Barcelona Program Structure

Course Description:

This course explores Spanish culinary culture, focusing on the principles of sustainability, local food traditions, and ethical consumerism. Through lectures, field visits, and interactions with local producers Students will examine how traditional Spanish culinary culture promotes good, clean, and fair food, emphasizing the preservation of local agricultural practices, biodiversity, and the cultural significance of food.

Key Topics:

• History and development of Spanish culinary culture
• Sustainability, local economies, and food production
• The preservation of Spain’s culinary traditions and regional cuisines
• Food policy and Spanish influences on global food movements
• Challenges and opportunities for traditional culinary culture in the modern world

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, students will gain a deeper understanding of traditional Spanish
culinary culture, how it connects with sustainability and community, and how it influences
both local and global food systems

Course Description:

This course will focus on how Spanish cities such as Barcelona are integrating sustainability into urban planning, transportation, and green building practices. Students will examine real-world case studies of how Spanish cities are addressing issues like air quality, waste management, and sustainable tourism.

Key Topics:

• Green architecture and eco-friendly design in Spanish cities
• Sustainable transportation systems in Barcelona
• Urban regeneration and smart city initiatives
• Managing tourism impacts in historic cities
• The role of Spanish municipalities in climate resilience

Fieldwork:

Walking tours of eco-friendly urban projects

Course Description:

With its rich biodiversity and national parks, Spain is a hotspot for eco-tourism. This course will dive into the intersection of sustainable tourism and environmental conservation in Spain’s protected areas. Students will explore how eco-tourism can help preserve these natural treasures while benefiting local communities.

Key Topics:

• Principles of eco-tourism and sustainable travel
• Conservation efforts in Spain’s natural parks
• Balancing tourism growth with environmental protection
• Community engagement in sustainable tourism initiatives
• The impact of climate change on Spain’s natural habitats

Fieldwork:

• Study visits to national parks and eco-tourism villages.

Course Description:
Spain has a distinctive flair in fashion and design, but the industry also faces increasing pressure to address environmental and social sustainability. This course will explore how Spanish fashion and design houses and small artisans are adapting to sustainability trends through ethical production, sustainable materials, and eco-conscious consumerism.

Key Topics:

• Sustainable fashion trends in Spain
• The role of Spanish brands in environmental and social responsibility
• Materials innovation in Spanish fashion
• Slow fashion vs. fast fashion
• The impact of textile waste on the environment

Fieldwork:

• Visits to sustainable fashion brands or artisan workshops in Barcelona.

Course Description:

This course will explore the principles of the circular economy, focusing on how Spain is applying these principles in industries ranging from manufacturing to waste management. Spain has been a leader in circular practices, particularly in cities like Barcelona, which hosts a global summit on the circular economy. Students will analyze the economic, social, and environmental impacts of circular business models in Spain.

Key Topics:

• Introduction to the circular economy model
• Case studies of circular economy initiatives in Spain (e.g., fashion, plastic recycling)
• The role of Spanish design in circular product development
• Circular economy in the food and beverage sectors
• Policy frameworks for promoting circularity in Spain

Fieldwork:

• Visits to recycling plants or businesses with circular models in Barcelona.

Course Description:

This course will delve into the political aspects of sustainability in Spain, examining how local, regional, and national governments are creating policies to address climate change, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Students will study Spain’s role in the European Union’s Green Deal and its influence on global environmental policies.

Key Topics:

• Spain’s role in the European Union’s sustainability agenda
• Government policies on climate change, renewable energy, and carbon emissions
• The Spanish approach to environmental justice and social equity
• Green public procurement and government-led sustainability projects
• The intersection of politics and sustainability in local regions (e.g., Catalunya’s
  green initiatives)

Fieldwork:

• Meetings with policymakers and environmental NGOs.

Course Description:

Spain has made strides in renewable energy development, particularly in solar and wind power. This course will examine Spain’s energy transition, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in adopting sustainable energy practices. Students will explore the technological, economic, and social aspects of Spain’s renewable energy projects.

Key Topics:

• The renewable energy landscape in Spain (solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal)
• Spain’s energy policy and climate goals
• Energy storage and smart grid technology
• Local energy cooperatives and decentralized energy systems
• The impact of renewable energy on local communities and industries

Fieldwork:

Site visits to renewable energy plants.

Course Description:

Spain’s rich cultural heritage faces increasing threats from climate change, urbanization, and tourism. This course will explore how Spain is addressing the sustainability of cultural heritage and historic preservation, balancing environmental challenges with the need to protect its ancient sites.

Key Topics:

• Climate change impacts on Spain’s cultural heritage
• Sustainable tourism and its effects on heritage sites
• The role of technology in preserving Spanish cultural sites
• UNESCO World Heritage sites and sustainable management
• Community-driven preservation efforts in Spanish villages

Fieldwork:

• Visits to heritage sites undergoing preservation work