Student guide Faculty of Economics A.Y. 2007/08

System and Project Management
Lesson timetable, Notice board, Additional material
Aim of the course
The course intends to provide an inter-disciplinary understanding of the principles, policies and practices
for socially and environmentally sustainable economic development and to enhance strategic thinking of
the students around the issues of sustainbility.
Syllabus
1.         Sustainable Economy: key-concepts, currents of thought, contemporary issues
2.                  The long view: natural resources management and environmental changes in historical perspective, from Neolithic to our times
3.                  The deep view: human strategies of adaptation and socio-cultural organizations, from prehistory to modern age
4.                  The wide view: principles and practices of sustainability across the contemporary contexts, from tribal to post-industrial societies
5.                  Sustainable land-use and natural resources management: economic, technological and normative (legal) aspects
6.                  Environmental management of business firms: economic, ethical and legal issues
7.                  Social responsibility and business practices: socio-cultural, ethical and legal aspects
8.                  Strategic application of information and communication technologies (ICT) for sustainable economy
7.1.      ICT in eco/socio-compatible business strategy
7.2.      ICT in public policy for sustainable community development
9.                  International cooperation for sustainability: protocols, treaties and enforcement mechanism
10.               Changing paradigms in life-style and consumption pattern: global citizenship for sustainability and new business horizons
11.               The future of planet and people: an interdisciplinary future-view (strategic foresight and alternative scenarios).
Examinations
Written work (home assignment) during the course and an oral exam at the end.
Reading list
Assi, J., Carletti, C. & Klaus, R., Per un nuovo dialogo tra mercato e società (in Italian) SUPSI, Manno (Switzerland, 2006
 
Beder, S., Environmental principles and Policies: an Interdisciplinary Introduction, Earthscan, London, 2006
 
Bhat, V.N., Total Quality Environmental Management: An ISO 14000 Approach, Quorum Books, Westport (Conn., USA), 1998
 
Desta, A., Environmentally Sustainable Economic Development, Praeger, Westport (Cennecticut, USA), 1999
 
Goldin, I. & Alan Winters, L. (eds.), The Economics of Sustainable Development, Cambridge University Press, U.K., 1995
 
Hornborg, A. & Crumley, C. (eds.), The World System and the Earth System: Global Socio-environmental change and Sustainability since the Neolithic. Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek (Calif., USA), 2007
 
Mol, A. P. J., Globalization and Environmental Reform: The Ecological Modernization of the Global Economy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, 2001
 
Pant, D. R. (ed.), Antropologia e strategia: saggio sull’essere umano e sull’economia sostenibile (in Italian), Guerinin Scientifica, Milan, 2004
 
Reports of CIESIN (Columbia University), European Commission, UNDP, UNEP, Yale University Environmental Policy and Law Center, Worldwatch Institute, World Resources Institute, World Business Council for Sustainable Development