POPULATION ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINIBILITY

The main aim of this course is to provide the students with a view of the geopolitical relevance of population and sustainability issues, making them able to use notions and tools from different disciplines in social science discussions and research. The basic skills to be assessed are the following ones: 1. ability to grasp and understand data, concepts and philosophical principles and dilemmas relevant to issues concerning demography, environmental ethics and politics, sustainability studies 2. ability to apply the acquired knowledge and understanding to policy issues 3. development of critical skills and autonomous judgmental capacities, also in view of framing policy suggestions and solutions 4. learning skills, i.e., ability to conduct research on academic texts and journals, or through the collection and analysis of data 5. team working skills 6. capacity to give articulate oral and written expression to critical analytical thinking, in a thesis-driven, analytical essay format.

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Knowledge and understanding This class aims to present data, concepts, philosophical principles and dilemmas relevant to issues concerning demography, environmental ethics and politics, and sustainability studies. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding Knowledge and understanding of the principles of geography, demography, environmental ethics, and sustainability studies are fundamental for anyone intending to work in political institutions, NGOs, and international governmental organisations. These skills are achieved through teaching and teaching methods, including frontal lessons, seminar lessons, project work, and case analysis. Competence checks are carried out through final and intermediate exams. The teaching activity occurs in a dynamic context based on the partnership between teachers and learners. The active role of the students is guaranteed not only in the learning process but also in the evaluation process. Autonomous judgment At the end of this course, the student can integrate knowledge and analysis of the complexity of environmental issues, seen from an ethical and political point of view, to identify the problems and indicate their solutions, including shared solutions, by the integration of data and empirical research, and by employing specific conceptual apparatus. The student will have the critical tools to understand the dynamics and ethical aspects of environmental change and elaborate policy responses or strategies. This ability will be achieved through traditional teaching and participation in seminars, guest lectures, guided discussion of case studies, and the implementation of project works. Autonomy will be assessed through written tests and drafts of comments on topics to be studied in depth. In addition, the assignment of projects such as analysing real-life cases will enhance the capacity to collect and process up-to-date data and information. The student will, therefore, acquire a set of tools but also an aptitude to apply them independently and originally analyse the problems in their prospective workplace. Learning skills The student can deepen his/her knowledge autonomously. In particular, he/she can: - a) elaborate and use her knowledge in discussions; - b) research academic texts and journals or through the collection and analysis of data; - d) organise and manage work (teamwork, coordination of resources, supervision of work and time management, innovation in problem solving, flexibility of reasoning, ability to adapt to change and negotiating attitude). The strengthening of cultural skills (multidisciplinary and deepening of linguistic knowledge) corresponds to the strengthening of personal skills, such as the ability to write and speak correctly in English, the ability to speak in public (through the presentation of findings and ideas by students during the lessons); the ability to conduct research; the ability to be constantly updated.

This course focuses on the interrelation between demography, ecology, environmental ethics and sustainability studies. In particular, the class will deal with issues concerning the Anthropocene, population evolution and environmental migration, energy, biodiversity, urbanisation, environmental governance and climate justice.

• Prof. Giordano’s part: McNeill, J. R., & Engelke, P. (2016). The great acceleration: An environmental history of the Anthropocene since 1945. Harvard University Press. • Prof. Pellegrino’s part: Attfield, R. (2024). The ethics of the climate crisis. Polity Press. • Additional book for non-attending students: Broome, J. (2012). Climate Matters. Ethics in a Warming World. W. W. Norton & Company.

The course employs lectures and seminars to equip students with the necessary skills to critically analyse environmental and sustainability issues. It is structured as follows: • Prof. Giordano’s classes will combine theoretical lectures with applied seminars focusing on spatial and demographic dynamics related to environmental and sustainability challenges. Students will explore how population trends, resource distribution, and territorial processes shape contemporary issues through data analysis and discussions. Active participation is expected, and reading the assigned materials is essential. • Prof. Pellegrino’s classes will develop conceptual frameworks and foster critical inquiry into sustainability's ethical, political, and philosophical dimensions. Lectures will introduce key theories, while debates will challenge students to analyse normative approaches, dilemmas, and conflicting perspectives on environmental responsibility. Active engagement is required, and reading the assigned materials is essential.

The final grade for the course will be based on two in-class written tests, each worth 50% of the total grade. Both tests will consist of three open-ended questions chosen by the student from a total of nine. The evaluation will consider clarity, depth of analysis, and use of course concepts. Tests and Grading • Test 1 (Midterm – Prof. Giordano’s part): The midterm will be held on 19 March. It is highly recommended that you take it. If you miss it, for whatever reason, you will not have another opportunity to take it. • Test 2 (Final – Prof. Pellegrino’s part): Open to all students. • Students who take both tests will have their final grade calculated as an average of both scores (50% midterm + 50% final). • Students who do not take the midterm will have their final grade entirely determined by the final test (100% of the grade). Non-Attending Students • Non-attending students will take a written exam at the end of the course. • The exam format remains the same (three open-ended questions out of nine). • Non-attending students are required to study one additional book. Failure to comply with the exam rules, including unauthorized consultation of materials, will result in a zero on the test and may be subject to further academic consequences. For more details on the assessment rules please refer to the course learn page.

- Active attendance at the course; - Quality and interest of the proposed research topic for the thesis.