The course aims to provide students with the following competences: D1-KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: to develop interdisciplinary skills on environmental issues and understanding of the environmental crisis issues and to distinguish between different approaches in participatory research for the involvement of stakeholders. D2-APPLIYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: to acquire critical skills in dealing with complex environmental issues and to develop methodological and theoretical tools aimed at promoting sustainability at human, social, economic, and environmental level. D3-MAKING JUDGMENTS: to develop the ability to understand texts of different nature (scientific, divulgative, reporting) and to develop original reflections supported by a substantial body of reference literature on the two modules of the courses. D4-COMMUNICATION SKILLS: to discuss in class theoretical and methodological constructs coming from the literature, demonstrating conceptual accuracy, as well as to present the results of their own class activities. D5-LEARNING SKILLS: to find relevant sources and secondary literature and to use them in an appropriate manner, as well as to work in groups, building with other students and the teacher a learning community.

There are no prerequisites. It is advisable to know the main notions of sociology and social research.

Module "Co-design of digital innovations for sustainability and inclusion". The module presents the main research approaches in participatory research, referring to methods and techniques aimed at involving stakeholders in the design of technological innovations for the promotion of sustainability at human, social, economic and environmental level. The second module will address the issues of the social construction of sustainability, the society-nature relationship, the tension between expert and contextual knowledge, environmental conflicts and local community involvement processes through the use of audio-visual materials. Module "Stakeholder engagement for inclusive and sustainable communities". The module will investigate the difficult relationship between environment and society, addressing some relevant issues, such as environmental conflicts, the relationship between development and environmental conservation, the defining problems of sustainability, and the relationship between forms of living and environmental crisis.

For course materials, refer to each module’s syllabus.

The course will feature a combination of teaching methods (i.e., lectures with multimedia support, case studies presentations, seminars by external experts and lab sessions).

For the exam of individual modules, refer to each module’s syllabus. The final grade of the course will be the average of the grades obtained for each module. Overall, students will pass the test if their final grade is equal or above 18/30.

The course will address the following SDGs of the Agenda 2030: 4. Quality education 7. Affordable and clean energy 9. Industry innovation and infrastructure 10. Reducing inequalities 11. Sustainable cities and communities 13. Climate action