Ateneo - UPO

The integrated course offers an overall view of the relationships between environment, territory and health, combining the analysis of environmental policies and their instruments with the study of the main health determinants.
In the first module (geography and environmental territorial policy) the fundamental concepts of environment, territory and sustainable development are introduced, examining in depth global and local environmental policies, the sectors most involved and the success factors or criticalities characterising the initiatives.
In the second module (health and environment) the focus shifts to the impacts that the environment has on health, with references to infectious and chronic diseases, to the consequences of pollution and environmental determinants, as well as to the management of emergencies and disasters of natural origin at the territorial level.

Bagliani, M., Dansero, E. (2011), Politiche per l'ambiente: dalla natura al territorio, UTET. Giovannini E. (2018), L' utopia sostenibile, Laterza. Bagliani M., Pietta A., Bonati S. (2019), Il cambiamento climatico in prospettiva geografica, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Knowledge and understanding
to know and understand the instruments of contemporary environmental policy and their national, European, and global context
to understand the geographical and territorial phenomena related to the environment and sustainability
to know the health system, the population’s health status, and the main determinants of health
to understand the implications of environmental risks, disasters, and emergencies on health
Apply knowledge and understanding
to develop a critical capacity for analysing events, policies, and initiatives related to environment, sustainability, and health
to be able to interact with health professionals within multidisciplinary projects
to understand and manage the complexity of the interactions between environment, policies, sustainability, and public health

None

The course includes lectures and thematic seminars for in-depth study, combining traditional teaching with participatory learning methods. During the lessons, various tools (presentations, satellite images, maps, short videos, etc.) will be used to facilitate the understanding of the complexity of the phenomena presented and to stimulate active student participation, promoting the development of a critical approach to the subject.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via reference office consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The final grade for the integrated course is determined by means of an average of the assessments of the individual modules.

The first module provides an in-depth study of geography and economic geography, geography and spatial relations, geographical paradigms and models, representations of the environment and environmental issues, sustainability and environmental degradation, climate change, biodiversity loss, and forms of pollution; environmental information, concepts and actors of environmental policies, instruments of environmental policies (global, European, and national level), environment and participation, environmental protection and conservation, protected areas, from constraints to projects: cases and good practices.
Integration of the gender dimension: climate crisis and gender issues.
The second module addresses the impact of the environment on health, introducing the health system, primary care, population health status, and main determinants. Infectious and chronic diseases, environmental risks, prevention, access to healthcare, and the management of disasters and emergencies, such as heatwaves and floods, are considered, including issues of active citizenship and sustainability in healthcare.
Integration of the gender dimension: the gender dimension is considered in the analysis of concepts and in the case studies addressed during the module.

a) Knowledge and understanding
Students acquire knowledge and understanding of the theoretical concepts of economic and spatial geography, territorial relations, and environmental issues. The course provides an in-depth understanding of contemporary environmental policy instruments, situated in the national, European, and global context, and of the connections between environmental degradation or recovery phenomena and the objectives of sustainable development and economic growth. At the same time, students gain knowledge of the health system, the population’s health status, and the main determinants of health, understanding the implications of environmental risks, disasters, and emergencies on public health.
b) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The course develops critical analysis skills and autonomy of judgement: students are able to analyse territorial and environmental contexts, anticipate sustainable actions, evaluate policies and instruments, and identify the most appropriate or effective ones. Communication skills are enhanced through the ability to structure and present environmental recovery and enhancement projects, and learning skills are fostered by integrating theoretical and methodological concepts with direct observation of territorial data and bibliographic sources. Students are also able to interact effectively with health professionals in multidisciplinary projects and to understand and manage the complexity of the interactions between environment, policies, sustainability, and public health.
c) Judgement skills
Students develop the ability to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different environmental policy instruments in the context of sustainable development and to formulate critical judgements on the impact of environmental policies on health and territory, taking into account the complexity of the relationships between environment, sustainability, and health systems.