OVERVIEW

What does ‘landscape’ mean? In what context the concept was born and evolved? How can a landscape be protected and even enhanced? This course will try to answer these questions. Within the scientific discipline of geography, ‘landscape’ is a central concept and connected to the one of ‘territory’. In addition, within geographic studies, there is a large interest in the valorisation of landscapes as a natural and cultural heritage.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the theoretical and applicative knowledge necessary for the understanding of the fields of landscape research developed within the discipline of Geography. The course focuses on the reconstruction of the genesis of the landscape concept and the evolution of its meaning within geographical analysis. Secondly, it examines the different conservation and protection practices at international and national level. In addition, the interpretative models developed in contemporary research and political practice are explored. 

The complex relationship between landscape and environment, landscape design and use according to a sustainability criterion, together with the presentation of case studies, complete the analytical framework through which the student acquires the skills to read the landscape, recognizing it as a phenomenon not only territorial, but also socio-cultural.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The main objectives of the course are:

- acquiring the origin and meaning of the "landscape concept " in geography and other disciplines, and their evolution over time;

- getting to know the main tools for protection and enhancement of the landscape (e.g. Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape, European Landscape Convention, UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage);

- providing the basic knowledge for the reading and interpretation of the landscape from different points of view;

- illustrating the main tools for obtaining cartographic, visual and photographic documentation on the landscape that can be used within the analysis of case studies;

- acquiring skills for landscape analysis.

Particular attention will be given to case studies in which the evolution of the landscape is studied.

At the end of the course the students will be able:

- to illustrate the theoretical references of the evolution of the concept of landscape;

- to present, also critically, the main regulatory instruments for protection and enhancement of a landscape;

- to read and analyse a landscape;

- to acquire and use the specific and technical vocabulary of the discipline in an appropriate manner;

- to use geographical expertise to analyse the landscape and carry out diachronic comparisons.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements.

TEACHING METHODS

The lessons will hopefully be held in presence, with the possibility for students to follow even at a distance (confirmation of the method adopted will be given as soon as possible).

- Face-to-face lectures are executed with presentations and discussion based on the slides and videos;

- reading and analysis of maps, graphic and pictorial images and photographic comparisons;

- interactive discussions, through wooclap (instrument for immediate responses), starting from a visual approach;

- attending students will be offered a laboratory for reading and analysing the landscape, with the creation of specific maps that will be uploaded to a dedicated web portal;

- if possible, a field survey or a visit to a documentation centre is planned.

TEAMS code to follow in streaming: h32h8f4

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Students will study the following topics:

-  formal and informal landscape definitions;

- Regulatory instruments for the protection and enhancement of a landscape

-  the different elements and attributes of a landscape;

-  the interpretative models of a landscape in geography;

- Tools and techniques for landscape analysis and assessment: case studies

During the course, they will provide updated and in-depth data on the content and topics addressed.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The list of texts may possibly be modified and therefore it is advisable to wait for the start of the lessons and the presentation of the program by the teacher before purchasing or loaning.

For attending students:

- Carlo Tosco, Il paesaggio come storia, il Mulino, 2007 .

- Slide di approfondimento caricate sul portale aulaweb.

For non-attending students:

- Carlo Tosco, Il paesaggio come storia, il Mulino, 2007 

e uno a scelta tra i seguenti volumi / saggi:

- Paola Bonora, Fermiamo il consumo di suolo. I territorio tra speculazione, incuria e degrado, Bologna, il Mulino, 2015.

- Benedetta Castiglioni, Massimo De Marchi ( a cura di), Di chi  è il paeaggio, La partecipazione degli attori nella individuazione, valutazione e pianificazione, Padova, CLEUP, 2009. open access.

- Cristiano Giorda (a cura di), Geografia e Antropocene. Uomo, ambiente, educazione, Roma, Carocci editore, 2019.

- Massimo Morisi ( a cura di), 'Guardare' il paesaggio. Breve vademecum per gli Osservatori del Paesaggio in Toscana, Firenze, Firenze University Press, 2016. open access.

- Michael Jakob, Il paesaggio, Bologna, il Mulino, 2009.

- Corrado Teofili, Rosa Clarino (a cura di), Riconquistare il paesaggio. La convenzione Europea del Paesaggio e la conservazione della biodiversità in Italia, MIUR, WWF ong onlus, 2008 (solo Capitoli 1, 2, 3). open access, pdf scaricabile da sito www.wwf.it

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CARLA PAMPALONI (President)

REBEKKA ANNIE PAUL DOSSCHE

PIETRO PIANA (Substitute)

ANTONELLA PRIMI (President)

REBEKKA ANNIE PAUL DOSSCHE

MARIANNA DANIELE (Substitute)

CARLA PAMPALONI (President)

REBEKKA ANNIE PAUL DOSSCHE

MARIANNA DANIELE (Substitute)

ENRICO PRIARONE (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

March 1st  2022

Class schedule

GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF THE LANDSCAPE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam takes place in oral form, through an interview on the topics covered in class, on the materials provided online and on the texts in the program. The interview will also include the critical analysis of images, graphs, tables, maps and videos.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The interview:

- will evaluate the knowledge of the main theoretical references and spatial analysis models treated in class and present in the study texts;

- will allow to verify the ability to present and critically evaluate the main aspects, processes and problems faced by the geographical landscape analysis.

The evaluation will take into account:

- quality of exposure and appropriate use of the specialized vocabulary;

- argumentative capacity and critical reasoning on the study carried out;

- ability to make connections between the different topics addressed.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

All students are invited to periodically consult the page of this course on the AulaWeb e-learning portal (accessible from the University web site or at: https://www.aulaweb.unige.it).

All information and materials related to this teaching are published exclusively on that site.