University of Copenhagen

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of processes in terrestrial ecosystems, and of effects of global change on processes and organisms. The focus is on carbon, water, and nutrient cycling between plants, soil organisms, soil, and atmosphere. This includes lessons in radiation and energy balance, photosynthesis, respiration, water use efficiency, and measures of stress, at leaf, plant, and canopy level. Belowground processes as plant nutrient uptake and microbial turnover, mobilization and immobilization of nutrients, plant-microbe-animal interactions, plant-soil-atmosphere interactions, rhizosphere processes and mycorrhizal function are also addressed, with focus on the importance of climate and anthropogenically induced climatic changes. Species/community effects on ecosystem processes and temporal dynamics are also addressed. Field and laboratory studies are performed and the results are presented orally and in reports. Participants present one or two journal papers with relation to the subjects taught in the lectures, including effects of global change on ecosystems.

This course provides an overview of mobile, ubiquitous, and wearable computing interfaces; including commercial devices such as mobile phones, smart watches, augmented reality glasses, smart speakers, and other home devices; as well as research interfaces such as public displays, smart jewelry, or body-based user interfaces. The course sheds light on two fundamental aspects of mobile computing: the technological foundations of mobile computing interfaces and the user interface requirements for such novel computing interfaces. It contains advanced material on both technological foundations and interaction styles on mobile interfaces.

This course introduces mindfulness as a psychological construct, presenting and discussing ways to understand and describe the concept. It presents theoretical perspectives that seek to illuminate the origin, development, potential, and limitations of mindfulness. The course examines clinical and cognitive empirical studies that demonstrate various operationalizations and effects of mindfulness interventions. It also contains a smaller practical part where select mindfulness exercises are exemplified to provide a practice-based understanding of the concept of mindfulness. Assessment is based on an individual or group written assignment of 12-18 pages. 

This course studies environmental ethics, with a focus on reasoned arguments regarding our handling of, dealing with, and behavior towards nature and the environment. It introduces concrete analysis tools emerging from classical ethical theories and environmental philosophy; anthropocentrism and the various alternatives; and the notions of nature and the natural, risk, equality and justice, value pluralism, and the different needs for relating through nature in physical, aesthetical, and existential ways. The course utilizes environmental ethical issues of contemporary concern as case studies, in the context of both Euro-American and developing countries, in order to uncover, understand, and structure relevant knowledge and ethical issues to address professional challenges related to environments and society. Case study topics include climate change, animal production, biodiversity conservation, sustainability and human well-being, wildlife management, genetically modified crops, and ecological restoration. This course consists of an integrated mix of lectures, exercises, and discussions, including quizzes, votes, panel debates, student presentations, guest lecturers, and films. Through exercises, discussions, and assignment work, it explores various approaches to identifying, assessing, and approaching ethical dilemmas in relation to environmental decision-making.

The course introduces digital media and its theory, history, aesthetics, function, and impact on society. After an introduction to different theoretical perspectives on media (e.g. medium theory and medialization theory), the course turns to topics such as media archaeology and -materiality, digital publics and political communication, media use and participatory culture, misinformation and surveillance. It analyzes social media (e.g. Facebook and Twitter), digital visual media (e.g. photography), and other forms of digital media.

This course provides a people-oriented global approach to sustainable environmental resource management and an introduction to essential contemporary issues related to global forests. Emphasis is placed on the relationships between people, environmental resource use, and conservation, with a particular focus on forests. Central topics include the ideas and views that guide forest use and conservation; how people rely on environmental resources and the relationships between forests and human health; how a price is placed on environmental products and their importance to local people is made visible; quantifying forest cover; deforestation and what can be done; the existence and effectiveness of national and global policies; and sustainable forest management. The course offers a combination of guided readings, in-class discussions and exercises, online discussions, and detailed feedback on two individual essays.