THEORIES AND RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

This course, part of the Master’s Degree in Environmental Humanities, explores research in environmental and sustainability education through a focus on participatory approaches with children. It traces the relationship between environmental movements and environmental education, examining how participatory research positions children as active contributors to knowledge production. Particular attention is given to children’s agency, their developing capacity to participate, and models for their meaningful involvement in social and environmental contexts.The course introduces key elements of educational research design alongside participatory and arts-based methods, and combines theoretical input with laboratory activities addressing real-world environmental and community-based issues.
By the end of the course, students will be able to critically engage with and apply participatory approaches to research in environmental education.

1. Knowledge and Understanding
• Understand participatory research with children in environmental and sustainability education.
• Know the main research methods and key elements of educational research design.
• Understand participatory methods and their role in environmental knowledge production.

2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
• Be able to design and conduct participatory research involving children in environmental contexts.
• Be able to apply appropriate research methods and participatory techniques.

3. Making Judgements
• Be able to critically analyse and evaluate research methodologies and participatory approaches in environmental education.

4. Communication Skills
• Be able to communicate and present research processes and findings to different audiences.

5. Learning Skills
• Be able to independently analyse scientific literature and develop a reflective approach to research.

This course is an elective course offered to students enrolled in the Master’s Degree in Environmental Humanities. No prior background in the subject is required.

Evolution of environmental movements and their relationship with environmental education, leading to participatory approaches with children; participatory research with children in environmental and sustainability education; children’s agency, developing capacity to participate, and models of participation in social and environmental contexts; principles and frameworks for involving children in research, with reference to children’s rights and participation; fundamentals of research design, including types of research (qualitative and quantitative), research questions, and variables; participatory and arts-based methods for engaging children with environmental and community-based issues.

Mandatory: Course lessons + research papers made available in MOODLE (for all students)

Assessment will take place through a written exam consisting of 12 multiple-choice questions (1 point each) and 4 short open-ended questions (worth up to a maximum of 5 points each). Duration of the exam: 50 minutes.

The questions are designed to assess both the theoretical knowledge acquired during the course and the ability to understand, analyse, and apply this knowledge to case studies.

The open-ended questions are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
(a) accuracy and relevance of theoretical knowledge;
(b) ability to understand, analyse, and re-elaborate the content;
(c) appropriate use of disciplinary language;
(d) clarity and effectiveness of expression.

written

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

A. Scores in the 18-22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- sufficient knowledge and applied understanding with reference to the syllabus;
- limited ability to collect and/or interpret data, making independent judgements;
- sufficient communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language.
B. marks in the 23-26 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- discrete knowledge and applied understanding with reference to the syllabus;
- discrete ability to collect and/or interpret data, making autonomous judgements;
- fair communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language.
C. Scores in the 27-30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- good or very good knowledge and applied understanding with reference to the syllabus;
- good or very good ability to collect and/or interpret data, making independent judgements;
- fully appropriate communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language.
D. Honours will be awarded in the presence of knowledge and ability of applied understanding with reference to the
programme, judgement and communication skills, excellent.

The lessons will be integrated with collaborative learning activities, supported with video materials and online resources.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development