Course Description
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Course Name
Sustainability in the Mediterranean and Ecology and the Environment in Spain (in English)
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Host University
Universidad de Granada
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Location
Granada, Spain
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Area of Study
Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Environmental Sustainability, European Studies
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Language Level
Taught In English
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Contact Hours
45 -
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits3
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Recommended U.S. Quarter Units4
Hours & Credits
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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