Circular Economy

Course manual 2021/2022

Course content

During this course we will start by observing the linear economy and the current state of it. We will try to identify the externalities of this economy and their influence on the world around us. After looking at the status quo, we will study a proposed solution: the circular economy, one of the solutions that was presented to solve the problems in the linear economy. We will study this solution, its benefits and its flaws in detail. We will also study other proposed solutions (such as doughnut economics and the biobased economy) and will identify the differences between them. After that we will look at the changes that both governments and companies will need to make in order to make the shift towards a circular economy. Also we'll look at ways of measuring circularity and how to approach this big change from transition theory. The students will analyse specific cases individually as well as in a group assignment.

Study materials

Literature

• Will become available on Canvas

Objectives

• Describe the difference between linear and circular economy, as well as between circular economy and other models like biobased economy, blue economy and doughnut economy.
• Come up with real life of fictive examples of circular practices.
• Apply the transition theory to the transition to a circular economy.
• Measure the extent to which an intervention is circular.
• Recognize and come up with government interventions that can lead to a circular economy.
• Come up with examples of circular practices.
• Apply the theory of the circular economy on a case assignment.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Supervision/feedback meeting

Lectures
During the 7 lectures in this course, the field of the circular economy and related fields will be explained thoroughly. During the last two lectures, we'll go into the circular transition in the building sector.

Seminars
During the seminars, the content of the lectures and the corresponding literature will be discussed in depth in smaller groups.

Presentations
Once during the course, the students will teach each other about a specific field related to the circular economy.

Self-study
A lot of self-study is necessary during this course. For a 6EC course, we have a relatively small amount of contact moments. The course uses quite a lot of literature (books, articles and documentaries), that will need to be read by the students.

Working independently on a project
Much of the time available for this course will be spent on a group assignment in a group of 3 or 4. The group assignment entails an analysis concerning the circular economy.

Supervision
Two meetings with the tutorial teacher will take place to supervise the progress of the group assignments. If possible, these meetings will take place during the tutorials.

Learning activities

Attendance

Additional requirements for this course:

The lectures have no attendancy obligations, but the subjects of the lectures are a part of the exam.

The tutorials are obligated. According to the OER, 10% of the tutorials can be missed. This adds up to 1 of the tutorials.

Assessment

The exam will consist of open questions. Per question there is a maximum amount of points. All the points are added up. The grade is determined as follows:

(Number of Points)/(Maximum number of points)*9+1

Students that were enrolled in the course in previous years

In case the course structure did not change fundamentally from previous year, the IIS uses the rule that course components that were passed with a sufficient grade ánd meeting the attendance requirements ánd practical exams, can be used for one year. In case students want to finish the course after two years, they need to meet the same requirements as the first year.

Inspection of assessed work

After the exam, the grades will be communicated through an email and a central moment will be organized, at which the students can review their exam and ask question about the answers and the grading.

For the work that is handed in digitally, the grades will also be communicated digitally. If students then have questions about the grading, they can ask those per email. If necessary, a separate meeting can be planned.

Assignments

During the couse there will be two smaller assignments, that will together form 10% of the final grade of the course:

1. A presentation during a tutorial about one of the other models, similar to circular economy (such as doughnut ecnomics).
2. Measuring circularity. Feedback will be given through Canvas or email.

There is also a large final assignment, that will be executed in a group of 3 or 4. More information about the contents of this assignment will be communicated through Canvas. Feedback will be given through Canvas or email. This grade will make up 40% of the final grade.

Fraud and plagiarism

This course adheres to the general rules on ‘Fraud and Plagiarism` as set by the UvA. Students are expected to have familiarized themselves with these rules.

The terms Fraud or Plagiarism are to be interpreted as the copying of the work of peer-student and/or the copying of (scientific) sources of information, without explicitly referring to its source.

Fraud/plagiarism is forbidden and actively checked by staff. When one is suspected of having committed fraud/plagiarism, the exam committee of beta-gamma and future planet studies will be informed. The highest punishment for fraud/plagiarism involves the student to be disallowed to partake of any exams or examination activities within the future planet studies programme, for the duration of a whole academic year, or may even face dismissal from the programme. More information about Fraud and Plagiarism can be found at: www.uva.nl/plagiaat

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Last year's course evaluation

In 2020 we taught the second version of the course 'Circular Economy', online due to corona. The course was evaluated very well with an assessment of 8,1 for the second year in a row.

The students appreciated the following aspect the most:

• Lectures and the support by the lecturers to understand the topics.
• Structure of the course
• The amount of critical thinking
• Encouragement to actively participate
• The alignment of the study materials.

Next we will list some of the suggestions that were given by the students and the ajustments we made to tackle the issues.

Contact information

Coordinator

• T.L. Bulters MSc

Staff

• Jarik Guijt
• Cas Smitsmans
• Max Keijzer
• Alternating guest lecturers