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
SLU is certified in accordance with PRIME-principles, Principles for Responsible Management Education (http://www.unprme.org/). Further, SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. A large part of our courses covers knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the triple bottom line, environmental social and financial value creation. To further strengthen this, we have specific sustainability goals for the education. Students are welcome to suggest actions regarding the course’s content and implementation that lead to sustainability improvements for the environment. For more information, see webpage www.slu.se.Responsible department
Department of Forest Economics