Course Topics
New climatic registers, seasonal dependences, unseasonable weather, emerging realities, climate imagination, dynamic hybrids, translocality, socially-ecologically inclusive living space, resilient futures, more-than-human realities

Teaching format
Corresponding to the practice-oriented and theoretical elements of the course, teaching combines weekly studio critiques with reading and writing assignments, complemented by group discussions, input sessions, field trips, and reviews.

Educational objectives
Studio 1 Educational objectives Module 1 – Natures-Cultures: Research based Art and Design Integrate Ecocritical Perspectives into Artistic and Design Practices Enable students to develop personal projects that reflect a critical understanding of the relationship between nature and culture, addressing contemporary environmental challenges. Apply Research and Experimentation in Creative Processes Foster the ability to combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on experimentation to produce works that respond innovatively to ecological and cultural issues. Promote Environmental Awareness and Responsibility Encourage students to explore the role of artists and designers in promoting sustainability and ethical approaches to environmental problems. Develop Critical and Practical Skills Strengthen students’ capacity for critical thinking, visual articulation, and practical execution through continuous feedback and interaction. Produce Reflective and Impactful Creative Outcomes Support students in creating works that not only showcase technical and conceptual rigor but also provoke thought and dialogue on environmental sustainability. Module 2 – Ecocriticism Develop a Theoretical Understanding of Ecocritical Disciplines Provide students with a solid foundation in key ecocritical fields, including environmental philosophy, cultural and visual ecocriticism, ecofeminism, and indigenous ecocriticism. Analyze Interactions Between Art, Nature, and Culture Explore the complex relationships between artistic practices and natural or cultural contexts, fostering a critical awareness of their environmental implications. Engage with Authoritative Theories and Case Studies Enable students to critically study general theories, specific case studies, and scholarly bibliographies to build a rigorous and well-rounded understanding of ecocritical practices. Stimulate Critical Thinking Encourage students to develop independent critical judgment through dialogic seminars, group discussions, and individual assessments. Apply Ecocritical Perspectives to Contemporary Issues Equip students with the tools to analyze and interpret contemporary artistic and cultural phenomena through an ecocritical lens, promoting informed and reflective engagement with environmental challenges. Learning outcomes Knowledge and understanding Students of the course will: - know ecocritical theories and their applications in visual arts and design - have specific knowledge of artistic and design techniques that promote environmental sustainability - understand the processes of interaction between artistic practices and natural contexts, analysing them while considering the connections with other fields of knowledge, such as philosophy, sociology and environmental sciences. Applying knowledge and understanding Students of the course will: - conceive and implement artistic and design projects that respond to contemporary environmental challenges, using sustainable materials and ecological techniques; - develop initiatives that involve local and global communities, promoting greater awareness and action towards environmental sustainability; - collaborate with scientists, activists and other professionals to integrate interdisciplinary knowledge into artistic and design projects. Making judgments Module 1-2 Students of the course will: - apply the knowledge acquired in the professional context; - devise original projects that take into account the transformations induced by globalization and internationalization processes. Module 2 Students of the course will: - collect and interpret cultural and material data from the fields of art, design, technology and spatial and curatorial practices, demonstrating the ability to place events, works and production operations in the historical context and current trends; - grasp the authority and evaluate the reliability of the various available sources; - reflect and express an independent judgement, including on social, ethical and political-cultural issues; - interpret specific facts and events, within subject of their field of study. Communication skills: Module 1: Students of the course will: - use visual and multimedia tools to create engaging and informative presentations. - collaborate in teams and communicate effectively with colleagues and professionals from different disciplines Module 2: Students of the course will: - write scientific and technical articles and reports with clarity and effectiveness; - present projects and ideas verbally in a professional and convincing manner. Learning skills: The course is aimed at: - strengthening the critical and operational autonomy of students; - developing their ability to choose, compare and adapt to new knowledge and technologies.

Additional educational objectives and learning outcomes
Practical and theoretical investigation on ‘unseasonabilities’, reflecting on the dissonance between lived and imagined realities, desired and actual identities, between environments, landscapes and the human projections that aim to depict them.

Assessment
To pass the course successfully, both the practical and the theoretical components of the modules must be completed. Failure in either part results in failing the course, as both are integral to the overall investigation. Continuous development of the project, along with the completion of individual assignments on time, will be assessed throughout the semester. Participation in the mid-term and final presentations is part of the evaluation process. N.B. – ALL STUDENTS TAKING THE EXAM AS NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS MUST AGREE UPON THE CONTENT WITH THE LECTURER.

Evaluation criteria
Quality of research, authenticity of concept, completion of assignments throughout the semester, active participation and contribution to the collective investigation of the semester topic will form the basis for evaluation.