Ateneo - UPO

The course introduces political sociology tools for understanding environmental, climate-related and territorial conflicts.

For attending students:

Compulsory slides and articles related to the topics covered in class, which will be uploaded to the course DIR platform.

For non-attending students:

1) Compulsory slides and articles related to the topics covered in class, which will be uploaded to the course DIR platform.
2) P. Imperatore (2023), Territori in lotta, Meltemi (Introduction and Chapters 1, 3 and 5).

Additional materials for further study (open-access scientific articles and book chapters), not compulsory for the examination, will be uploaded to the course DIR page.

The course aims to provide basic knowledge of political sociology and theoretical and analytical tools for interpreting environmental conflicts as social and political processes. By the end of the course, students should be able to identify the actors, interests, resources, frames and power relations that structure these conflicts, connect them to broader political, economic and territorial transformations, and critically apply the concepts learned to concrete cases.

Logical, linguistic and historical competencies acquired through upper-secondary education.

Classes combine theoretical lectures, case discussions, guided document analysis and individual workshop activities. Part of the course is devoted to the design and progressive development of an environmental-conflict analysis sheet, inspired by the Italian Atlas of Environmental Conflicts and adapted to the course learning objectives. During classes, students will complete exercises on timelines, actor maps, frames, sources, decision-making processes and dimensions of environmental justice.

Students are advised to enrol on the course DIR page. Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request dedicated services and specific support by contacting the University Staff for Student Careers Development and Coordination and Student Services, and by consulting the dedicated University webpage: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentidisabili-e-dsa. After contacting the relevant University Staff, students with disabilities, SLD or SEN may contact the course instructor regarding the educational implementation of examination arrangements.

Attending students who submit the analysis sheet:
The final grade is based 50% on the individual environmental-conflict analysis sheet and 50% on the oral examination. The final analysis sheet must be submitted by the deadline communicated by the instructor through the course DIR platform. The assignment is assessed on the basis of the accuracy of the reconstruction, the quality and diversity of sources, the analysis of actors and power relations, the analysis of frames and claims, the use of course concepts, clarity of presentation and methodological transparency. During the oral examination, students answer questions on the topics covered in class and the compulsory readings and critically discuss their analysis sheet, explaining their selection of sources, the categories used and the interpretations proposed. The discussion of the analysis sheet contributes to the assessment of the oral examination.

Non-attending students and attending students who do not submit the analysis sheet:
Assessment is based entirely on an oral examination covering the compulsory readings specified in the relevant programme (attending/non-attending). The examination assesses knowledge and understanding of the readings, the ability to connect authors and concepts, appropriate use of disciplinary terminology, and the ability to apply theoretical categories to concrete cases or problems proposed by the instructor. Students are not required to prepare or discuss an analysis sheet.

For both assessment routes, evaluation takes into account the accuracy and completeness of knowledge, argumentative ability, independent judgement, clarity of expression, and the ability to establish connections among the different course topics.
To pass the examination, students must demonstrate at least a satisfactory knowledge of the main course topics.

The course introduces the main concepts of political sociology relevant to understanding environmental and territorial conflicts. It examines the actors involved, forms of participation and mobilisation, repertoires of protest, processes through which issues become public problems, and the different frames through which the environment, development, territory and the collective interest are interpreted. Particular attention is devoted to the evolution of environmental movements, environmental and climate justice, territorial inequalities, and criticism of reductive interpretations based on the NIMBY category. The course also examines the relationship between local conflicts and broader political and economic transformations, considering the different institutional levels involved, decision-making processes, the role of expertise, and the dynamics through which protest is legitimised or delegitimised. A specific section addresses conflicts connected with ecological and energy transitions through the analysis of Italian cases involving land use, infrastructure and renewable-energy production. Attending students apply the course concepts to the reconstruction and analysis of an environmental conflict.

Knowledge and understanding:
• Know the main concepts of political sociology relevant to the study of environmental conflicts and social movements.
• Understand the plurality of actors, interests, identities and power relations involved in environmental controversies.
• Understand the main theoretical perspectives on environmental justice, territorial conflicts, environmental movements and ecological transition.
Applying knowledge and understanding:
• For all students: apply course concepts to the interpretation of concrete cases and connect local phenomena to broader political and economic processes.
• For attending students who complete the practical assignment: systematically reconstruct a conflict using heterogeneous sources, producing a timeline, an actor map and an analysis of frames, decision-making processes, mobilisation, environmental justice and outcomes.
• For non-attending students: apply the theoretical and analytical categories from the compulsory readings to cases or problems proposed by the instructor during the examination.
Making judgements:
• Critically assess institutional, corporate, journalistic and scientific sources, as well as sources produced by movements, distinguishing data, statements and interpretations.
• Recognise oversimplifications and delegitimising categories, with particular reference to the use of the concept of NIMBY.
• Develop well-founded interpretations proportionate to the available evidence, considering alternative explanations and the limitations of sources.
Communication skills:
• Use the terminology of political and environmental sociology appropriately.
• Present coherent oral arguments on the course topics.
• For attending students: write and discuss a structured, clear and well-documented analysis sheet, explaining the methodological and interpretative choices made.
Learning skills:
• Develop the ability to independently investigate an environmental conflict through the research, selection and comparison of sources.
• Integrate theoretical concepts and empirical materials, transferring the tools learned to new cases.
• For non-attending students: independently organise the study of a broader reading programme and use the texts to construct reasoned rather than merely factual answers.