Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Dear all,

Thank you for taking the course! I hope you have learned some facts and insights about Finland and have deepened  your interest to learn more. It was great to end the course by visiting Boliden, seeing parts of the process and hearing about the company.

Make sure you have all assignments done; presentations sent by e-mail to Peter and Linda, blog posts done etc so that you will get the credits for the course.

You also need to fill in the last (obligatory) learning goal questionnaire, which you find here

Happy holidays and prosperous new year to all of you!

Peter and Linda

Business introduction, Egor Zmaznev

1.What are the 5 most important sectors in Kokkola region (Keski-Pohjanmaa)?

- Metal industry and basic metal manufacture (Metallien jalostus ja metallituotteiden valm)

- Social services and medicine(Terveys- ja sosiaalipalvelut)

- Chemical industry

- Logistics

- Trade sector

According to http://www.kase.fi/tilastot/tilastot-julkinen.php and http://www.keski-pohjanmaa.fi/tilastot-ja-ennakointi/elinkeinorakenne

2. Are the most important sectors the same in Kokkola (Central Ostrobothnia) as in Finland?

To my mind, the most important sectors are practically the same,but their influence on whole Finnish economy differs.I suppose that logistics and trade sectors are two most important and most profitable sectors(mosty because the geographical location of Finland: being "between" Europe and Russian Federation gives great opportunities for these two sectors)
3. What are the most important companies in Kokkola? 

OMG

KPO group

CABB Oy

Freeport Copalt Oy

Boliden Kokkola Oy
4. Reflect on what company would you like to visit? Why?

Boliden Kokkola Oy, because it is one of the biggest employers in its sectors in Kokkola and working in the most important sector 

Exam Assessment

The assessment of the exam is according to the following:

0	Failed. Student cannot understand the task. Student has not submitted the task.
1	Student doesn't understand the task. The assignment doesn't show own thinking and it is difficult to understand the answers.
2	Student understands the task but there are some misunderstandings. Some answers are right, but there are many shortcomings.
3	Student understands the task. The answers are good but have some shortcomings.
4	Student understands the task well. The answers are well elaborated and well written.
5	Student fully understands the task. Student has answered to the asked question in an extraordinary way and can think critically.

Course concepts - What methods, assessment and requirements?

Great that you have chosen to get insights into Finnish Society and Culture!

FOUR TOPICS: You will gain insights into Finnish business and economy, education, music and political system during the course.

ASSESSMENT: is based on activity and responsibility in teamwork (30%), presentations and videos (30%), the midterm exam (30%). Filling in Learning goal is compulsory (10%) and Peer evaluation will also be used.

BLOGGING: We will use this platform for the course. You will find information, tasks etc here. The blog is also the place where you will post your assignments and reflections.

CLASS TIME: We expect you to be in class during class time. This is the time when new topics are introduced, presentations made, new learning methods tried.

EXAM: There will also be an exam on 5.11.2014, based on the reading and your research findings. The exam is applied, where focus is on understanding the big picture. Why is something in a certain way? How is it compared to your own country etc.

HELSINKI: We will visit Helsinki on 3-4 December (TBO). We will visit the Parliament (tbo), a company, go to a concert, and a school/ministry/organization. You will make the grand plan!

LEARNING: will take place in many different ways. Some will be research-based, collaborative in small groups, by reading, be giving presentations, by listening to lectures, by making videos or by visiting interesting places. 

LEARNING GOAL QUESTIONNAIRE: is compulsory (Assessment 10%) and will help you in reaching your own learning goals. You will fill it in 3 times.

 READING: The course will also include some independent reading about Finnish Education, Business, Political System and Music. The reading is a base where you can build further knowledge.

SHARE: All findings will be shared in the blog: http://centriafsc2014.blogspot.fi/

TASKS: You will have tasks related to the four topics Business & Economy, Education, Music and Political System.

TEAMWORK: Collaborative learning is central in the course. You will do research together and publish your findings in different ways. Presentations, videos or blog texts.

VISITS: We will make visits on a local and national level. These visits will be related to the topics: Business, Education, Music and Political System.
You will have a big say in who we are going to visit! You will also be central in making these visits happen.

 Peter Finell and Linda Krokfors will be your pilots during the journey.
Looking forward to working with you!