Environmental Studies

This course explores the articulation between environmental attitudes and worldviews and how they contribute to shaping green political action in a context where the imminence of a global ecological crisis (global warming, threats on biodiversity, scarcity of resources) is no longer in question. The course covers a diversity of social sciences approaches: how conceptions of nature shape our attitudes to its enjoyment, understanding, and exploitation; the challenges to environmentally friendly public policies at the national, the European, and the international levels, including; the role of individuals from collective mobilization to the emergence of the “citizen-consumer”; the parliamentary and the extra-parliamentary strategies of environmental movements and of the counter-movements, in the EU and beyond.

This course introduces economic concepts and theories for analyzing and evaluating sustainable development and practices. Students examine causes and potential solutions to environmental and social degradation, and learn the value of these services. Students also study the functions of businesses, governments and civic groups and the role of sustainable development.

This course examines tree breeding and conservation in the context of applied breeding programs. It connects elements of economics, quantitative genetics and tree multiplication practices for the design of tree improvement projects and the conservation of their genetic resources.

The course is designed to equip students with experience, knowledge, and skills for succeeding in globally interdependent and culturally diverse workplaces. During the course, students are challenged to question, reflect upon, and respond thoughtfully to the issues they observe and encounter in the internship setting and local host environment. Professional and personal development skills as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), such as critical thinking, teamwork, and diversity are cultivated. Assignments focus on building a portfolio that highlights those competencies and their application to workplace skills. The hybrid nature of the course allows students to develop their skills in a self-paced environment with face-to-face meetings and check-ins to frame their intercultural internship experience. Students complete 45 hours of in-person and asynchronous online learning activities and 225-300 hours at the internship placement.