Florence Program Concentrations
1. Food, Culture & Sustainability Concentration
- Concentration Overview:
Examine the connections between food systems, cultural heritage, and sustainability in the birthplace of the Slow Food Movement. Students explore culinary traditions, ethical consumerism, and sustainable development, paired with field visits to local producers. The program equips students to analyze how food culture shapes communities and influences global policy. - Core Courses (6 credits)
- The Slow Food Movement: Sustainability & Tradition in Culinary Culture (3)
- Sustainable Development in Context (3) or Innovation in Action (3)
- Electives (choose 2–3 for semester / 1 for summer)
- Sustainable Urban Planning: Case Studies
- Eco-Tourism & Conservation in Natural Reserves
- Sustainable Fashion: Ethical Design & Production
- Circular Economy: Local Practices & Global Implications
- The Politics of Sustainability: Policies & Governance
- Sustainable Energy Systems: Transition to Renewable Energy
- Sustainability & Heritage: Balancing Preservation with Environmental Challenges
- Language
2. Design, Fashion & Circular Economy Concentration
- Concentration Overview:
Based in one of the world’s fashion capitals, this program blends design innovation with circular economy practices. Students study sustainable fashion, ethical production, and material innovation while exploring recycling initiatives and eco-conscious business models. The program prepares students to assess the social and environmental impact of the global fashion industry. - Core Courses (6 credits)
- Sustainable Fashion: Ethical Design & Production (3) or Circular Economy: Local Practices & Global Implications (3)
- Sustainable Development in Context (3) or Innovation in Action (3)
- Electives (choose 2–3 for semester / 1 for summer)
- The Slow Food Movement: Sustainability & Tradition in Culinary Culture
- Sustainable Urban Planning: Case Studies
- Eco-Tourism & Conservation in Natural Reserves
- The Politics of Sustainability: Policies & Governance
- Sustainable Energy Systems: Transition to Renewable Energy
- Sustainability & Heritage: Balancing Preservation with Environmental Challenges
- Language
3. Urban Futures & Climate Resilience Concentration
- Concentration Overview:
Focused on sustainable cities, this program introduces students to urban planning, green architecture, and renewable energy systems. Through case studies and field visits, students analyze how historic cities balance heritage with climate resilience. Coursework emphasizes innovative solutions to air quality, mobility, and sustainable development challenges. - Core Courses (6 credits)
- Sustainable Urban Planning: Case Studies (3) or Sustainable Energy Systems: Transition to Renewable Energy (3)
- Sustainable Development in Context (3) or Innovation in Action (3)
- Electives
- The Slow Food Movement: Sustainability & Tradition in Culinary Culture
- Eco-Tourism & Conservation in Natural Reserves
- Sustainable Fashion: Ethical Design & Production
- Circular Economy: Local Practices & Global Implications
- The Politics of Sustainability: Policies & Governance
- Sustainability & Heritage: Balancing Preservation with Environmental Challenges
- Language
4. Politics & Sustainability Concentration
- Concentration Overview:
Students investigate how governance shapes environmental outcomes, with emphasis on the EU’s Green Deal and international climate policy. Courses cover renewable energy policy, environmental justice, and sustainable development strategies. The program cultivates critical insight into the political frameworks driving global sustainability initiatives. - Core Courses (6 credits)
- The Politics of Sustainability: Policies & Governance (3)
- Sustainable Development in Context (3) or Innovation in Action (3)
- Electives
- The Slow Food Movement: Sustainability & Tradition in Culinary Culture
- Sustainable Urban Planning: Case Studies
- Eco-Tourism & Conservation in Natural Reserves
- Sustainable Fashion: Ethical Design & Production
- Circular Economy: Local Practices & Global Implications
- Sustainable Energy Systems: Transition to Renewable Energy
- Sustainability & Heritage: Balancing Preservation with Environmental Challenges
- Language
5. Heritage, Art & the Environment Concentration
- Concentration Overview:
Florence’s rich cultural heritage serves as a living classroom to study the intersection of preservation and sustainability. Students explore how communities balance tourism, climate pressures, and conservation while safeguarding historic and artistic treasures. The program integrates site visits with analysis of UNESCO practices and community-led preservation models. - Core Courses (6 credits)
- Sustainability & Heritage: Balancing Preservation with Environmental Challenges (3) or Eco-Tourism & Conservation in Natural Reserves (3)
- Sustainable Development in Context (3) or Innovation in Action (3)
- Electives
- The Slow Food Movement: Sustainability & Tradition in Culinary Culture
- Sustainable Urban Planning: Case Studies
- Sustainable Fashion: Ethical Design & Production
- Circular Economy: Local Practices & Global Implications
- The Politics of Sustainability: Policies & Governance
- Sustainable Energy Systems: Transition to Renewable Energy
- Language
6. Energy & Innovation Concentration
- Concentration Overview:
This program highlights the transition to renewable energy and the role of innovation in shaping sustainable futures. Students engage in project-based learning on social entrepreneurship, paired with coursework on renewable energy systems and circular business models. The program fosters applied problem-solving skills in energy policy and technological innovation. - Core Courses (6 credits)
- Sustainable Energy Systems: Transition to Renewable Energy (3)
- Sustainable Development in Context (3) or Innovation in Action (3)
- Electives
- The Slow Food Movement: Sustainability & Tradition in Culinary Culture
- Sustainable Urban Planning: Case Studies
- Eco-Tourism & Conservation in Natural Reserves
- Sustainable Fashion: Ethical Design & Production
- Circular Economy: Local Practices & Global Implications
- The Politics of Sustainability: Policies & Governance
- Sustainability & Heritage: Balancing Preservation with Environmental Challenges
- Language
Course Syllabi
Multi-Program Courses
Sustainable Development in Context
Development Studies
Environmental Studies
International Relations
Political Science
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) offer a roadmap for a global future that promotes human flourishing and healthy ecosystems. They are transdisciplinary in nature, representing complex global challenges that require innovative solutions from multiple perspectives. This course uses Italy and the European Union as a lens through which to understand the SDGs in practice.
Learning Objectives
- Identify and explain the 17 UN SDGs, their historical context, and the key principles behind the global sustainability agenda.
- Evaluate the interconnectedness of the SDGs, analyzing how progress on one goal impacts others (e.g., climate action’s role in eradicating poverty).
- Assess the effectiveness of current SDG-related policies and initiatives at national and regional levels.
- Design innovative, cross-sectoral solutions that address one or more SDGs, considering technological, social, and environmental factors.
- Formulate a compelling advocacy campaign to raise awareness and drive action for the SDGs.
- 45 Hours
- 3 Credits
- No Prerequisites
Innovation in Action: Project-Based Learning
Entrepreneurship
Business
International Studies
A hands-on course designed to develop NACE Competencies in a global context, exploring the emerging field of social entrepreneurship and project-based learning. The European context offers fertile ground for studying innovation — a deep-rooted tradition of craftsmanship, design, and cooperative enterprise intersects with cutting-edge research.
Learning Objectives
- Understand and apply the principles of social entrepreneurship, examining how innovation creates solutions to social and environmental challenges.
- Demonstrate proficiency in key NACE competencies in a global context.
- Apply principles of design thinking, lean startup, and systems thinking to real-world problems, creating innovative solutions that promote social and environmental impact.
- Present findings and solutions through professional-level reports, presentations, and prototypes.
- Reflect critically on the role of innovation in society and its potential for driving change.
- 45 Hours
- 3 Credits
- No Prerequisites
Florence Courses
Studying sustainability presents an exciting opportunity to blend global environmental challenges with unique socio-cultural, historical, and environmental contexts. Learn in a country rich in natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and regional diversity, which offers numerous possibilities for exploring sustainability from various angles.
LOCATION
TERM
THEME
DISCIPLINE
Fine Arts: Creating with Care - Fine Art and Sustainable Futures
Fine Arts
Fine Arts
This immersive course integrates traditional fine art practices with sustainability principles, blending studio work with outdoor creative exploration in the heart of Florence. Students work with eco-friendly materials, natural pigments, and handmade watercolors.
Painting, sculpture, and mixed-media fundamentals
Eco-friendly and non-toxic materials in art
Studio sustainability and waste reduction practices
Art as activism: visual storytelling for sustainability
Developing a personal artistic voice rooted in care and responsibility
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
Art History: Preserving the Past, Sustaining the Future - The Heritage of the Renaissance
Art History
Heritage & Art
Examine the masterpieces and material culture that defined the Renaissance and continue to shape Europe's artistic identity. Students engage with conservation science and the sustainable management of heritage.
Major artists, architects, and artistic movements of the Renaissance
Traditional techniques: fresco, oil painting, sculpture, and architectural design
Material analysis and conservation science
Restoration ethics and sustainable preservation practices
The role of museums in heritage sustainability
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
Anthropology: Cities in Transition — History, Culture and Sustainable Futures
Anthropology
Heritage & Art
Explore the evolution of urban environments from their medieval roots to the complexities of the modern era. This course examines how cities reflect cultural diversity, economic forces, and environmental challenges, using Florence as a dynamic case study.
The historical development of cities and urbanization
Migration patterns, ethnic communities, and social dynamics
Public spaces, monuments, and the role of cultural heritage
Urban sustainability: environmental, economic, and social challenges
Comparative urban studies in Europe and beyond
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
Italian Language
Italian Language
Language
This introductory Italian course is designed for students with little or no prior knowledge of the language. It focuses on developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through communicative, task-based activities, using the city of Florence as an extended language classroom.
Understand and use familiar expressions of daily events
Communicate in standard language on familiar topics
Introduce yourself and others
Interact in simple situations (café, restaurant)
Manage daily life using basic communication skills
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
Sustainability and Heritage: Balancing Preservation with Environmental Challenges
Art History
Heritage & Art
Italy's extraordinary cultural heritage — from ancient Roman ruins and Renaissance masterpieces to UNESCO World Heritage cities — is increasingly at risk due to environmental pressures. This course investigates how Italy navigates the sustainability of cultural heritage through interdisciplinary strategies.
Climate change impacts on cultural heritage
Sustainable tourism and its effects on heritage sites
The role of technology in preserving cultural sites
UNESCO World Heritage sites and sustainable management
Community-driven preservation efforts in villages
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
Sustainable Energy Systems: Transition to Renewable Energy
Energy Studies
Energy & Innovation
Italy presents a fascinating case study in renewable energy development, positioned at the crossroads of Mediterranean solar potential, complex geography, and European Union energy policy. Students explore the technological, economic, and social aspects of Italy's renewable energy projects.
The renewable energy landscape (solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal)
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
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
The Politics of Sustainability: Policies and Governance
Political Science
Politics & Policy
Italy presents a fascinating case study in the politics of sustainability, positioned at the intersection of national traditions, Mediterranean environmental challenges, and European Union directives. Students examine how governments create policies to address climate change, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
European Union's sustainability agenda
Government policies on climate change, renewable energy, and carbon emissions
Approaches to environmental justice and social equity
Green public procurement and government-led sustainability projects
The intersection of politics and sustainability in local regions
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
Water Management and Conservation
Environmental Studies
Urban & Climate
Cities have diverse water-related challenges, from managing water resources in arid regions to addressing the risks posed by flooding. This course explores the science of water management, its policy dimensions, and the role of governance in ensuring sustainable water use.
Water scarcity issues
The role of water management in agriculture
Flood risk management
The impact of climate change on water resources
Water policy and governance
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
Circular Economy: Local Practices and Global Implications
Economics
Design & Fashion
This course explores the principles and applications of the circular economy, emphasizing Italy's innovative approaches to sustainable production and consumption, connecting local efforts to global frameworks such as the EU Green Deal and the UN SDGs.
Introduction to the circular economy model
Case studies of circular economy initiatives (fashion, plastic recycling)
The role of design in circular product development
Circular economy in the food and beverage sectors
Policy frameworks for promoting circularity
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
Sustainable Fashion: Ethical Design and Production
Fashion Design
Design & Fashion
Italy is a global leader in fashion, but the industry also faces increasing pressure to address environmental and social sustainability. Using Florence as both classroom and case study, this course examines how Italian fashion houses and small artisans are adapting through ethical production and sustainable materials.
Sustainable fashion trends
The role of luxury brands in environmental and social responsibility
Materials innovation in fashion
Slow fashion vs. fast fashion
The impact of textile waste on the environment
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
Eco-Tourism and Conservation in Natural Reserves
Environmental Studies
Heritage & Art
With its rich biodiversity and national parks, Italy is a hotspot for eco-tourism. This course explores the intersection of sustainable tourism and environmental conservation in Italy's protected areas, including the Dolomites, Cinque Terre, and national parks of the Italian Alps.
Principles of eco-tourism and sustainable travel
Conservation efforts in natural parks
Balancing tourism growth with environmental protection
Community engagement in sustainable tourism initiatives
The impact of climate change on natural habitats
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
Sustainable Urban Planning: Case Studies
Urban & Regional Planning
Urban & Climate
The cities of Italy represent a unique laboratory for studying sustainable urban development, blending ancient urban fabrics with innovative approaches to contemporary challenges.
Green architecture and eco-friendly design
Sustainable transportation systems
Urban regeneration and smart city initiatives
Managing tourism impacts in historic cities
The role of municipalities in climate resilience
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs
The Slow Food Movement: Sustainability and Tradition in Culinary Culture
Food Studies
Food & Culture
This course explores the Slow Food Movement, which began in Italy in 1986, focusing on the principles of sustainability, local food traditions, and ethical consumerism.
Origins and philosophy of Slow Food
Sustainability, local economies, and food production
Preservation of culinary traditions and regional cuisines
Role of Slow Food in food policy and global food movements
Challenges and opportunities for Slow Food in the modern world
- 45 Hrs
- 3 Credits
- No Prereqs