Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE EER3002

 
TITLE Introduction to Permaculture

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Centre for Environmental Education and Research

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit is being developed as part of the Erasmus + "PERMA+" transnational project. Permaculture is a set of principles that integrates land, resources, people and the environment through mutually beneficial synergies. It aims to imitate and recreate natural ecosystems through the use of closed-loop and no waste techniques. This study-unit provides students with biodiversity knowledge and high-level skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, decision-making, environmental assessment, autonomy and creativity. The students will be provided with a set of theoretical and practical tools that will enable them to apply permaculture principles to any field of work and improve their employability and entrepreneurship mindset.

Study-Unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to provide students with increased knowledge and skills pertaining to sustainable agriculture and design, focusing on innovative solutions and actions. It guides students in understanding the underlying ethics of Permaculture, namely Earth care, People care and Fair shares. It also aims to introduce students to how Permaculture is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, this introductory course equips students with both theoretical and practical design skills for applying the SDGs in their careers or life work as change-makers towards sustainable development.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Recall the main scientific principles pertaining to climate, soil, landscape forms, water management, vegetables systems, animal systems, and designing for disaster.
- Describe the philosophy and ethics behind permaculture.
- Explain the permaculture design process.
- Describe the main permaculture design tools, techniques and methods.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Appraise possible design actions and justify design choices.
- Integrate design thinking in their studies and their lives.
- Compare and contrast different consumption choices and propose responsible choices.
- Solve specific innovations challenges and apply their knowledge into action that creates value for others.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- A student course book being written as part of Perma + Erasmus + project of which UM through CEER is a partner.
- Morrow, R. (2007). Earth User's Guide to Permaculture. Kangaroo Press.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Fieldwrk, Online Learn, Lect, Practicum & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Reflective Diary SEM2 Yes 40%
Assignment SEM2 Yes 60%

 
LECTURER/S Vincent Caruana

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit