OVERVIEW

The course is dedicated to the study of the principles underlying the analysis of the territory in its partition into regional geographical units. Regional geography sees such partitions as the result of the interaction of anthropogenic and environmental factors and their consequent differentiation on the surface of the Earth. The division of global surface into specific regions is functional to the management of territory at regional scale.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing students with basic fundaments to deal with the analysis of regional spaces according to the semiotic perspective of complex systems. Regional spaces will be intended as parts of territory defined based on existing relations between its anthropic (cultural, social, institutional and economic) and natural components. At the end of the course, students will have: acquired the main notions linked to the definition of region as bi-modular complex system; understood how, operationally, the aim of sustainable development acquires a paradigmatic value to be associated to that of complex systemic dynamic typical of regional analysis; acquired knowledge of the main regionalisation techniques in geography and of key concepts such as centrality, diffusion and accessibility. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the student will be able to:

- identify the elements and factors underlying the territorial articulation on a regional basis and their differentiation on the surface of the Earth;

- analyse and investigate the causes of regional differentiation and the ways in which it manifests itself;

- read and interpret the main human and physical geographical features of the landscape at local and regional scale with particular reference to environmental issues

- know how to use the main tools and methods used by geographic science in the analysis of regionalization processes

- analyse and elaborate data and information, use correctly documentary sources (scientific literature, cartography) and field data

- be able to produce a geographical text on topics related to regional geography

PREREQUISITES

None

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of lectures for a total of 54 hours (equal to 9 CFU) and will be aimed at exposing and discussing the main notions of regional geography and its applications on a national, supranational and global scale; some field visits in case studies area will be carried out.

The materials used during the lessons will be uploaded on Aulaweb as well as other materials such as: reports, links to databases, reference and supplementary texts to those indicated in the bibliography.

Occasionally, Italian and foreign scholars and stakeholders may be invited to hold seminars or conferences in order to deepen specific issues pertaining to the topics covered.

Some didactic field visits will be carried out, aimed at developing specific case studies through geographical investigation techniques presented in class and meetings and interviews with stakeholders involved in the management and planning of territory.

The final part of the course will be devoted to the preparation and exposition of teamworks on specific projects developed by attending students. 

Positive assessment of the teamwork will allow attending students to acquire the following Open Badge: Personal skill - advanced level.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The program is divided into three parts:

FIRST PART: - The scientific paradigm of regional geography. The concept of region in contemporary geographical thought. Character and contents of the geographical region. The methods and tools of analysis. Region and planning between centralism and localism.

SECOND PART – The second part of the module will be dedicated to the development of specific case studies concerning the management of regions at Italian and European level. In particular we will develop the case of “problematic region” with reference to Italian internal areas. Themes which will be developed concern socio-demographic problems, landscape and environmental issues with specific reference to environmental and hydrogeological risk linked to rural depopulation and climate change.

THIRD PART – Teamworks (3-5 students) on significant case studies (choosen by the students based on the topics developed in class). The teamworks will be presented in class and will have to be developed in short essay, both will be assessed as part of the exam program for attending students.

The teaching deals with topics in line with the following goals and targets of the ONU 2030 Agenda

Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (in particular 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries; 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning; 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss (in particular 15.4 By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For attending student

Materials uploaded on Aulaweb, integrated by contents provided in class by the teacher and elaborated through written notes. When exhaustive written notes are missing, students have to use the text book

Text book:

Gavinelli D. e Bolcan Goldstei M., Regioni e regionalizzazione. Lo spazio-mondo in divenire, Pearson, 2022.

For Non-attending student

Text book:

Gavinelli D. e Bolcan Goldstei M., Regioni e regionalizzazione. Lo spazio-mondo in divenire, Pearson, 2022.

For the preparation of the exam, the study of the material that will be uploaded by the teacher on Aulaweb will be fundamental.

In addition, non-attending students will have to prepare one book of their choice amongst the following

Cannizzaro S., Corinto G.L., Porto C.M., Il Mediterraneo: dalla frattura regionale al processo d'integrazione, Bologna, Pàtron, 2009.

Gamberoni E., Pistocchi F., L'Africa Occidentale. Ritratto di un'Africa che cambia, Bologna, Patron, 2013.

Gavinelli D., Dal Borgo A.G. (a cura di), Asia-Pacifico: regione emergente. Luoghi, culture, relazioni, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2014.

Morazzoni M., Geopolitica dell'America Centrale. Le inquietudini, l'eredità, il futuro, Bologna, Archetipo, 2010.

Spotorno M., (a cura di), Risiko Mediterraneo: politiche, popoli, flussi, Franco Angeli, 2016.

Spotorno M., La carta è più interessante del territorio? Antinomie geografiche, Genova University Press, 2013.

Vaghi M. (a cura di), I mondi dell'Asia, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2016.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PIETRO PIANA (President)

STEFANIA MANGANO (President Substitute)

GABRIELE CASANO (Substitute)

MAURO SPOTORNO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course will start on the first week of the second semester of the 2023/24 academic year

Class schedule

L'orario di tutti gli insegnamenti è consultabile all'indirizzo EasyAcademy.

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

 The exam will take place in oral form. Although presented in class, work groups by attending students will be part of the oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam will allow you to evaluate:

- mastery of knowledge;

- the ability to use the principles and methods of the discipline  in the analysis of regional territorial problems considered at different scales (from local to global)

Evaluation criteria are:

- the quality of the exhibition;

- the correct use of the disciplinary lexicon;

- the ability of critical analysis:

- the precise knowledge of the concepts that are an integral part of the topics covered.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with DSA, disability or other special educational needs certification are advised to contact both the referent Prof. Aristide Canepa (aristide.canepa@unige.it) and the teacher at the beginning of the course. Just to agree on teaching methods and examinations which, in compliance with the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory tools. For further information, please refer to the page of the Unige website which contains the relevant information: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disabilita-informazioni-utili.

Team code: 2qwikej