Circular economy as a societal change, MOOC, spring 2025
- Credits:
- 3 ECTS credits
- Location:
- -
- Continuous learning category:
- Law and society, Environmental and natural sciences
- Teaching format:
- Independent learning, Online teaching
- Price:
- 60 € (VAT 0%)

This course is part of the YUFE Skills of the Future Programme
Course content: The course studies circular economy as a societal change, that touches many aspects of life. Both social, political and judicial preconditions of the circular economy are examined. The course is multidisciplinary and provides perspectives to circular economy through environmental policy, environmental law and geography. The different sections of the course examine of the objectives related to circular economy from the perspective of different actors, industries, social responsibility and legislation.
The main themes discussed on the course include inter alia:
- Circular economy solutions to the challenge of natural resources overconsumption
- The societal change required by circular economy and steering of the change
- The social and cultural dimensions of circular economy
- Circular economy as a regional phenomenon
- Circular economy through topical example sectors
Learning outcomes: After completing the course, the student
- can analyze circular economy from a social scientific perspective
- can apply the concepts and theories used in social scientific research into circular economy
- understands the premises of circular economy and the different dimensions and actors of the societal transition related to circular economy
Target group: Anyone interested in circular economy or environmental policy. The course is open to all students, regardless of previous studies or background. This course is also available through YUFE Skills of the Future Programme.
After completing the MOOC-course students have an opportunity to add to their knowledge with an essay, 2 ECTS credits.
Modes of study: The course is an online course. Completing the course requires passing the assignments given during the course. The assignments are related to the different sections of the course and are completed independently. The course materials include the online course materials and other materials given at the course platform. The course does not include lectures.
Teaching methods: Online studies on DigiCampus
Teacher: Jukka Sihvonen
The time to study this course is limited, in the spring semester, from Mar 24th to May 18th, 2025. The course proceeds according to schedule and students must return assignments at regular intervals. Students must register to the DigiCampus online platform right at the begining of the course. More information, the description and timelines of the course can be found from the Peppi study guide. In their studies, open university students must adhere to the same schedules and study modes as degree students.
This course can also be studied in the autumn of 2024, you can find it here.
Study units cost 20 € / ECTS credit. This price holds for the academic year 2024-2025.
For more information on study fees and payment and cancellation terms, please see: Registration, study fees and right to study | University of Eastern Finland (uef.fi).
Right to study will cover the lessons and exams.
Fees for purchasing/lending literature are not included in the study fee.
If you can’t identify yourself using the Suomi.fi service or your employer pays for your studies, please contact our student affairs secretary; their contact information is below.
