CODE 118267 ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026 CREDITS 3 cfu anno 1 SCIENZE E CULTURE AGROALIMENTARI DEL MEDITERRANEO 11758 (L/GASTR R) - IMPERIA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR M-GGR/02 LANGUAGE Italian TEACHING LOCATION IMPERIA SEMESTER 2° Semester MODULES Questo insegnamento è un modulo di: GEOGRAPHICAL, ANTHROPOLOGICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO AGRI-FOOD SECTOR OVERVIEW Rural geography studies the people, places, and landscapes of rural areas, as well as the social and economic processes that shape these geographies. In an educational context, we will particularly focus on defining the rural landscape as a product of geographical-physical and socio-economic dynamics, with special attention to the Ligurian and Mediterranean contexts. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES This course aims to provide students with the tools to analyze and interpret the main phenomena currently shaping rural areas across the Mediterranean, with a specific focus on the territorial and landscape dynamics of the Ligurian mountains. The genesis and diversification of rural landscapes are intrinsically linked to a system of agro-silvo-pastoral practices that have almost entirely disappeared due to the depopulation of inland areas. By examining specific case studies characterized by the coexistence of cultural landscapes and local productions, students will gain the skills necessary to identify effective strategies for territorial development and enhancement in the field of sustainable agri-food production within rural contexts. AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: Identify the elements and underlying factors of the territorial articulation of rural areas and their geographical differentiation. Identify the main physical-geographical and socio-economic phenomena in rural areas, also with reference to historical-geographical processes and the evolution of agri-food production. Analyze and re-elaborate data and information, correctly using documentary sources (scientific literature, cartography) and field data. Trace connections between rural landscapes and their associated agri-food products. Expand their geographical vocabulary and be able to prepare an oral presentation and a written paper on topics related to rural geography. TEACHING METHODS The course consists of asynchronous online lessons dedicated to the exposition and discussion of the main notions of rural geography and its applications at the Mediterranean, national, and regional scales. Integrative in-person classroom activities are also planned. Materials used during the lessons will be uploaded to Aulaweb, as will other materials such as: reports, links to databases, reference texts, and supplementary materials to those indicated in the bibliography. The final part of the course will be dedicated to the preparation and presentation of group projects developed by attending students. Students with a valid physical or learning disability certification on file with the University who wish to discuss any accommodations or other circumstances related to lectures, courses, and exams should speak with both the lecturer and Prof. Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it), the Polytechnic School's disability liaison SYLLABUS/CONTENT Part One Introduction to rural geography: concepts and themes, main methodological approaches, research tools. Rural areas in Italy and the Mediterranean. Current environmental and socio-economic processes with particular reference to agri-food production. Part Two Rural areas of Liguria: Analysis of geographical-historical evolution and landscape dynamics (depopulation of mountain areas, urbanization of valley floors, contraction of agricultural production). Analysis of the current situation (renaturalization, hydrogeological risk, recent cases of "return to the land," enhancement of local products). Part Three Group projects (groups of 3-5 people) on representative case studies (chosen by students based on topics developed in class). Group projects will be presented in class and must be developed in the form of a short thesis, subject to evaluation during the exam for attending students. RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY Attending Students: Materials uploaded on Aulaweb, integrated by what is presented by the lecturer in class and appropriately summarized in notes taken during lessons. To support their notes, attending students will need to prepare some articles that will be indicated by the lecturer. Non-Attending Students: Materials uploaded on Aulaweb. To support their notes, non-attending students will need to prepare some articles that will be indicated by the lecturer. Non-attending students are also required to study the volume: Emilio Sereni, Storia del Paesaggio Agrario Italiano (Laterza, 1961 or subsequent editions). TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD PIETRO PIANA Ricevimento: Student office hours for current students and graduating students are held on TUESDAYS from 3 PM to 5 PM at the lecturer's office at DISPI - Albergo dei Poveri, Piazzale Brignole, 2 canc., Torre Centrale, IV Piano, Stanza 4/38, or via the TEAMS channel "Ricevimento Piana", code: rkgn47v. Please always notify the lecturer in advance by email at pietro.piana@unige.it to arrange a specific time. LESSONS LESSONS START https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11758/studenti-orario Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION Written examination (open-ended questions). ASSESSMENT METHODS The questions are formulated to assess both the degree of comprehension of theoretical notions and the ability to reason using these notions. Questions on theoretical concepts will help to assess the level of understanding. Questions which require the elaboration of a reasoning will make it possible to assess the level of competence and the autonomy of judgement acquired by the student.
