Course description
Globalization, in particular economic globalization, has important impacts on the environment that have to be considered in order to achieve sustainable development.
The course aims at introducing the students to sustainable development concept in relation to globalization, with a special focus on environmental aspects. Environmental issues have gained center-stage in economic analysis and policy-making and their urgency has opened new opportunities in terms of technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
Through an interdisciplinary perspective, the course will provide students with competences and instruments for the understanding and analysis of sustainability issues and for the development of solutions oriented towards the promotion of sustainable development processes both at a local, national and international level. The last part of the course will be devoted to engage the students in designing projects to promote sustainable development in Venice, allowing to put in practice what has been learnt during the course.

Introduction and objectives
The course focuses on environmental issues in a globalized contest within the framework of sustainable development. For this purpose, the course will cover different themes, starting from the introduction of the concepts of sustainable development and globalization in relation to the environment, exploring then the new concept of Green and Circular Economy, going into depth on climate change and energy issue.

THEME I – Sustainable Development Concept
THEME II – Sustainable Development in Practice: SDG12
THEME III – Globalization and the Environment: the Challenge of Climate Change (SDG13) and Clean Energy (SDG7)
THEME IV – Practice Sustainable Development

Course organisation and supervision
The overall structure of the course and its thematic organisation have been developed by Ilda Mannino (TEN Program - Venice International University) in collaboration with Ignazio Musu (Ca’ Foscari University, TEN Program - Venice International University). Ilda Mannino is also coordinator of the course.
The course is organised around different thematic areas taught by Ilda Mannino and Ignazio Musu.

Course Requirements
Students will be expected to do the required readings and to attend class regularly. Attendance is compulsory for all students. Required readings will be designated on a weekly basis according to the themes listed in the course outline. Students will be also encouraged to find additional material for their final project by searching the Internet and accessing suggested websites.
Field trips and seminars related to the course can be arranged

Course evaluation
Module Essays – There will be a short essay requested to each student for each module – 55% of the final grade.
Final project – There will be a group research project to develop, to present in a written group report and through an oral presentation in class – 35% of the final grade.
Class participation – Overall class participation, in terms of both attendance and interaction, will count for 10% of the final grade.

Bibliography
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Last updated: November 20, 2024