12785 - Sociology of the Environment

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to recognize the basic elements of this discipline, know the history of sociological debate about the concept of environment, individuate and manage the characteristics of environmental analysis, and appropriately use the most important concepts of this discipline.

Course contents

Module One
The first module of this course will be focused on a general introduction about the sociology of environment. First of all, the environmental analysis will be introduced: it consists on all the cognitive elements (variables, indicators, etc.) which make possible a knowledge of territory, in order to capture its more and more rapid changes. Recent empirical studies  provide a problematic picture of environment, showing that it is time to adjust the research tools to the real processes of a rapidly changing society. The Chicago School adopted an approach where environment was considered in its own specificity rather than something undifferentiated; that School also represented a clear option for qualitative techniques, with participant observation as a prominent tool. This module will also be focused on socio-environmental analysis of suburbanization, periurbanization and urban sprawl. Nowadays, these phenomena are a problematic (but exciting) topic to understand the notion of environment in sociology.

Module Two
The second module will be focused on the presentation of some empirical studies and some best practices that emerged in addressing the environmental crisis. With regard to the first topic, we will introduce a study on accessibility, mobility and opportunities in the metropolitan areas of Milan, Bologna and Turin. A particular attention will be given to the environmental and social impact in relation to capital mobility, urban morphology and spatial distribution of some services. With regard to the second topic, we will present bio-architecture as a case of reaction against the environmental crisis. Ecological literacy will be introduced as the inspiring paradigm of bio-architecture; after that, we will also introduce some national and international best practices.

Readings/Bibliography

Module One:

G. Nuvolati, F. Piselli (a cura di), La città: bisogni, desideri, diritti. La città diffusa: stili di vita e popolazioni metropolitane, Angeli, Milano, 2009.

Module Two:

M. Castrignanò, M. Colleoni, C. Pronello, Muoversi in città. Accessibilità e mobilità nella metropoli contemporanea, Angeli, Milano, 2012.
W. Mitterer, G. Manella (a cura di), Costruire sostenibilità. Crisi ambientale e bioarchitettura, Angeli, Milano, 2013.

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars.

Assessment methods

A final oral exam about all the books in the recommended reading will be done, in order to check the critical and methodological skills acquired by students. A particular attention will be given to students' skills to orient themselves within the sources and bibliographical material in order to find the useful information to illustrate the proper cultural aspects of this discipline. The achievement of an organic vision of the course topics together with a critical use, a mastery of expression and a specific language will be assessed as excellent. A more mechanical and mnemonic knowledge, non-articulated synthesis and analysis skills, and correct but not always appropriate language will be assessed as good; training gaps and/or inappropriate language - although with a minimum knowledge of the exam contents - will be assessed as sufficient. Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within reference material will be assessed as insufficient.

Teaching tools

Further material will be available on the teacher's webpage during the course.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Pieretti

See the website of Gabriele Manella