90531 - SOCIOLOGIA DELL' AMBIENTE

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - will be able to recognize the essential features of the discipline; - will know the evolution of the sociological debate around the concept of environment; - will know how to identify and analyze the main characteristics of environmental research; - knows how to use the fundamental interpretative concepts of the discipline.

Course contents

The course analyzes the development of Environmental Sociology by tracing its main disciplinary strands, from the affirmation of the new ecological paradigm (NEP) to the most recent perspectives. Within the framework of a low-carbon society, the course aims at building knowledge aimed at interpreting and problematizing the relationship between society and the environment.

The course is divided into two parts.

Starting from a theoretical reflection on the relationship between society and the environment, in the first part of the course the main theoretical traditions of the Environmental Sociology will be illustrated; the relationships between environmental issues and models of development, production and consumption, urbanization will be analyzed.

In the second part of the course some thematic focuses will be proposed and organized: global climate governance, resilience of urban systems, development of nature-based solutions, etc. In addition to lectures, the organization of seminars with external guests who will present applied research experiences is foreseen.

Lessons take place in the second semester.

Readings/Bibliography

Plesse note: Bibliography is the same for both attending and non-attending students. In the first days of class, however, any specific bibliographies for those attending will be discussed.

8 CFU PROGRAM:

First part:

Pellizzoni L., Osti G., Sociologia dell’ambiente, Il Mulino, 2008.

Landi A., Una società low-carbon in costruzione. Elementi di teoria e pratiche della transizione sostenibile, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2015.

For the second part, a text of student's choice from:

Castrignanò, Marco, Landi, Alessandra, La città e le sfide ambientali globali, Francoangeli, Milano, 2016.

Carrosio Giovanni, I margini al centro : l'Italia delle aree interne tra fragilità e innovazione,Donzelli, Roma, 2019.

Corona G., Breve storia dell’ambiente in Italia, Il Mulino, 2015.

 

 

 

Teaching methods

The course is structured in lessons of two hours each, in which frontal teaching and moments of discussion/comparison with the students alternate, also with the participation of external speakers.

Assessment methods

Learning assesment takes place through an individual oral interview on the basis of the reference texts for the exam, aimed at evaluating: a) the learning of the contents by the student; b) her/his ability to elaborate and argue.

Attending students can develop a paper and / or a power point presentation, to be presented to the class, on a topic agreed with the teacher during the course of the lessons.

Appropriate language with the specific nature of the discipline, and the ability to deepen and put into connection with each other the main issues addressed in the course will result in assessments of excellence. Correct language, mnemonic knowledge of contents and partial ability to link the themes covered will produce discrete valuations. Inappropriate language, the presence of some training gaps but achieving a minimal body of knowledge on the topics covered will result in assessments sufficient. Lack of guidance within the themes addressed in the exam readings, inappropriate language, and training gaps will result in negative evaluations.

Teaching tools

Slides presentation, videos, websites.

The slides presented at class will be available during the course.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Landi