Print Syllabus

Syllabus

SV0003 Forest policy and legislation in Sweden, 7.5 Credits

Skogspolicy och lagar i Sverige

Subjects

Forestry Science Sustainable Development

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Policy	4.0	0102
Law	3.5	0103

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G1N)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

Basic eligibility for university studies

Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide knowledge and skills in analyzing and discussing legal and economic instruments for sustainable forest management, as well as provide basic knowledge in law and policy with special emphasis on the interactions between society and ecosystems - especially forests.

After completing the course, the student should be able to

• explain Swedish forest policy history

• describe and discuss the design of Swedish forest policy and the relationship between forest policy and other related policy areas (eg environmental, energy, and climate policy), and apply to forestry problems from a social, economic and environmental perspective

• apply Swedish forest legislation and other related legislation (eg environmental, energy, and climate legislation) in forestry problems from a social, economic and environmental perspective

• explain and discuss the concept of sustainable development, using social, economic and environmental dimensions and related to forest policy problems

• identify and problematize stakeholder groups that influence forest policy development both nationally and internationally

• explain how international policy affects Swedish forest policy

• identify and analyze which structures and processes (such as certification systems) affect Swedish forest policy actors

• orally present and argue about current problems in forest policy and forest legislation.

Content

This course provides a basis for analysis of how different actors and stakeholders and processes in society affect forest use from a sustainability perspective and how different measures and strategies are designed for the forest landscape. Lectures and seminars provide the basics of sustainable development, policy and law that affect the forest together with related policy areas such as environmental, energy and climate policy with special emphasis on the interactions between these areas. The course touches on the ecological, economic and social aspects of the forest, and is based on sustainable development and sustainability goals, to then deepen analyzes and discussion of the need for political and economic governance, such as efficiency aspects of various political and legal instruments as balances between the forest’s different goals and multi-use. The course also includes general legal knowledge and legal methods with an overview of the legal sources used in solving legal problems. The course also includes the international actors who can influence Swedish forest policy, such as EU regulations and UN recommendations. Voluntary processes (such as certification) are also analyzed and discussed within the course. Through workshops and case studies, as well as study visits / guest lectures, the student can deepen their knowledge of forest use and the roles of different actors in forestry and develop their ability to identify and analyze different structures’ impact on individual forest owners together with the opportunities and limitations of Swedish forest policy. policy provides in terms of legislation, strategies, and recommendations. Workshops and seminars also contribute to developing students’ ability to present and argue about current problems. Mandatory elements in the course are active participation in study visits / guest lectures, seminars and workshops.

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

Passed exam, approved assignments and completed mandatory 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

The syllabus is uppdated in accordance with the decisions 2021-02-11 (§§ 9-10) by the Board of Education on the main field of study Forestry science and on degree requirements (SLU.sfak.2021.3.1.1-22). It thus replaces SG0266, decided by the Programme Board for Education in Forestry (PN-S) 2020-11-11 (SLU.sfak.2020.3.1.1-447), due to changed field of study.

Responsible department

Department of Forest Economics