Economics for Environment, culture and tourism

VANESSA GIANNETTI

The course aims to provide students with knowledge of the relationships between natural resources, productive activities, and sustainable development from a circular economy perspective, with the goal of redesigning production and consumption systems to promote regeneration and minimize waste.
By the end of the course, students will be able to evaluate environmental policies and understand the value of responsible behavior by exploring the key concepts of the environment and the ecological transition, with particular attention to the UN 2030 Agenda Goals and the European Green Deal.
The course seeks to develop skills for analyzing issues such as ecological crisis, environmental risk, waste management, energy transition, and sustainable tourism. Students will learn to apply interdisciplinary knowledge, formulate critical judgments, use appropriate technical language, and communicate environmental topics effectively.
Active participation and in-class discussion are strongly encouraged. Finally, the course promotes autonomous lifelong learning and the ability to design and develop innovative projects and ideas in the field of sustainability.

By the end of the course, students must demonstrate that they: Understand the relationships between natural resources and the development of productive activities. Evaluate the short- and long-term impacts of policies implemented by stakeholders in sustainable resource management. Have developed a critical awareness of sustainability issues (environmental, social, and economic) and the value of adopting sustainable lifestyles and collective behaviors.
The expected learning outcomes are articulated according to the five Dublin Descriptors:
1. Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to: Illustrate the fundamental concepts of the environmental system and natural resources within the context of globalization and sustainable development. Analyze international, European, and national sustainability strategies, contextualizing environmental policy instruments and environmental accounting indicators. Describe the evolution of the global energy system, ecological transition trends, and the dynamics of transitioning toward a circular economy in production systems. Identify the role of digital technologies in planning resilient urban models and enhancing sustainability in the tourism sector. Outline human-environment interrelationships across various socio-economic and cultural contexts, using subject-specific terminology.
2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to: Apply theoretical sustainability frameworks to interpret and propose concrete solutions to contemporary environmental problems. Structure projects, research, and interventions of a socio-territorial and educational nature. Formulate evidence-based arguments to promote sustainable lifestyles and behaviors. Work effectively within interdisciplinary teams to analyze the sustainability of a specific territory or productive activity.
3. Making Judgements
Students will be able to: Critically interpret data regarding ecological processes (in environmental, economic, and social domains) to guide sustainable development initiatives. Evaluate strategic documents, reports, and industry regulations, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Select the most appropriate research and analysis methodologies based on the specific territorial or application context. Formulate independent judgements and informed reflections on the socio-economic implications of environmental decisions.
4. Communication Skills
Students will be able to: Communicate issues related to natural resource management using appropriate technical terminology. Present arguments and potential solutions concerning natural balances to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. Engage in critical debate with peers, presenting logical arguments backed by empirical evidence.
5. Learning Skills
Students will be able to: Independently monitor regulatory and scientific developments in the environmental field using official and authoritative sources. Consult and comprehend specialized scientific literature and international reports for continuous professional development. Integrate field observation and empirical analysis as essential tools for studying socio-environmental phenomena. Develop autonomous research paths and project proposals within the field of sustainability.

No specific prior knowledge is required to understand the course content and achieve the learning outcomes. However, for active and effective participation in class activities, students are strongly encouraged to stay consistently updated on current issues related to key contemporary environmental, social, and economic challenges.

Course Objectives
The course aims to provide the fundamental knowledge required to understand the relationships between natural resources, production activities, and sustainable development within a circular economy framework, offering practical tools to redesign production and consumption systems toward resource regeneration and waste reduction.
Through the analysis of key contemporary challenges—such as the ecological crisis, waste management, energy transition, and sustainable tourism—the course enables students to develop a critical capacity to evaluate environmental policies, with specific reference to the UN 2030 Agenda and the European Green Deal.
Based on active student participation and continuous classroom discussion, the learning path allows students to acquire appropriate technical vocabulary, apply an interdisciplinary approach, and develop independent judgment. Finally, the course fosters self-directed learning skills and the ability to design innovative solutions in the field of sustainability.

The study material, prepared by the professor, is available at the "Centro Copie Universitario" (Via Borelli 15, Rome) and is sufficient to ensure complete preparation for the exam.

The course is structured around interactive lectures designed to encourage active student participation and collaborative discussion on the topics covered. Teaching activities will be complemented by the presentation and analysis of audiovisual materials, used to stimulate reflection and provide empirical context for the course content.

Class attendance is strongly recommended. Regular presence in class and active participation in discussions serve as fundamental support for achieving the learning outcomes of the course.

The exam consists of a 40-minute written test designed to assess the acquisition of the knowledge and skills outlined in the course learning outcomes.
The test comprises 25–30 questions covering all the main topics of the syllabus, structured as follows: multiple-choice questions; True/False questions; short open-ended questions.
Attendance and active participation in lectures and class discussions are valued elements that will positively contribute to the final grade.
There are no mid-term exams or early exam sessions. Incoming international exchange students will be assessed using the same examination methods.

The written exam will be held in Italian.

• General
  Concepts and Contextual Framework (8–10 hours). Analysis of the ecological
  crisis and core principles of sustainability.
  • Books: Study
    
    materials are available at the "Centro Copie Universitario" at Via
    
    Borelli 15, Rome.


• Strategies
  and Policies for Sustainable Transition (20–22 hours). In-depth examination of
  strategic frameworks for socio-economic transformation and the achievement of
  the SDGs: 2030 Agenda, European Green Deal, Circular Economy, and the National
  Strategy for Sustainable Development.
  • Books: Study
    
    materials are available at the "Centro Copie Universitario" at Via
    
    Borelli 15, Rome.


• Resource Management, Energy, and Digital Transformation (16–18 hours). Analysis of waste management, energy transition trends, and the role of digital transformation in developing a circular society.
  • Books: Study
    
    materials are available at the "Centro Copie Universitario" at Via
    
    Borelli 15, Rome.


• Sectoral
  Focus (4–6 hours). Analysis and application models of the circular economy in
  the tourism sector.
  • Books: Study
    
    materials are available at the "Centro Copie Universitario" at Via
    
    Borelli 15, Rome.