The concept of “landscape” has become crucial in national and international public and academic debates on sustainable territorial governance and heritage. The course aims to provide students with the conceptual and methodological tools of the geographical and historical-geographical approach, designed to foster a critical, diachronic, and interdisciplinary perspective on territorial, environmental, and landscape issues, including their application in management and enhancement practices.
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.
Students will acquire skills in reading and interpreting the main types of sources (textual, iconographic, cartographic, and field-based) used in geographical and historical-geographical research.
The main objectives of the course are:
By the end of the course, students will:
There are no specific requirements.
The course will be delivered through in-person lectures, supported by in-depth presentation slides.
The course focuses in particular on the general concepts and key terms of the geographical discipline, the main methodologies employed, the thematic issues currently under debate, and potential developments in the public and applied spheres related to the study of landscape. Special attention is given to the theme of the “historical landscape,” its diachronic analysis through the landscape biography approach, and reflection on the current processes of heritagization affecting rural landscapes.
The course is structured as a series of lectures aimed first at providing a general epistemological and theoretical framework, followed by a set of in-depth research-focused sessions. Methodologies are presented both in terms of their theoretical foundations and through the discussion of case studies.
The topics covered include:
The list of readings may be subject to change; therefore, before purchasing or borrowing the texts, it is advisable to wait for the start of the course and the presentation of the syllabus by the instructor.
Attending students are required to study for the exam:
1. The content of the lectures and the materials provided during the course
2. One volume of their choice from the following list:
Non-attending students are required to study for the exam:
1. Two volumes of their choice from the list above
2. The following articles:
Ricevimento: Only by appointment (rebekka.dossche@unige.it).
REBEKKA ANNIE PAUL DOSSCHE (President)
CARLA PAMPALONI
LORENZO BROCADA (Substitute)
February 2026
Assessment of learning will take the form of an individual oral examination based on the reference texts and lecture notes, aimed at evaluating both the acquisition of course content and the student’s ability to critically rework and articulate arguments.
The examination aims to assess knowledge of the fundamental contents of the discipline, as well as methodological and interpretative skills. It will also evaluate the ability to address the topics using appropriate terminology, with clarity and critical insight.
