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The course will be taught online on a digital e-learning platform through a rich selection of resources including course literature, audio and video material and a discussion forum. All participants will receive further instructions upon admission to the course. The course presupposes an interactive use of the digital course platform by the students. The language of instruction is English. Digital seminars with local and international experts from academia and various institutions.
The course is offered in a cooperation between the Åland Islands Peace Institute and the Open University/Åland University of Applied Sciences.
The course approaches territorial autonomy from an interdisciplinary and comparative perspective, with law and political science as starting points. A bachelor’s degree in the humanities (political science, peace and conflict studies, international law, public administration or other relevant disciplines) or equivalent experience as well as a proficient command of English are prerequisites for successful participation. Each of the five modules includes obligatory tasks that need to be fulfilled before proceeding to the next module. Study can otherwise be done at students’ own pace. There are, however, regular digital seminars (ca two seminars / module).
Registration is done by sending an email to open@ha.ax containing the following information:
The e-course will not be offered in 2024.
100 €
The course is managed and taught by Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark, PhD, JD, director of the Åland Islands Peace Institute, Susann Simolin, Doctoral Researcher and Dr. Alexander Osipov. There will be digital seminars with local and international experts from academia and various institutions.
The Åland Islands Peace Institute has developed an online college course – Territorial Autonomy as a Resource for Diversity & for Conflict Resolution – Lessons with the Åland Example as one point of departure – on territorial self-governance using the Åland Islands as an example and case study.
This is an interdisciplinary course that takes a broad perspective on discussions of self-governance, self-determination, multi-level governance and the rights of minorities. It addresses Åland’s self-governance, demilitarisation and adoption of neutrality, as well as the culture and language guarantees necessary for any language and culture. Additionally, it discusses the importance of territorial autonomy as a possible tool for conflict resolution, e.g. as a possible solution to ethnopolitical conflicts.
This course is built upon international research and the Peace Institute’s extensive experience and publications.
The course, or parts of it, can be adapted and customised to one’s needs.
