Important notice
The course guide is provisional.
The PDF version of the course guide may take a few days to become available in the DDD.
Interdisciplinary Concepts of Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability: Interdisciplinary Project
Code: 45781Credits: 9
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Interdisciplinary Studies in Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability | OB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Laura Talens Peiro
- Email :
- laura.talens@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Miquel Ninyerola Casals
- Jordi Cristobal Rosselló
- Sergio Villamayor Tomas
- Arnim Scheidel
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites.
Objectives
- To provide students with an integrative and critical vision of the theoretical and methodological foundations of ecological economics, industrial and urban ecology, and global change.
- To enable students to analyze complex sustainability problems and intervene in them from an interdisciplinary perspective.
- To understand the main concepts of ecological economics in order to diagnose sustainability problems with a critical and contextualized approach.
- To introduce the key concepts of industrial ecology to evaluate anthropogenic systems and propose strategies to reduce their environmental impact.
- To analyze the dimensions of global change, taking into account the interactions between climatic, biological and human factors at different scales.
- To develop methodological skills for the design and execution of projects applied in interdisciplinary teams, integrating territorial analysis tools and intervention proposals in environmental, economic and social sustainability.
Learning outcomes
- CA04 (Work collaboratively in multidisciplinary and international teams to address complex sustainability challenges, integrating the ethical, social and gender perspective.) Work collaboratively in multidisciplinary and international teams to address complex sustainability challenges, integrating the ethical, social and gender perspective.
- CA05 (Communicate the results of sustainability projects, adapting the message to different audiences.) Communicate the results of sustainability projects, adapting the message to different audiences.
- KA03 (Relate the application of the principles of industrial ecology with waste management in the design of interdisciplinary sustainability projects.) Relate the application of the principles of industrial ecology with waste management in the design of interdisciplinary sustainability projects.
- KA04 (Explain the dimensions of global change and its impact on how problems and solutions are addressed in sustainability projects in various ecosystems and natural spaces.) Explain the dimensions of global change and its impact on how problems and solutions are addressed in sustainability projects in various ecosystems and natural spaces.
- KA05 (Describe how the frameworks of ecological economics and political ecology determine the analysis and proposal of interventions in interdisciplinary projects.) Describe how the frameworks of ecological economics and political ecology determine the analysis and proposal of interventions in interdisciplinary projects.
- SA04 (Develop diagnostic and planning methodologies for the conceptualisation and design of interdisciplinary projects in the field of environmental, economic and social sustainability.) Develop diagnostic and planning methodologies for the conceptualisation and design of interdisciplinary projects in the field of environmental, economic and social sustainability.
- SA05 (Apply tools and methodologies, such as spatial and statistical analysis, when carrying out an interdisciplinary project based on a real territorial sustainability challenge.) Apply tools and methodologies, such as spatial and statistical analysis, when carrying out an interdisciplinary project based on a real territorial sustainability challenge.
- SA06 (Select the relevant actors for the execution of interdisciplinary projects in sustainability.) Select the relevant actors for the execution of interdisciplinary projects in sustainability.
Contents
The subject is structured around three major areas of knowledge:
Ecological Economics: The subject offers an introduction to Ecological Economics as understood in the so-called Barcelona School. His sessions introduce the conceptual and historical foundations of the ecological economy, social metabolism and its connections with environmental justice, the role of commons-based alternatives to development, the plurality of values and knowledge, degrowth, and political applications of the principles of the ecological economy.
Industrial and urban ecology: The subject offers an introduction to the circular economy, its schools of thought and the main policies promoted by the European Union. Circular economy action plans and their relationship with eco-design policies, sustainable products and critical materials are analysed. The principles of eco-design and the European regulatory framework applicable to products are also introduced. In addition, the main environmental tools Material Flow Analysis, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), carbon footprint and environmental certification systems are introduced.
Global Change: The subject offers an introduction to the main global change processes and their effects on ecosystems. It analyzes the dynamics of land cover and land use changes, the transformation of habitats and the consequences on biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems. Concepts and methodologies for the valorization of ecosystems are also presented, with special attention to the ecological, environmental and territorial factors that determine their state and evolution. In addition, tools and indicators are introduced for the analysis of environmental changes, their monitoring and support for the management and conservation of natural heritage in a context of global change.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field trip | 21 | 0.84 | CA04, KA03, KA04, KA05, SA04, SA05, SA06 |
| Individual and group work supervised by the teaching staff (field trip review and reflection). | 33 | 1.32 | CA04, CA05, KA03, KA04, KA05, SA04, SA05, SA06 |
| Completion of activities (final project and presentation) and independent study | 123 | 4.92 | CA04, CA05, KA03, KA04, KA05, SA04, SA05, SA06 |
| Lectures supported by ICT tools (including some formative assessment activities) | 42 | 1.68 | KA03, KA04, KA05 |
During the subject, the main concepts related to industrial ecology will be discussed to evaluate anthropogenic systems and minimize their negative effect on the planet.
The focus is interdisciplinary on the subsystems that make up terrestrial systems, with special attention to the detailed analysis of the dynamic interactions between their climatic, biological and anthropogenic components at multiple temporal and spatial scales.
The importance of assessing terrestrial systems through the study of vegetation and changes in land use is highlighted, offering a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics that drive global processes.
Environmental policy instruments and the main concepts developed by the theory of ecological economy and political ecology will also be discussed to diagnose sustainability problems from an interdisciplinary and critical point of view.
During the subject, a 3-day field trip will be carried out to work on the concepts explained in class and to develop the case studies for which a paper and a presentation will have to be made at the end of the subject. This part of the program is compulsory, it will take place outside the UAB but within the territory of Catalonia. The experience will offer the opportunity to acquire an integrated vision of the socio-ecological aspects involved in the high mountains and to attend explanations about the projects that are being developed in the area. At the same time, it will make it easier for the participating students to get to know each other better and start to collaborate and work together. The activities will take place in one of the natural spaces that the Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera (FC-LP) dedicates to teaching and research, MónNatura Pirineus located in Planes de Son, Pallars Sobirà (https://fundaciocatalunya-lapedrera.com/es/espacios-naturaleza/monnatura-pirineus).
In addition, students will participate in the design and execution of an applied project developed in interdisciplinary teams. This project will make it possible to apply analysis methodologies and develop territorial intervention proposals based on use cases linked to real challenges. The interdisciplinary approach will promote the integration of the key concepts of the three specialties of the master's.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-departure knowledge assessment (individual | 40% | 3 | 0.12 | KA03, KA04, KA05 |
| Course project (group) | 20% | 0 | 0 | CA04, KA03, KA05, SA04, SA05, SA06 |
| Presentation of the course project (group) | 40% | 3 | 0.12 | CA04, CA05, KA03, KA04, KA05, SA04, SA05, SA06 |
The evaluation of the subject is based on three main elements: the pre-departure knowledge exam, which is individual; the subject work, which is group work; and the oral presentation of the work, which is also group work. In order for the different parts of the evaluation to count towards the final grade, a minimum grade of 5 out of 10 must be obtained in all of them.
The pre-departure knowledge exam is scheduled for October 9th, and is mandatory and individual. In the event that the student does not appear for this test, a distinction will be made between justified and unjustified absence. If the absence is justified, the student will retake the exam on October 30th without any limitation on the maximum grade. On the other hand, if the absence is not justified, the student will be able to take the retake on October 30th, but the maximum grade they can obtain will be limited to 60% of the grade. If the course work and/or oral presentation are not passed, the student must complete a make-up assignment. In this case, the maximum grade obtained in this activity will be limited to 60% of the grade.
The field trip linked to the course is mandatory for all students, as it is part of the planned training and assessment activities. If the student is unable to attend, he or she must duly justify his or her absence in accordance with the criteria and deadlines established by the course teachers. Unjustified absence may lead to the corresponding academic consequences in relation to the assessment of the activities associated with the trip.
To pass the subject, it is necessary to have completed all the mandatory activities and to have passed all the assessment activities, including, where applicable, the corresponding make-up activities.by the subject's teaching staff. Unjustified lack of attendance may lead to the corresponding academic consequences in relation to the evaluation of the activities associated with the trip.
Plagiarism and improper use of AI
All work, activities and submissions in the subject may be subject to review using coincidence detection and authorship analysis tools, such as Turnitin and other digital resources to support verification, including comparative analysis of content and sources. In the event that plagiarism, copying, misappropriation of content, manipulation of sources or unauthorized use of generative artificial intelligence tools are detected in the preparation of the evaluation evidence, this will lead to the failure of the subject and may lead to the opening of the corresponding academic or disciplinary file, in accordance with the current regulations of the center and the university. The detection of evidence through these tools will not, in any case, replace the academic assessment of the teaching staff, who will be the one to determine the existence of the irregularity after the relevant review.
In relation to the use of artificial intelligence in this subject and according to the UAB regulations (https://www.uab.cat/doc/InformacioRellevantGuiesDocents), the third model of the use of AI has been chosen, which is:
Permitted use: the use of AI is permitted as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution from the student, especially in the analysis and personal reflection. Likewise, it is necessary to clearly declare which parts have been generated with AI, which tools have been used and what influence they have had on the work. If this use is not declared, it may lead to penalties or sanctions.
Note on possible irregularities: In the event that the student carries out any irregularity that could lead to a significant variation in the grade of an assessment act, this assessment act must be graded 0, regardless of the disciplinary process that may be instructed. In the event that several irregularities occur in the assessment acts of the same subject, the final grade for this subject is 0.
Bibliography
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Software
GIS software (MiraMon)
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | English | annual | afternoon |
| (PCAMm) Field practices (master) | 1 | English | annual | morning-mixed |
| (PCAMm) Field practices (master) | 2 | English | annual | morning-mixed |