ID:
511143
Durata (ore):
40
CFU:
6
SSD:
SOCIOLOGIA DEI PROCESSI ECONOMICI E DEL LAVORO
Anno:
2025
Dati Generali
Periodo di attività
Secondo Semestre (23/02/2026 - 29/05/2026)
Syllabus
Obiettivi Formativi
Biodiversity consists of the variety of animals, plants and microorganisms within any part of the world. It refers to various elements of the natural environment, such as air, water, and land, involves different spatial scales, from the very large to the very little, and different human settlements including both cities and rural areas. Biodiversity is, on the one hand, exposed to risks and threats resulting from pollution and climate change, but, on the other hand, it strongly influences human health and well-being as it results in a higher quality of the environment and a better health of the human population living in it.
Preserving and restoring biodiversity is one of the main challenges for the future of humankind and the planet Earth. Pursuing these goals entails a wide range of human activities at the social, economic and political levels.
The course aims to introduce the topic of biodiversity into the Social Sciences for Global Challenges study program focusing especially on the actors and actions preserving and restoring it.
At the end of the course students should have a general understanding of biodiversity, its determinants, and its consequences, a first knowledge of the actors and actions dealing with it and be able to detect relevant aspects connected to biodiversity in their immediate social context.
Preserving and restoring biodiversity is one of the main challenges for the future of humankind and the planet Earth. Pursuing these goals entails a wide range of human activities at the social, economic and political levels.
The course aims to introduce the topic of biodiversity into the Social Sciences for Global Challenges study program focusing especially on the actors and actions preserving and restoring it.
At the end of the course students should have a general understanding of biodiversity, its determinants, and its consequences, a first knowledge of the actors and actions dealing with it and be able to detect relevant aspects connected to biodiversity in their immediate social context.
Prerequisiti
No prerequisites are required to attend the course, however the knowledge of basic notions of sociology, economics, history, law and biology acquired in upper secondary schools will favor a fruitful and active participation of students in the lessons.
Metodi didattici
The course consists of:
• Lectures, with opportunities for interaction
• Seminars, requiring active student participation
• Practicals and case studies, possibly including guest speakers and applied examples related to biodiversity preservation, restoration and valorisation
• Lectures, with opportunities for interaction
• Seminars, requiring active student participation
• Practicals and case studies, possibly including guest speakers and applied examples related to biodiversity preservation, restoration and valorisation
Verifica Apprendimento
Student assessment is based on students’ participation in seminars and practicals, and a written exam at the end of the course. The exam consists of two parts: a multiple-choice test and two questions with short open answers. It lasts one hour. Students receiving compensatory measures are granted additional time to respond. The final grade, expressed out of thirtieths, is calculated based on the scores of the two parts, which are given equal weight
Testi
Readings and other materials will be provided in class and will be uploaded on the KIRO e-learning platform page of the course. As a general reference book students may refer to:
Kevin J. Gaston, John I. Spicer, Biodiversity: An Introduction (2nd Edition), Wiley-Blackwell, 2013.
Kevin J. Gaston, John I. Spicer, Biodiversity: An Introduction (2nd Edition), Wiley-Blackwell, 2013.
Contenuti
The course is divided into two parts. The first is dedicated to a general introduction to biodiversity, the second presents the actors and the activities preserving and restoring biodiversity in different domains. They are organized as follows:
Part I – Introduction to Biodiversity
• Concept, dimensions and scales of biodiversity
• Biodiversity's value and its relevance for human wellbeing
• Pressures and threats (pollution, climate change, land use)
• Social and economic impacts of biodiversity loss
• Links between biodiversity, science and research (with a focus on social research)
Part II – Actors and Processes for Biodiversity
Economic domain:
• Companies engaged in biodiversity protection, conservation and restoration
• Firms relying on biodiversity as a productive resource
• Emerging professional profiles and skills related to biodiversity-enhancing activities
Political domain:
• Institutional actors at supranational, national, regional and local levels
• Policies and governance frameworks for biodiversity conservation and restoration
Social domain:
• Public opinion and civic engagement
• Collective action and the social valorisation of biodiversity
Course’s contents are largely based on the activities of the National Biodiversity Future Center, a research structure supported by the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan within the frame of the European program Next Generation EU and largely refers to the Italian case as Italy is the country with the largest biodiversity heritage in Europe.
Part I – Introduction to Biodiversity
• Concept, dimensions and scales of biodiversity
• Biodiversity's value and its relevance for human wellbeing
• Pressures and threats (pollution, climate change, land use)
• Social and economic impacts of biodiversity loss
• Links between biodiversity, science and research (with a focus on social research)
Part II – Actors and Processes for Biodiversity
Economic domain:
• Companies engaged in biodiversity protection, conservation and restoration
• Firms relying on biodiversity as a productive resource
• Emerging professional profiles and skills related to biodiversity-enhancing activities
Political domain:
• Institutional actors at supranational, national, regional and local levels
• Policies and governance frameworks for biodiversity conservation and restoration
Social domain:
• Public opinion and civic engagement
• Collective action and the social valorisation of biodiversity
Course’s contents are largely based on the activities of the National Biodiversity Future Center, a research structure supported by the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan within the frame of the European program Next Generation EU and largely refers to the Italian case as Italy is the country with the largest biodiversity heritage in Europe.
Lingua Insegnamento
INGLESE
Altre informazioni
No other information.
Corsi
Corsi
3 anni
No Results Found
Persone
Persone (2)
No Results Found