AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to explore and investigate the main themes of environmental psychology and sustainability. In the light of the most important theoretical contributions in the literature, the salient aspects of the individual-environment relationship will be analysed in order to understand its resources and potential. In addition, the course aims to provide skills both for understanding the main psychological processes that guide human behaviour for the sustainable use of natural resources, and for activating knowledge for environmental management and design.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course explores the psychosocial perspective in the study of the relationship between the individual and the environment through the discipline of environmental psychology. Environmental psychology aims to study psychological processes, human behaviour and the well-being of people in relation to the physical and socio-physical characteristics of the environment. The human dimension of environmental processes has stimulated scholars to deepen their analysis and understanding of the psychological factors involved in ecosystem-related phenomena with a focus on cognitive, affective, motivational and evaluative dimensions. The classic topics of environmental psychology will be interpreted in the light of the recent field of studies defined as environmental psychology of sustainability, which intends to deepen contents and thematic interests more directly connected with sustainable development programmes and with the valorisation of places, territory and local communities, in the perspective of sustainability. The aim of the course is to acquire a mastery of the cognitive bases, methods and techniques of environmental psychology and sustainable development, also in view of the possible use of this knowledge for the purposes of environmental management, organisation and design.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is divided into two parts: the first deals with the theoretical foundations and main constructs for the study and research in the field of environmental psychology of sustainability; the second examines the main processes involved in analysing and designing the promotion of behaviour and responses relevant to the sustainable use of natural resources in living environments.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will alternate between participative lectures, supported by slides available on Aulaweb, and group work aimed at fostering active learning processes.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Attendee programme:

Steg L., Van Den Berg A., YesDe Groot J. (2013) Handbook of Environmental Psychology and Ecological Behaviour, FerrariSinibaldi. 
Slides and materials available on aulaweb

Non-attending programme:

Steg L., Van Den Berg A., YesDe Groot J. (2013) Handbook of Environmental Psychology and Ecological Behaviour, FerrariSinibaldi. 
Slides and materials available on aulaweb

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The knowledge acquired will be assessed through an oral exam on the contents of the program. Through this mode, we will verify the theoretical and methodological knowledge acquired by the student, the critical look in relation to the main constructs addressed and the ability to translate them in the contexts.

For attending students there is the possibility to design an intervention, according to the modalities presented in class, in the 'environmental psychology of sustainable development, which will be the subject of the oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The students during the oral exam will be able to demonstrate to possess adequate knowledge of the main theories and constructs in the field of environmental psychology of sustainability and to be able to apply the knowledge acquired for the realization of interventions.  Students can demonstrate the acquisition of the technical language typical of the discipline to be able to communicate clearly with interlocutors specialists and non-specialists.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) are reminded that, in order to request accommodations for examinations, they must first submit their certification to the University’s Student Inclusion Services for students with disabilities and SLDs.

Subsequently, to request exam accommodations, students with disabilities or SLDs must complete the form available on the following page: Services for Students with Disabilities or SLDs | UniGe | University of Genoa.

Students with SEN, on the other hand, must send an email to the course instructor, copying the School Contact Person for the inclusion of students with disabilities and SLDs (laura.traverso@unige.it) and the “Student Inclusion” Office (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it).

The email must specify:

• the name of the course;
• the date of the examination session;
• the student’s surname, first name, and student ID number;
• the compensatory tools and dispensatory measures considered appropriate and requested.

For all students, requests for accommodations must be submitted well in advance (at least 7 working days before the examination date). Requests submitted after this deadline may not be accepted.