This degree programme, part of the Department of International Human and Social Sciences, offers students the opportunity to explore, understand, and analyse the challenges related to the broad theme of sustainability. Students will deepen their knowledge of environmental, social, economic, and cultural aspects through an innovative educational model that combines theoretical and experiential learning, research, project work, and internationalisation.
The programme provides knowledge, skills, and methodologies specific to the social sciences and is complemented by a focus on technical and scientific disciplines, ensuring a transdisciplinary approach to sustainability. This approach supports the understanding and analysis of complex contemporary challenges at international, national, and local levels.
The curriculum aims to strengthen foundational knowledge in key fields (history, economics, philosophy, law), and then provides progressively more specialised and sector-specific skills through courses and workshops on various aspects of sustainability and international cooperation, including activities delivered in English.
The international nature of the degree programme, fostered by an extensive network of established partnerships with institutions, public and private organisations, and universities actively engaged in sustainability and international cooperation—such as UNESCO, the Community of Sant'Egidio, and the International Committee of the Red Cross—offers students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience through international mobility schemes for study, research, and internships, including placements abroad.
The programme particularly addresses key topics such as peace, circular economy, globalisation, digital transition, environment and climate change, as well as social and intercultural relations.
Course Information
- to consolidate and deepen knowledge and skills in anthropological, social, legal, institutional, and scientific-technical disciplines related to sustainability, development, and international cooperation
- to provide appropriate methodologies for critical analysis of globalization phenomena, intercultural and gender dynamics, cooperation, environment and climate change, and social and political change at local, national, and international levels
- to ensure fluent use, in addition to the Italian language, of two other foreign languages (English and Spanish), both written and spoken
- to develop soft skills, particularly those aimed at enhancing the ability to design and manage projects at both micro and macro levels, including in interdisciplinary, cross-cutting, and international contexts
The programme offers a wide range of career opportunities in various professional fields, including international relations, science diplomacy, human rights protection, environmental protection, emergency management, and peace promotion, through:
- the autonomous application of the knowledge and skills acquired during the course, allowing for immediate employment in institutional, business, and non-profit sectors focused on sustainability, cooperation, and peace (public administrations, educational institutions, international organisations, institutional, governmental and non-governmental organisations, and third sector organisations at local, national, and international levels)
- further in-depth study in the areas of sustainability and international cooperation within a specialised academic pathway, such as the master's degree programme in International Relations and Development Cooperation offered by the Università per Stranieri
Students enrolled in the SoCI programme may choose to undertake a double degree pathway with the Bachelor’s degree in "Global Communication in Business and Culture" at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, Germany.
| SSD | Courses | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| First year | ||
| HIST-03/A | Contemporary History | 9 |
| STEC-01/B | Economic and Development History | 9 |
| GSPS-04/B | Theory and History of Global Politics | 6 |
| GIUR-11/B | Institutions of Italian and Comparative Public Law | 9 |
| ANGL-01/C | English Language and Culture | 9* |
| GSPS-02/A | Comparative Politics | 9 |
| PHIL-05/A | Philosophy of Sustainability | 6 |
| Elective courses | 3 | |
| Total first year | 60 | |
| Second year | ||
| ECON-01/A | Political Economy | 9 |
| GSPS-04/C | Africa and Globalization | 9 |
| GIUR-09/A | International Law and Peace Promotion | 9 |
| GIUR-01/A | Human Rights, Protection of Vulnerable Groups (6 ECTS) and Migration Law Module (3 ECTS) | 9 |
| INF-05/A | Cyber Security and Sustainability (6 ECTS) and IT for Sustainability Module (3 ECTS) | 9 |
| GSPS-02/A | International Relations | 6 |
| SPAN-01/C | Spanish Language and Culture | 9* |
| Total second year | 60 | |
| Third year | ||
| ECON-01/A | Green and Circular Economy | 9 |
GIUR-09/A CEAR-/B | Disaster Risk Reduction (Integrated Course): Disaster Risk Reduction (6 ECTS) Disaster Risk Reduction (3 ECTS) | 9 |
| GSPS-/A | Sociology of Migration Processes | 6 |
| GSPS-/A | Democracy, Social Rights and Public Health | 6 |
SDEA-01/A GEOG-/A | Geoglobal Changes and Human Resilience (Integrated Course): Changes and Human Resilience (6 ECTS) Geography for Sustainability (3 ECTS) | 9 |
| Elective courses | 9 | |
| Internship | 6 | |
| Final examination | 6 | |
| Total third year | 60 |
* The 9 ECTS credits assigned to foreign language courses include 3 ECTS delivered by a native speaker language instructor.
Students can check their study plans to see which courses are compulsory, optional, or elective.
First Semester
Philosophy of Sustainability - prof. Flavio Orecchio
Contemporary History - prof. Valerio De Cesaris
Economic and Development History - prof. Alessandro Albanese Ginammi
Second Semester
Institutions of Italian and Comparative Public Law - prof. Francesco Duranti
English Language and Culture - prof. Marco Bagli - Dr. Bridget Clare Collins
Comparative Politics - prof. Emidio Diodato
Theory and History of Global Politics - prof. Federico Niglia
First semester
Africa and Globalization - Prof.ssa Federica Guazzini
Cyber Security and Sustainability and IT for Sustainability Module - Prof. Valentino Santucci - Prof.ssa Lucia Ballerini
International Law and Peace Promotion - Prof.ssa Maura Marchegiani
International Relations - Prof. Carlo Belli
Second semester
Human Rights, Protection of Vulnerable Groups, and Migration Law Module - Prof. Paolo Morozzo della Rocca
Political Economy - Prof. Filippo Sbrana
Spanish Language and Culture - Prof.ssa Giovanna Scocozza - Dr. Maria Luisa Sevilla Garcia-Montiel
First Semester
Democracy, Social Rights and Public Health - Prof. Alessandro Simoncini
Environmental Vulnerability: Science and Law - Integrated Course
- International Law and Emergency Situations - Prof. Ottavio Quirico
- Disaster Risk Reduction - Prof. Chiara Biscarini
EU Law and Diplomacy for Sustainability Lab -Prof. Ottavio Quirico
Soft Skills for Sustainability Lab - Prof. Maura Marchegiani
Renewable Energy Sources Lab - Prof. Chiara Chiatti
Sociology of Migration Processes - Prof. Stefania Tusini
Second Semester
Geoglobal Changes and Human Resilience - Integrated Course
- Change and Human Resilience - Prof. Piero Ciccioli
- Geography for Sustainability - Prof. Chiara Biscarini
Green and Circular Economy - Francesco Asdrubali
International Security and Sustainable Development Lab - Prof. Federico Niglia
Water Diplomacy and Science Lab - Prof. Tommaso Pacetti
The course syllabi from the previous academic year are available in the archive.
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Notices
English Language Preparation Course for Bachelor's Degrees – Dr. Collins – Postponement of Lesson Start Date
Classes will begin on October 5th.
Cyber Security and Sustainability, Information Technology module for Sustainability - SOCI II - Prof. Santucci - postponed start of classes
Classes will begin on October 6, 2026
Publication of Timetables for the First Semester, Academic Year 2026-2027
The first semester schedules are available online.