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Sustainability and Global Citizenship

Semester 2 · 64226 · Bachelor for Social Education · 10CP · EN · IT


The course offers an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability and global citizenship, integrating three complementary dimensions: pedagogical reflection on global competencies, the scientific foundations of environmental sustainability, and experiential educational design.
The pedagogical dimension explores sustainability as an educational paradigm, linking global citizenship, the ethics of responsibility and the development of transversal skills. The scientific dimension provides the ecological foundations for understanding how ecosystems function, the main environmental challenges and the impact of human action. The practical dimension translates this knowledge into concrete educational practices through the design of educational interventions aimed at coexistence among living beings, with a particular focus on ecological education and learning in contexts with varying degrees of naturalness.
The integration of these perspectives enables students to develop a systemic understanding of the relationships between environment, society and education, and to acquire theoretical and practical tools to promote sustainable educational practices.

Lecturers: Beate Christine Weyland, Monica Adriana Parricchi, Mita Drius

Teaching Hours: 48
Lab Hours: 20
Mandatory Attendance: In accordance with the regulation

Course Topics
See individual course modules

Teaching format
See the individual modules of the course

Educational objectives
Learning objectives - To understand the theoretical foundations of sustainability and global citizenship - To develop a critical awareness of environmental and social challenges - To acquire a basic understanding of ecological systems - To develop project management skills in the field of education - To promote sustainable and inclusive educational approaches Expected learning outcomes By the end of the course, students will be able to: - Be familiar with the institutional documents defining the concept of sustainability - Analyse environmental issues from an interdisciplinary perspective - Understand how ecosystems function and the main environmental challenges - Design educational initiatives focused on sustainability and coexistence - Apply active and outdoor methodologies in educational contexts

Assessment
Oral examination comprising: a theoretical discussion, a presentation of the project (group or individual), and a reflection, in particular, on the impact of one’s actions on the ecosystem.

Evaluation criteria
- Knowledge and understanding of the subject matter - Analytical and practical skills - Quality of educational planning - Clarity of presentation and command of language - Active participation

Required readings

See individual course modules




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Sustainable Development Goals
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals.

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Modules

Semester 2 · 64226A · Bachelor for Social Education · 4CP · IT

Module A — Sustainability and Global Competences

The module explores the main pedagogical approaches to education for sustainability and global citizenship, with particular attention to global competencies and the ethics of responsibility. It also examines the role of education in processes of social change and in the construction of sustainable and resilient futures, also in light of complexity theory.

Lecturers: Monica Adriana Parricchi

Teaching Hours: 24
Lab Hours: 0

Course Topics
- Education for sustainability: pedagogical approaches - Global citizenship: definitions and dimensions - Global competencies (international frameworks) - Ethics of responsibility - The role of education in social change - The future between sustainability and resilience: the role of complexity theory

Teaching format
Interactive class featuring slides, videos, research reports, articles, and documents drawn from books and journals. Flipped classroom, discussions, and work in small and large groups

Required readings

Birbes C., Bornatici S. (2023) La Terra che unisce. Lineamenti di pedagogia dell'ambiente, Mondadori



Semester 2 · 64226B · Bachelor for Social Education · 4CP · EN

Module B — Environmental sustainability and ecosystem conservation

Overview of the core principles of ecosystem conservation and environmental sustainability, with a focus on environmental threats, conservation strategies, and innovative educational approaches for analyzing and understanding ecosystems and their functions.

Lecturers: Mita Drius

Teaching Hours: 24
Lab Hours: 0

Semester 2 · 64226C · Bachelor for Social Education · 2CP · IT

Module C — Didactic Planning for Ecological and Outdoor Education (LAB)

The workshop explores the educational value of Green Competence, biophilia and plant awareness, highlighting the benefits of a connection with nature at different stages of life and promoting a pedagogy focused on coexistence among living beings. Through the analysis and design of experiences in real-world contexts, the workshop will explore the key players, activities and timing of educational initiatives, whilst also emphasising a playful approach to nature to foster the development of an emotional and affective connection with plants and the living world.

Lecturers: Beate Christine Weyland

Teaching Hours: 0
Lab Hours: 20

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