Unit HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
- Course
- Government and administration
- Study-unit Code
- A005480
- Curriculum
- Governo della democrazia e sostenibilita'
- Teacher
- Manuel Vaquero Pineiro
- Teachers
-
- Manuel Vaquero Pineiro
- Hours
- 60 ore - Manuel Vaquero Pineiro
- CFU
- 8
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2026
- Offered
- 2026/27
- Learning activities
- Caratterizzante
- Area
- Formazione economico-statistica
- Sector
- STEC-01/B
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italian
- Contents
- Gaining a historical understanding of the pillars of sustainability: Developing a clear understanding of the interconnection between environmental, social and economic sustainability (the ‘3P’ model: People, Planet, Profit).
Understanding the 2030 Agenda: Familiarise yourself with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the main international climate agreements (e.g. the Paris Agreement).
Learning key concepts through an analysis of economic history: Defining and understanding concepts such as the circular economy, energy transition, carbon footprint, biodiversity and climate justice. - Reference texts
- The reference texts are published in pdf format on the Unistudium page dedicated to this course.
For international and Erasmus students: the lecturer can also provide texts in
English, French and Spanish.
Students who have not attended the lectures must contact the lecturer in order to define the study programme and the examination procedures. - Educational objectives
- The course aims to:
Analyse the historical evolution of the relationship between the economy and the environment
Understand the origins of sustainability as an economic concept
Examine development models and their environmental implications
Assess economic policies and institutions related to sustainability
Develop critical thinking skills regarding contemporary challenges (climate change, energy transition)
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to understand the complexity of global environmental, social and economic challenges from an economic history perspective, developing critical and systemic thinking to implement sustainable practices within their own context. - Prerequisites
- None
- Teaching methods
- Lectures
Discussion of articles and readings
Case studies (e.g. the energy transition, environmental crises)
Student presentations - Other information
- Non-attending students should contact the lecturer at the start of the course.
- Learning verification modality
- Written exam
Term paper or research project
Class participation (discussions and seminars)
For international and Erasmus students: oral exams may be taken also in English, Spanish and French. - Extended program
- Course aims to:
Analyse the historical evolution of the relationship between economy and environment; Understand the origins of sustainability as an economic concept; Study development models and their environmental implications; Evaluate economic policies and institutions related to sustainability; Develop critical thinking skills on contemporary challenges (climate change, energy transition).
Introduction and key concepts
Definition of sustainability (environmental, economic, social); Growth economics vs. limits-to-growth economics; Indicators: GDP, human development, ecological footprint.
Economy and environment in the pre-industrial world
Traditional agrarian systems and resource use; Ecological limits in historical economic systems; Pre-industrial environmental crises (deforestation, famines).
Industrial Revolution and ecological disruption
Industrialisation and intensive resource use; Coal, energy, and economic growth; Environmental impacts (urbanisation, pollution).
The rise of environmental thought
Malthus and demographic limits; Mill and the stationary state; Early conservation policies (19th century).
The 20th century: growth, crisis, and awareness
Economic boom and mass consumption; Environmental crises (smog, industrial disasters); Limits to Growth report (Club of Rome, 1972).
Economics of sustainability
Environmental economics vs. ecological economics; Natural capital; Externalities and policy tools (taxes, permits).
Globalisation and sustainable development
Global inequalities and sustainability; Sustainable development (Brundtland Report, 1987); Agenda 2030; European Green Deal.
Contemporary ecological transition
Climate change and global policies; Energy transition; Circular economy and green economy; Sustainable finance; Water conflicts; Land grabbing and the exploitation of natural resources. - Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile