AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to introduce students to the themes of population geography, migration and the so-called climate change, migration and conflict nexus. In particular, the objectives of the course include understanding the complexity of migratory phenomena by considering the links between them, the conflict dynamics between groups and the relationship with the environment. The course aims to ensure the understanding of the different forms of human mobility through the presentation of case studies from different geographical contexts. Furthermore, aspects related to mobility spaces will be explored in depth with particular reference to camp studies. At the end of the course the student will know: the nature and possibility of use of the main demographic indices and indicators; the fundamental traits of the history of the world population; the main factors and the forms taken over time by international migratory movements and how the dynamics induced by Global Climatic Change (GCC) can currently intervene on those of migration phenomena. Consequently, the student will be able to use the basic tools of demography to understand and interpret the main lines of the history of the distribution of the world population and its evolution in time and space, of migratory movements and their connections with factors environmental (and in particular the so-called GCC), economic, social and cultural. For this purpose, the student will first have to memorize a set of notions and definitions essential to identify, describe and analyze demographic and migratory phenomena. Secondly, they will have to know how to apply some elementary statistical models and use the analytical tools made available by the historical-geo-cartographic sciences. Finally, he/she will have to be able to apply these tools to the analysis of the migratory phenomena that characterize the second half of the 20th century and the first two decades of the 21st century. In this way at the end of the course the user will be able to evaluate and contextualize different types and methods of migration and this will allow him to formulate critical interpretations of them and of the interventions that are proposed in different political and institutional settings.

TEACHING METHODS

The lessons will be mainly frontal and held in Italian. The presentation of testimonies and interventions by experts or operators in the sector is foreseen.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is divided into two parts. In the first: 1) the fundamental concepts of climate change will be introduced, outlining its main characteristics, causes and consequences at a global and local level. The concepts of extreme event, risk, disaster and vulnerability will be examined, highlighting the impact of climate change on their trend; 2) the existing link between environmental dynamics and their impact on the territories and the populations that inhabit them will be addressed; 3) The relationship between environmental risks and disasters and the various forms of human mobility will be analysed, including involuntary movements and migrations. 4) the so-called Climate-Migration-Conflict Nexus will be addressed by adopting a geographical perspective, explaining the complex network of relationships that distinguish. Through the presentation of a case study relating to the county of Turkana (Kenya), the theoretical reflection will be supported by the results of the research carried out in the field; 5) possible intervention tools and policies aimed at reducing and managing disaster risk and involuntary mobility will be explored.

In the second part of the course we will address the study of the main components of the demographic analysis of a human population. In particular we will focus on: demographic growth strategies (mortality, nuptiality, fertility, mobility and migration); demographic development between choice and constraint; the demographic transition model, relationships between demographic dynamics, evolution of the environmental context and resources. This will be followed by the study of the most historically relevant international migrations and contemporary ones divided into large geographical regions. We will then move on to an analysis of the relationships between demographic dynamics and development. Finally, the issues of the acceleration of migratory phenomena during the 19th century, the reversal of the migratory cycle starting from the second half of the 20th century, the relationships between globalization processes and migratory movements, the economic and social effects of migratory movements will be addressed. contemporaries on the countries of origin and destination and finally of the relationships between migrations and climate changes and between migrations and religious phenomena.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

H. De Haas, S. Casles & M.J. Miller (2022), The age of migration (6th edition), Bloomsbury, London (ad esclusione dei capitoli: 11 e 12) 

M. Livi Bacci (2011), In cammino. Breve storia delle migrazioni.  Il Mulino, Bologna

M. Spotorno, D. Tarantino (2021), Migrants and the Challenge of the Faith. Identity and Adaptation PM Edizioni, Varazze. (limitatamente alle pagine 17 - 31 e 149 - 179)

A text to be chosen from:

M. Livi Bacci (2024), La geodemografia. Il peso dei popoli e i rapporti tra stati. Il mulino, Bologna.

M. Sammers (2012), Migrazioni. Carocci editore, Roma

The study of the texts indicated above must be integrated with that of the material that will be inserted by the teacher on Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

STEFANIA MANGANO (President)

PIETRO PIANA

SALVATORE BRUNO BARBA (President Substitute)

MAURO SPOTORNO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course will take place in the second semester on the days provided for in the teaching calendar.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is carried out orally

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral interview will allow to evaluate:

- mastery and deepening of knowledge,
- the ability to use the skills developed.

Evaluation criteria are:

- the quality of the exhibition,
- the correct use of the appropriate vocabulary,
- accurate knowledge of the contents of the topics covered.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have regularly filed a certification of DSA, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact both the contact person Prof. Aristide Canepa (aristide.canepa@unige.it) and the teacher at the beginning of the course, to agree teaching and examination methods which, in compliance with the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory tools.