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

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