Sustainability in the Mediterranean and Ecology and the Environment in Spain (in English)

Universidad de Granada

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Sustainability in the Mediterranean and Ecology and the Environment in Spain (in English)

  • Host University

    Universidad de Granada

  • Location

    Granada, Spain

  • Area of Study

    Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Environmental Sustainability, European Studies

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

    Hours & Credits

  • Contact Hours

    45
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    3
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    4
  • Overview

    This course combines the following two 22.5-hour elective subjects:

    - Sustainability in the Mediterranean (in English)
    - Ecology and the Environment in Spain (in English)

    Please refer to the syllabi in the individual subjects for more course information. Students who chose to take both of the above courses concurrently will have the option of having the course title "Sustainability in the Mediterranean and Ecology and the Environment in Spain" appear on their transcript as a 45-hour course rather than having two courses of 22.5 hours each appear on the transcript.

     

    GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
    This survey course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive 
    approach to local self-sustainable practices, models and cultures in the 
    Mediterranean region. Through revising bibliographic references and local case 
    studies, students will understand the basics of traditional and innovative local 
    self-sustainable projects in the Mediterranean context. Students will also 
    identify and compare the community practices and local governance in the 
    Mediterranean region, contrasting the city and rural landscape configurations in 
    the Mediterranean region, especially those related to the local self-sustainable 
    development. They also will identify and explain in situ the processes and 
    resistances that are influencing the local sustainability of Granada and its 
    surroundings.
    GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN SPAIN
    The aim is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge through the analysis 
    of the major environmental problems in Spain, their contextualisation at a 
    global level and in a historical perspective. The causes of the current situation 
    will be discussed, as well as future prospects and possible avenues for 
    intervention. Through case studies, the aim is to give the student the ability to 
    understand the potential, risks, opportunities and impacts linked to the Spanish 
    environmental framework. These objectives will be achieved not only through 
    theoretical classes, but also through field trips.


    CONTENTS OF SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
    Unit 1. Concept of environment
    Unit 2. The ecological crisis
    Unit 3. The Mediterranean region: environmental features and boundaries
    Unit 4. Introduction to Mediterranean environmental conflicts
    Unit 5. Sustainability approaches
    Unit 6. Energy transition 
    Unit 7. Water & waste management 
    Unit 8. Food and farming
    Unit 9. Natural protected areas
    Unit 10. Urban sustainability
    Unit 11. Sustainable experiences in the Mediterranean Spain: La Vega de 
    Granada
    CONTENTS OF ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN SPAIN
    Unit 1. Delimitation of the concept of environment: interpretations, uses and 
    meanings.
    Unit 2. Introduction to the potential and limitations of the natural environment 
    in Spain: natural resources and environmental hazards.
    Unit 3. The metabolism of the Spanish economy: the unsustainability of the 
    productive fabric and the development model.
    Unit 4. Climate change in Spain: local manifestation of a global problem.
    Unit 5. The water problem in Spain.
    Unit 6. Towards an energy transition? Conventional model vs renewable 
    energies.
    Unit 7. The transformation of the landscape in Spain and its environmental 
    consequences.
    Unit 8. The protection of ecological values and biodiversity: protected natural 
    spaces.


     METHODOLOGY
    • Theoretical classes
    • Practical classes, seminars and fieldwork
    • Commitment and involvement for the individual tutorial plan
    • Self-learning activities
    • Activities of individual practical works
    • Practical teamwork activities


    EVALUATION
    1. Midterm exam (30%) about the contents of first ½ of the course 
    (multiple choice, with 25 questions) 
    2. Final paper and class presentation (40%): 
    3. Participative attendance in the fieldwork (20%).
    4. Activities and participation (10%). This assignment includes readings 
    and short essays about papers, texts and presentations given in the 
    course

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