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.

scritto

Il/la docente ha il dovere di vigilare affinché siano rispettate le regole di autenticità e originalità delle prove d'esame. Di conseguenza, nei casi in cui vi sia il sospetto di un comportamento irregolare, l'esame può prevedere un ulteriore approfondimento, contestuale alla prova d'esame, che potrà essere realizzato anche in modalità differente rispetto alle modalità sopra riportate.

A. Scores in the 18–22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- sufficient knowledge and understanding of the syllabus;
limited ability to analyse and interpret data, with partial autonomy of judgement;
sufficient communication skills and use of disciplinary language.

B. Scores in the 23–26 range will be awarded in the presence of:

satisfactory knowledge and understanding;
adequate ability to analyse and interpret data, with a fair degree of autonomy of judgement;
adequate communication skills and generally appropriate use of disciplinary language.

C. Scores in the 27–30 range will be awarded in the presence of:

good or very good knowledge and understanding;
good or very good ability to analyse and interpret data, with autonomy of judgement;
appropriate and effective communication skills, with accurate use of disciplinary language.

D. Honours (cum laude) will be awarded in the presence of excellent knowledge and understanding, strong analytical and interpretative abilities, full autonomy of judgement, and highly effective communication skills.

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

Questo insegnamento tratta argomenti connessi alla macroarea "Capitale umano, salute, educazione" e concorre alla realizzazione dei relativi obiettivi ONU dell'Agenda 2030 per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile