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COURSE DETAIL

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE FUTURE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
Country
Italy
Host Institution
UC Center, Sicily
Program(s)
Environmental Science in Sicily
UCEAP Course Level
Upper Division
UCEAP Subject Area(s)
Geography Environmental Studies
UCEAP Course Number
120
UCEAP Course Suffix
UCEAP Official Title
CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE FUTURE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
UCEAP Transcript Title
CLMT CHNG MEDITERAN
UCEAP Quarter Units
4.50
UCEAP Semester Units
3.00
Course Description

This course explores the intersection of climate change and other contemporary global environmental challenges and the future of the Mediterranean. Students gain an understanding of Mediterranean geographies, environments, and societies, along with past and future climate trends. The course examines the potential impacts of 21st-century climate change on ecosystems, human well-being, and social systems. The course provides an analysis of similar ecosystems across the globe that face climate-related challenges, and of the national and transnational policies that are or are not in place not only in the Mediterranean basin but also in locations such as in California, Australia, Chile, and South Africa.

Key topics include the fundamentals of climate science, relationships between human and natural systems (such as water supplies, agriculture, public health, and biodiversity), and the law, politics, and societal debates as pertain to possible solutions to reduce the magnitude and impacts of climate change. By studying these issues in the context of Sicily, students develop insights into global climate challenges and localized responses. The course also provides a historical perspective on Sicily’s environmental and social changes over time. Students explore how the region's long history of cultural and political shifts has shaped its environmental practices and adaptation strategies. Additionally, the course addresses the growing issue of climate-induced migration to Sicily, examining its impacts and the region’s ability to adapt to these growing population movements.

Language(s) of Instruction
English
Host Institution Course Number
Host Institution Course Title
CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE FUTURE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
Host Institution Campus
UC Sicily Center
Host Institution Faculty
Host Institution Degree
Host Institution Department

COURSE DETAIL

AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Country
Italy
Host Institution
UC Center, Sicily
Program(s)
Environmental Science in Sicily
UCEAP Course Level
Upper Division
UCEAP Subject Area(s)
Environmental Studies Biological Sciences Agricultural Sciences
UCEAP Course Number
116
UCEAP Course Suffix
UCEAP Official Title
AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
UCEAP Transcript Title
AG FOOD & SUSTNBLTY
UCEAP Quarter Units
4.50
UCEAP Semester Units
3.00
Course Description

This course provides an interdisciplinary exploration of sustainable agriculture, food systems, and ecological practices within the context of the Mediterranean, with a specific focus on Sicily. Students engage with ecological concepts and principles fundamental to designing and managing sustainable agroecosystems, with a whole systems approach encompassing the multiple dimensions of sustainability. Local engagement is aimed at enhancing students’ critical thinking about global food systems, the SDGs and sustainable agricultural practices.

In addition to the core focus on sustainable agriculture and food systems, this course provides a deeper historical and environmental framing, exploring the long-standing cultural overlays that have shaped Sicily’s agricultural practices. Students examine the island's ecological history and agricultural evolution under indigenous, Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman and Spanish influences, while gaining insight into how historical globalization has impacted local food systems. Special attention is given to the role of commodity trade over time and its influence on current agricultural structures.

Language(s) of Instruction
English
Host Institution Course Number
Host Institution Course Title
AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Host Institution Campus
UC Sicily Center
Host Institution Faculty
Host Institution Degree
Host Institution Department

COURSE DETAIL

MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND FIELD STUDIES
Country
Italy
Host Institution
UC Center, Sicily
Program(s)
Environmental Science in Sicily
UCEAP Course Level
Upper Division
UCEAP Subject Area(s)
Environmental Studies Earth & Space Sciences Biological Sciences Anthropology
UCEAP Course Number
112
UCEAP Course Suffix
UCEAP Official Title
MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND FIELD STUDIES
UCEAP Transcript Title
MEDITER FIELD STUDY
UCEAP Quarter Units
4.50
UCEAP Semester Units
3.00
Course Description

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, with its diverse landscapes — ranging from Mt. Etna’s volcanic geology and coastal marine biodiversity to rural agricultural practices and conservation areas — offers a unique and comprehensive setting for immersive ecological and environmental field studies. This course will engage with key topics such as the natural history and ecology of Mediterranean island environments, the geological processes that shape the landscape, perspectives on human-environment interactions, and the oceanographic dynamics that influence coastal and marine habitats.

Language(s) of Instruction
English
Host Institution Course Number
Host Institution Course Title
MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND FIELD STUDIES
Host Institution Campus
UC Sicily Center
Host Institution Faculty
Host Institution Degree
Host Institution Department

COURSE DETAIL

FIELD METHODS IN EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES: CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECT
Country
Italy
Host Institution
UC Center, Sicily
Program(s)
Environmental Science in Sicily
UCEAP Course Level
Upper Division
UCEAP Subject Area(s)
Environmental Studies Earth & Space Sciences
UCEAP Course Number
186
UCEAP Course Suffix
UCEAP Official Title
FIELD METHODS IN EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES: CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECT
UCEAP Transcript Title
RESEARCH PROJECT
UCEAP Quarter Units
4.50
UCEAP Semester Units
3.00
Course Description

This field-based research project course engages in all stages of earth and environmental science field investigations and allows students to gain an understanding of different research methodologies: from design to implementation, through collection and analysis of data that addresses specific research questions, identified independently by each student. The course also allows students to experience collaborative research work with clear objectives and milestones. Students draw upon the knowledge and practical skills gained during the “Volcanology of the Mediterranean” course to identify case-studies and research themes of interest to study in-depth, choosing from the wide range of geological and man-made processes and environments which students are exposed to throughout the program. During the results interpretation stage the attention is focused on developing skills for reporting field results in the format of scientific publications. While the majority of the research work is self-directed, a research advisor is assigned to each student, who provides guidance during scheduled appointments on how to locate resources and collect data, as well as review the appropriateness and feasibility of the research methods and tools in a collaborative manner with the student. Earth science and Environmental science disciplines are grounded in observations at all scales, from satellite and drone imagery to microscopic sampling; upon placing the results of such observations into geographic, spatial, and temporal frameworks, conclusions may be drawn about the processes that occur within complex environmental systems, and predictive models may be developed to assess the effect of human interactions. This course provides students with an opportunity to practice and hone key skills in gathering and analyzing data from primary sources, as well as developing a coherent and compelling argument in a scholarly manner.

Language(s) of Instruction
English
Host Institution Course Number
Host Institution Course Title
FIELD METHODS IN EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES: CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECT
Host Institution Campus
UC Center, Sicily
Host Institution Faculty
Host Institution Degree
Host Institution Department
Accent

COURSE DETAIL

VOLCANOLOGY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN: MT. ETNA AND THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS REVEALED
Country
Italy
Host Institution
UC Center, Sicily
Program(s)
Environmental Science in Sicily
UCEAP Course Level
Upper Division
UCEAP Subject Area(s)
Environmental Studies Earth & Space Sciences
UCEAP Course Number
111
UCEAP Course Suffix
UCEAP Official Title
VOLCANOLOGY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN: MT. ETNA AND THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS REVEALED
UCEAP Transcript Title
VOLCANOLOGY IN MED
UCEAP Quarter Units
4.50
UCEAP Semester Units
3.00
Course Description

This course explores the many aspects of volcanism on Earth, from the formation of magma below or within the crust to its eruption at the surface, focusing on the volcanism of Mt. Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in the world and a perfect natural laboratory thanks to its peculiar characteristics. The different types of eruptive styles of volcanoes are described and explained within their geological and tectonic contexts, with an additional focus on their impact on the local ecosystem and on human activities in the region, through multiple case studies and in-class discussions. A geological excursion to the Aeolian Islands volcanic archipelago provides an opportunity to further explore modern volcano monitoring techniques, with a particular focus on geophysical and geochemical methods, and of implementing data collection into a research project. This course provides students, through a combination of classroom and field-based learning, with knowledge on geophysical, geochemical and petrological monitoring methods of active volcanoes, on the techniques and strategies for analyzing and modeling monitoring data and on their use for the purpose of assessing volcanic hazard. In addition to the lectures, the students are engaged in practical exercises on instrumentation and modeling methods. The field trips and site visits also provide context to devote specific attention to the impact of volcanic eruptions on human activities and life, unveiling the close interplay between man and volcanoes around the world and throughout history.

Language(s) of Instruction
English
Host Institution Course Number
Host Institution Course Title
VOLCANOLOGY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN: MT. ETNA AND THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS REVEALED
Host Institution Campus
UC Center, Sicily
Host Institution Faculty
Host Institution Degree
Host Institution Department
Accent
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