4.1 Baltic Sea Region Studies

Laurea’s studies on the Baltic Sea region are based on the EU’s enlargement to the region. The Baltic Sea served its surrounding nations and peoples as a cultural and spiritual unifying element for thousands of years during the Viking era, at the time of the Hansa Alliance and in the Kalmar Union. The significance of the Baltic Sea as a unifying force will again increase when in 2004 it becomes almost entirely an inland sea of the EU. Northwest Russia and the area around Kaliningrad are seen as essential areas in relation to the Baltic Sea.

In the 2004-2005 academic year students will be able to choose a study path for international expertise focusing on the Baltic Sea region (e.g. the Baltic countries, the Nordic countries or Russia). Baltic Sea region studies generally form an entity of 40 credits, made up of 10 credits from each of the following areas:
 language and cultural studies
 subject-related studies
 practical studies
 bachelor's thesis

The studies will begin in the 2. term with a joint introduction, which looks at co-operation in the Baltic Sea region, taking into account Laurea’s areas of expertise in sustainable development, business competence, welfare competence and ICT. This introduction is planned and implemented together with our partner institutions. We have created a network of these partners all around the Baltic Sea region, with institutions in Russia (the St. Petersburg area), Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. After receiving a joint introduction and frame of reference students may choose language, cultural and professional studies, practical studies and theses in relation to the Baltic Sea region to include in their personal study plans, from Laurea’s and its partners’ selections.

Studies are designed so that students have the opportunity of specialising geographically within their own professions (e.g. Business in Russia). However, there are also subjects (e.g. ‘the environment’) that facilitate co-operation across different geographic areas and professions. Studies are carried out through multidisciplinary projects, partly online and partly in English. Studies are planned and implemented in co-operation with our partner institutions from the Baltic Sea region.

Examples of study units and projects:

YY7540: Introduction to Studies in the Baltic Sea Region , 2 cr, 3 ECTS, 2.term

Language studies at Laurea, e.g. Swedish, Russian, Estonian

Johdatus Venäjä-tuntemukseen 2 ov, 4. term

Venäjän kulttuurihistoria 1 ov, 1.-4. term, kirjatentti

HB 7508 Russia as Target Market, 2 ov, Leppävaara

Perhe Kikkerissä –projekti 4 ov + harjoittelu, Vantaa, sote

HB7508 Baltic Countries as Target Market, 2 ov, Leppävaara

Ympäristömyötäinen maaseutumatkailu Baltiassa: monialaiset projektit

Inledning till Nordastudier 1 ov

Samhället och arbetsmarknaden i Norden 2 ov

Lev och må bra 2 ov

Studies are constantly under development and further planning. For up-to-date information visit www.laurea.fi.