TecnoCampus Foundation
eCampus
University Business
eCampus

What are you looking for?

General information

Subject type: Mandatory

Coordinator: Josep López Xarbau

Trimester: Second term

Credits: 6

Teaching staff: 

Virginia Espinosa Duro

Academic year: 2025

Teaching course: 3

Languages ​​of instruction

  • Catalan

Both the teaching of the subject and the teaching support material will be given in Catalan. As for the interlocutor, questions may be asked in either of the two co-official languages ​​and answered in the same language as they were asked, in order to facilitate the student's comprehension. 

Some sessions may include audio-visualing of materials in English as well as some exercises based on written material (mainly scientific articles and papers) also in English and Spanish.

Pel que fa a les activitats d'avaluació, es formularan en català, però es podran contestar indistintament, en català o castellà.

 

Competencies / Learning Outcomes

Specific skills

  • K16. Identify environmental technologies and the basic principles of sustainable development that are applied in engineering.

  • S16. Apply environmental technologies and the principles and objectives of sustainable development in industrial and human development and in environmental protection.

  • S34. Use specifications, regulations and standards in the field of industrial organization engineering.

  • S35. Detect, propose, analyze, model, make decisions and solve problems in the social, economic and environmental fields.

  • C27. Evaluate and implement the necessary actions to correct possible deviations from what has been planned and effectively execute the assigned role within the team.

  • C34. Develop a critical judgment in the face of a reality presented using arguments, being able to show collaborative work skills in various groups and recognizing the right of people to participate in issues that affect them, also identifying the challenges of the circular economy and current solutions in their discipline.

  • C36. Develop and present work and other activities, incorporating the gender perspective as a variable to be considered in the analysis of this reality and in decision-making.

Presentation of the subject

The subject of Sustainability broadly addresses the social, economic and environmental areas from the Industrial Revolution to the present day from the different disciplines that determine the human experience (sociology, economics, politics and technology essentially) with the purpose of first term, to analyze and diagnose missteps in this field and provide a basis for discussion in order to propose solutions in each of these three dimensions that encompasses sustainability.

In a second phase, the lines of ecological and socio-economic transition will be presented within the framework of the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations and European policy, to promote concrete actions and performances, in order to ensure the sustainable development of generations present and future.

The classroom in which the subject is taught (physically or virtually) is a safe space, free of sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic and discriminatory attitudes, whether towards students or teachers. We trust that together we can create a safe space where we can make mistakes and learn without having to suffer prejudice from others.

 Identification of plagiarism is considered a serious circumstance that may result in a failing grade for an activity. In case of detection of plagiarism, the coordination of the degree will be informed so that the corresponding disciplinary measures can be taken. 

Additional note: This subject is not part of the set of subjects integrated within the mobility program.

Contents

1 INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABILITY. Contextualization and Specific Terminology.

1.1 The three dimensions of Sustainability.

1.2 Sustainable Development.

1.3 Sustainable Development Goals. 

2 THE PARADIGM of the twentieth century. STATE OF THE WORLD.

2.1 Socio-Economic Context:

2.1.1 Industrial Revolution. Technological Development.

2.1.2 Welfare Society. Indicators.

2.1.3 Consumerism: Product-Consumer. Advertising & Marketing. Resources & Waste.

2.1.4 Globalization.

2.1.5 Population.

2.2 Environmental Scenario. Planetary Boundaries.

2.2.1 Loss of Biodiversity.

2.2.2 Pollution: Chemical Agents.

2.2.3 Reduction of the Ozone Layer.

2.2.4 Climate Change.

3 SUSTAINABLE PARADIGM.

3.1 Ecological Transition:

          3.1.1 Contextualization and justification.

           3.1.2 The European Policy:

  • European Green Deal: Major Community Directives.
  • Circular Economy Action Plan.

3.1.3 Circular Economy. Conceptual Framework

3.1.3.1 Objectives and Terminology.

3.1.3.2 Basic Principles: C2C. Industrial Ecology. biomimesis

3.1.3.3 Eco-design of the PRODUCT: Principles of Green Engineering.

3.1.3.4 Ellen Macarthur proposal.

3.2 Socio-Economic Transition:

3.2.1 Contextualization and justification.

3.2.2 New Social Contract; Social Justice.

3.2.3 Economic and Social Models. New metrics.

Activities and evaluation system

The final grade will be the weighted average of the grades for the evaluable activities specified below:

PARTIAL EXAM 1 (25%) + PARTIAL EXAM 2 (25%) + THEMATIC WORK (25%) + PRACTICES (25%)

You will need to get one minimum grade of 3 in each of the two written tests, to be able to choose to apply the corresponding weighting.

In the case of not reaching the minimum grade in each of the partial exams, the overall grade of the subject will remain limited to 4,5 in this first phase of continuous evaluation.

If the above assumption is made or, if the resulting average of the subject is lower than 5 applying the indicated weighting, the recovery mechanism for the theory component (Partial exams 1 and 2) will be activated, which will consist of the resolution of a Recovery exam of the theory component and which will account for the 50 % of the total calculation of the same.

In the case of passing the subject overall under this second recovery assumption, the final mark of the subject will remain bounded a 5.

Bibliography

Basic

CAVAGNARO Elena and CURIEL George, The Three Levels of Sustainability. Ed. Greehleaf Publishing. 2012. ISBN-13: 978-1906093-68-6.

SPINOSA DURÓ, Virginia. Notes on Sustainability. Internal Publication Tecnocampus University Center (upf). 2024 edition.

WEETMAN, Catherine, A Circular Economy Handbook for Business and Supply Chains. Publisher: Kogan. 2016. ISBN-13: 978-0749476755.

Complementary

MILLER, Tyler G. Jr., Environmental Science: Sustainable Development. A comprehensive approach. 5th Edition. Ed. International Thomson. 8th Edition. 2007. ISBN: 978-9706867803.

 

McDONOUGH, William and BRAUNGART, Michael. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the way we make things. Ed: Rodale Press. 2003. ISBN-13: 978-0865475878.