OVERVIEW

The course aims to introduce an approach to human-nature relationship based on sustainability concepts and practices, in an educational context of communities and individuals throughout the entire life span. Attention is given to participatory dimension. Declining the principles of sustainability, responsibility and inclusiveness related to emergencies and environmental issues arising from a model of economic growth without limits, will highlighting the interdisciplinar and cross connections.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To introduce in educational contexts of the communities and people, along the entire life span , and to sustain a cultural approach to human-nature relationship based on sustainability and practices that result from it. Particular attention will be given to participatory dimension. To decline the principles of sustainability, responsibility and inclusiveness related to social and environmental issues emergencies arising from a model of economic growth without limits, and to highlight the interdisciplinary and cross connections.

LEARNING OUTCOMES (FURTHER INFO)

In particular, the course aims to introduce students to the concepts of sustainability and sustainable education through a teaching mode that refers to the group work and the participation of students in knowledge construction. An issue of local relevance will be addressed by redaing key of sustainability, to develop reflections on the human / nature relationship and on the sustainable use of natural resources These reflections will allow to expand the contents of the process of education. Where possible, thematic seminars will be organized.

TEACHING METHODS

Classes are held in the classroom and, when possible, through field trips. The classroom activities involve the active participation of students, through discussion of the course topics.

For each lesson, the professor is committed to upload in the e-learning portal (Aulaweb) a reasoned summary of the content of the discussion in the classroom (also in English). Participants are invited to upload their comments, concerns, insights, invitations to the discussion and any other material they consider appropriate for the joint work, in the forums dedicated to each lesson.

Not attending students will signal their position of not attending to the teacher (via email). However, they are still strongly encouraged to follow the course through the text adopted and the materials uploaded on the e-learning portal (Aulaweb) and to load into the portal their thoughts, doubts, opinions, suggestions about content discussed in the classroom, using the appropriate forum dedicated to each lesson. In this way they will feel part of the common work.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The adopted teaching methods (group work, active participation of students) does not allow to detail a program; challenging opportunities offered by the territory will be exploited to generate interest and discussion on topics related to the educational objectives. Contributions drawn from publications, newspaper articles and other available material will be presented and discussed. Where possible, meetings with subjects of special interest for the course will be organized.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Recommended reading

• S. Sterling, "Educazione sostenibile", Anima Mundi Editrice, Cesena, 2006 - ISBN 88-86627-27-0.

• Other study materials will be made available through the e-learning portal (Aulaweb).

No further additional texts for non-attending students.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIORGIO MATRICARDI (President)

NICOLETTA VARANI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The start of classes will take place in the first effective date of the first semester of the academic year. Any changes will be communicated to students on time.

Class schedule

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Consistently with the educational choices made for the course, the methods of evaluation will be discussed and defined with the students during the lessons.

The examination is to ascertain:

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: given the interdisciplinary nature of sustainable education, including scientific knowledge to which the students of the degree program have no special training, participants will be helped to develop adequate comprehension skills also with respect to issues that do not fall between the their skills.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING IMPLEMENTATION: students will then be able to strengthen their critical capacity to address the complex and uncertain problems that everyday life offers.

AUTONOMOUS JUDGMENT: the use of the skills mobilized by the course will allow participants to integrate personal knowledge to understand what is happening around them and to propose their own solutions to the problems of everyday life.

COMMUNICATION: the highly participatory evaluation mode (essential, given the didactic choices made for the course) will enable the students to boost their expressive and communication abilities both to a generic and specialized audience.

LEARNING: Students will develop appropriate learning skills that will enable them to investigate independently the main issues of sustainability, especially in the workplace in which they will operate.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

All the students are invited to consult periodically the page dedicated to the course on the e-learning portal (accessible at: www.aulaweb.unige.it). All information and materials related to this course are exclusively published in this site.