Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to

- work and live in Finland or with the Finns without major cultural conflicts.
- use the basic information on Finnish history, society, design, welfare state, identity and nature etc. to understand values, customs and habits in Finland.
- get deeper cultural experiences in Finland through functional and experiential activities and visits related to Finnish culture.

Implementation and methods of teaching

The course will be conducted on campus in Lappeenranta. Deadlines for the essay and exam must be followed. Final exam will take place in EXAM electronic exam system found on campus.

Study methods: lectures, literature and videos, reflective individual essay incl. participation in at least 3 cultural activities of student's choice and a final exam.

Detailed instructions regarding cultural activities will be explained in the first session.

You must enroll for the course in Peppi/SISU as it's an elective course. If you have lived in Finland for many years, you do not need to do the course, but you can choose other electives instead.

This course helps you in your cultural adaptation to Finland and many incoming exchange students have told that the course with its activities enriches students' overall experience of their student exchange to Finland as they learn to understand the country and its culture much deeper. Additional vocabulary in Finnish can be found on the course platform in related to every theme to encourage students' learning of Finnish language. However, vocabulary sections are not included in the final exam.

Timing and attendance

To be organized once per term, starting in January and in September.

Learning material and recommended literature

Articles, lecture slides, videos and websites. All is available on Moodle.

Alternative completion methods

No alternative methods available.

Exam retakes

Available in electronic exam system EXAM on campus only. The exam room is supervised by camera.

Learning environment

Moodle

Student time use and work load

About 80 hours.

Contents

1. Key basic facts about Finland (Cultural Onion of Finland)
2. History of Finland
3. Finnish business culture
4. Finland as a welfare state
5. Sustainability thinking and the special phenomena of the Finnish nature
6. Special cultural traditions of the Finns
7. Highlights of the Finnish design
8. Why are Finns the happiest nation in the world?

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

No prerequisites.

Assessment criteria

Accepted final exam and reflective essay with documented visits to cultural activities.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

The student has not completed required assignments successfully.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student has a satisfactory command of the course contents and the reflective essay documents the learning. All cultural visits have been documented approvingly.

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student has a good command of the course contents and the reflective essay reflects the learning well. All cultural visits have been documented approvingly.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student has an excellent command of the course contents and the learning diary reflects learning. All cultural visits have been documented approvingly.