Environmental Studies

This course examines needs and inter-dependencies of all beings; the diverse ways humans meet their needs through material and non-material means and the ecological and social consequences of this for humans and other beings; the economic, social and political norms that shape the ways we meet our needs; and the ethical and disciplinary frameworks through which the sustainability of human-environmental relationships can be assessed.

Slow Food is a movement whose philosophy is defined by three interconnected principles: good, clean, fair - where “slower/better” is promoted over “faster/cheaper.” This course examines how Slow Food started initially as a protest against McDonalds opening in Rome to igniting a global revolution in such diverse sectors as tourism, education, and city planning. The course studies how Slow Food governance advocates ecological and political awareness, equitable food policy, and sustainable practices that are not only good for the planet, but as the commercial success of Eataly has demonstrated, business as well. Through case studies such as Eataly, but also visits to local farms and interviews with local producers and distributers, the course examines how Slow Food philosophy intersects with business practices. This course aims to assess what happens when the tenets of sustainability, responsibility, and sharing are combined with the value proposition to provide a unique cultural experience that exports the Italian way of life on a global scale. What is the bottom line: has tradition met innovation, or exploitation? 

This course offers an introduction to the study of climate and society. The course utilizes a strong multidisciplinary approach and is open to students of several disciplines. The course's structure mirrors the structure used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC). The IPPC recently released a new series of reports on the physics of the climate system, adaption strategies and mitigation strategies, as well as a synthesis report. The course examines these reports and strategies by the IPPC through a wide scope of lecturers. The course discusses topics including physics of the climate system, adaptation, mitigation, economical aspects, legal aspects, political aspects, and anthropology. The course consists of oral lectures, exercises, work groups and discussion sections, and a short examination. There are no prerequisites for this course.

This course studies environmental ethics, with a focus on reasoned arguments regarding our handling of, dealing with, and behavior towards nature and the environment. It introduces concrete analysis tools emerging from classical ethical theories and environmental philosophy; anthropocentrism and the various alternatives; and the notions of nature and the natural, risk, equality and justice, value pluralism, and the different needs for relating through nature in physical, aesthetical, and existential ways. The course utilizes environmental ethical issues of contemporary concern as case studies, in the context of both Euro-American and developing countries, in order to uncover, understand, and structure relevant knowledge and ethical issues to address professional challenges related to environments and society. Case study topics include climate change, animal production, biodiversity conservation, sustainability and human well-being, wildlife management, genetically modified crops, and ecological restoration. This course consists of an integrated mix of lectures, exercises, and discussions, including quizzes, votes, panel debates, student presentations, guest lecturers, and films. Through exercises, discussions, and assignment work, it explores various approaches to identifying, assessing, and approaching ethical dilemmas in relation to environmental decision-making.