The course focuses on the main concepts and theoretical aspects related to the rural development processes and how they can influence the organization of local development paths.

Rural development includes economic development, in the growing attention on sustainability /socially and environmentally defined). By reviewing specialistic literature concept of prosperity, resilience, co-production, livelihoods and social sustainability will be analyzed and debated among the mates and with the professor. The course will then focus on the ideas behind the concepts of innovation and change and the link with participatory approaches, social innovation initiatives, transition/transformative paths.

Application of selected paths for development will be also addressed during the classes by using a specific archive

Students will be stimulated to work with flipped classes methods. A selection of article and cases will be offered to their study and will be presented in class by students for the collective discussion. The presentation done by students will be evaluated for the course.

Literature review and analysis. Link between concepts and cases of rural development. Specific seminars with local stakeholders will be organized in order to offer further opportunities to students

According with the covid situation direct application during field visits could be organized for further applications of the concepts during meeting and interviews

Students will be assessed on this aspect by critically reviewing specific cases as well as by applying them during field visits

Rural development match with the capability to listen, to work in group, to facilitate and mediate collective understanding and solutions.

Students will be asked to work in group and to critically evaluate their activity