Academic Year/course:
2021/22
627 - Master's Degree in Circular Economy
69763 - Policy and governance in Circular Economy
Syllabus Information
Academic Year:
2021/22
Subject:
69763 - Policy and governance in Circular Economy
Faculty / School:
100 - Facultad de Ciencias
Degree:
627 - Master's Degree in Circular Economy
ECTS:
6.0
Year:
01
Semester:
Second semester
Subject Type:
Optional
Module:
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1.1. Aims of the course
The Policy and Governance in Circular Economy course is designed to understand and apply the legal requirements that govern the transition from the linear economy to the circular economy. These approaches and objectives are aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 13 (Climate Action) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/), such that the acquisition of the learning results of the subject provides training and competence to contribute to a certain extent to its achievement.
1.2. Context and importance of this course in the degree
The course of Policy and Governance in Circular Economy is taught in the second semester as an optional course of the socioeconomic module. It is designed for students with Law and Social Sciences degrees. The course is taught from the University of La Rioja.
1.3. Recommendations to take this course
Regular use of the teaching platform and daily study of the concepts presented are recommended, with special emphasis on solving practical activities. Likewise, it is vital to consult the doubts and questions that pose difficulties in the teaching and learning process, for which personalised tutorials should be used.
2.1. Competences
BASIC COMPETENCES
CB6 - Have demonstrated knowledge and understanding that is founded upon and extends and/or enhances that typically associated with the first cycle, and that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and/or applying ideas, often within a research context.
CB7 - Can apply their knowledge and understanding, and problem solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study.
CB8 - Have the ability to integrate knowledge and handle complexity, and formulate judgements with incomplete or limited information, but that include reflecting on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgements.
CB9 - Can communicate their conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialist and nonspecialist audiences clearly and unambiguously.
CB10 - Have the learning skills to allow them to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed or autonomous.
GENERAL COMPETENCES
CG1 - Obtain information in Spanish and English using information technologies efficiently
CG2 - Manage, critically analyse and synthesise information
CG3 - Critically reflect in a systemic way and using causal relationships
CG4 - Formulate, analyse, evaluate and compare in a multidisciplinary way new or alternative solutions for different problems
CG5 - Work in interdisciplinary groups
CG6 - Transmit information efficiently through information and communication technologies
CG7 - Develop management skills (decision making, goal setting, problem definition, design, and evaluation)
CG8 - Properly manage available resources on time
SPECIFIC COMPETENCES
CE7 - Apply the legal requirements for the implementation of the Circular Economy.
CE8 - Make proposals to facilitate the transition from Linear to Circular Economy.
2.2. Learning goals
The student, passing this subject, achieves the following results:
1. Know the current legislation for the adaptation of public institutions and private organisations to the requirements of Circular Economy.
2. Be able to formulate contributions with criteria in the preparation and discussion of proposals for the progressive improvement of the legal framework of Circular Economy.
2.3. Importance of learning goals
Obtaining the learning outcomes is critical to understanding and being able to apply the legal requirements governing the transition from linear to Circular Economy.
3. Assessment (1st and 2nd call)
3.1. Assessment tasks (description of tasks, marking system and assessment criteria)
The course will be evaluated using two assessment methods (continuous and global), so that the student will be assigned the grade that is most beneficial to him. For this, the grades obtained in the following tests will be used:
* Active participation (A). The qualification for this concept takes into account the regularity of the attendance and the interventions of each student in both the theoretical and practical classes.
* Resolution of problems and cases (P). The resolution of these exercises constitutes an individual or group work of the students. Students must submit a report at the end of each session following the guidelines and presentation format that will be marked.
* Final short, long and / or development answer test (scored as F). The test will be held simultaneously at each university under conditions that guarantee the proper identification of students and the impossibility of fraud in them.
The grades obtained by each student in the aforementioned evaluation activities will be weighted according to the following formulas:
Formula 1:
Final mark of the course: 0.2 × A + 0.3 × P + 0.5 × F
Formula 2:
Final grade for the course: F
It is not necessary to achieve minimum marks in the evaluation tests for the application of the above formulas. The final grade for the course will be the best grade obtained in each case after applying formula 1 and formula 2.
The number of official exam sessions to which enrollment entitles (2 per enrollment) as well as the consumption of these calls will be adjusted to the Rules of Permanence in Master's Studies and the Rules of Learning Assessment of the University of Zaragoza (https://ciencias.unizar.es/normativas-asuntos-academicos). To this last regulation, the general criteria for the design of the tests and the grading system will also be adjusted, and according to the same, the time, place and date on which the review will be held when publishing the qualifications will be made public.
4. Methodology, learning tasks, syllabus and resources
4.1. Methodological overview
Learning in this subject is based on the combination of the expository method and the flipped classroom.
According to the expository method, the professor develops the presentation of the topics before the students present in the same classroom or other universities through videoconference. In addition, other teaching materials will be included in the Moodle platform that will allow dedicating some of the classes to interact with students, raising questions that allow relating concepts.
To solve exercises and problems, students will be assigned exercises and problems that they must solve individually.
The preparation of theoretical works consists of writing reports on a topic assigned by the teacher following his instructions and with his tutoring.
In case of studies, students carry out case studies or solve practical assumptions, in such a way that the student is required to elaborate an argued solution regarding a question, solve a series of specific questions or carry out a global reflection. The solutions to the problems or assumptions or the critical analysis of the case are evaluated. It involves the presentation of work and the teacher's feedback on them.
All these training activities will be supported by tutorials from teachers via videoconference.
4.2. Learning tasks
Master class: 10 hours
Resolution of problems and cases: 5 hours
Teaching work: 49 hours
Study: 85 hours
Evaluation tests: 1 hour
4.3. Syllabus
Topic 1. International framework. Environmental crisis as a global threat: causes, manifestations, and consequences. The international response within the framework of the United Nations. The concept of sustainable development: origin, evolution, and expression in the United Nations 2030 Agenda; objectives, goals, and indicators; means of implementation.
Topic 2. Framework of the European Union. Origin, nature, and evolution of European environmental policy in the light of original and derived law: from the Environmental Action Programs to the European Green Deal. Principles, objectives, and conditions of European environmental law. Organisational, normative, financial, economic (market), and horizontal instruments. Adoption and application of European standards.
Topic 3. Strategy of the European Union for the Circular Economy. Background: integrated product policy and life cycle analysis. The European Commission action plans for the circular economy: nature, structure, and content. The deployment of the measures provided for in the current 2020 Action Plan. The circular economy in the programming of the Multiannual Financial Framework until 2027.
Unit 4. Reception in Spain. Sustainable development as a guiding principle of social and economic policy. The rights of access to information, participation, and access to justice in environmental matters. The distribution of powers between State, regions, and local entities. Characteristic features of the environmental legal system. Civil, criminal, administrative, and environmental liability.
Topic 5. Spanish circular economy policy. State framework: Spanish Circular Economy Strategy: principles and strategic guidelines. The concretions of the first Action Plan. Territorial experiences: typology and comparative analysis of autonomic models; the role of municipalities and other local entities.
Unit 6. Legal techniques in the production phase. Prohibitions and limitations in the manufacture of products: hazardous chemicals, ecodesign. Integration of circularity criteria in the environmental evaluation of plans, programs, and projects, in the integrated environmental authorisation of facilities, in the police of classified activities, and other preventive sectorial controls. Self-regulation: technical standardisation, corporate social responsibility, and eco-audits (the European environmental management system EMAS).
Unit 7. Legal techniques in the consumption phase. Ecological public procurement: general framework and environmental clauses, award criteria, and execution conditions. Green Marketing: The European Union Ecolabel. Planned obsolescence and rights of consumers and users.
Topic 8. Legal techniques in the waste management phase (I). Inspirational principles. Regulatory framework. Planning instruments. Concept, classification, and characterisation of waste. Legal status of the manager: public managers, private managers, and systems of extended producer responsibility.
Topic 9. Legal techniques in the waste management phase (II). Conditions and objectives of waste management operations: collection, transport, preparation for reuse, recycling, other recovery, and disposal. Requirements for landfills, incinerators, and other management facilities. Requirement of responsibilities.
Topic 10. Legal techniques in the market phase of secondary raw materials. Critical raw materials and secondary raw materials. The notions of by-product and end of the waste condition: competence and procedures for its declaration. Safety conditions for closing the cycle.
Topic 11. Sectorial legal techniques. Key value chains with specific regulation: electrical and electronic equipment; batteries and vehicles; Containers and packaging; plastics; textiles; construction and buildings; food, water, and nutrients. Tourism and others.
Topic 12. Cross-cutting techniques: Research, development, and innovation. Sustainable investments and finance. Taxation: new taxes for the circular economy. Employment and training. The monitoring framework: ecological footprint, material flow balance, and circularity indicators of the economy.
4.4. Course planning and calendar
Information on schedules, calendar, and exams is published on the Master's page on the website of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Zaragoza (https://ciencias.unizar.es/master-en-economia-circular). Presentation of reports will be carried out according to the calendar that will be announced in due course through the Moodle page of the subject.