OVERVIEW

The course focusses on the development of knowledge and understanding of the main approaches in geography - and particularly in historical geography - to landscape research, for its interpretation, conservation and enhancement.

The course analyses the different ways in which geography has conceptually and methodologically promoted the valorisation of landscape and the environment as objects of specific political practices and as keys to understanding the evolution of the environment-development relationship.

The course aims to provide geography's fundamental theoretical tools, and to use them as keys for understanding the reality of landscape research and the developments of landscapes in Europe.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course analyses the different ways in which geography has conceptually and methodologically promoted the valorisation of landscape and the environment as objects of specific political practices and as keys to understanding the evolution of the environment-development relationship.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide tools for understanding the dynamics between humans and the environment, with both a spatial and temporal approach.

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

1. Correct use of science related terminology: definitions and concepts.
2. To be able to actively apply basic concepts of landscape science in the observation and analysis of landscapes and environment.
3. Searching for and critical analysis of the various sources of landscape analysis for the purpose of a landscape analysis.
4. Observing and analysis of landscapes actively by means of a practical exercise. 
5. Written report of the landscape observation, including the use of photographs and cartographic material.

PREREQUISITES

No specific prerequisites are required.

TEACHING METHODS

The lectures and seminar sessions are organized on campus, given the large interactivity during the lessons. Attendance, although not compulsory, is strongly recommended.

Only for those who expressly request it at the beginning of the course, it will be possible to follow the lessons remotely (in streaming via the Teams platform). In this case, you will be considered for all intents and purposes as a non-attending student and the syllabus to be brought will be the one specifically for non-attending students.

For students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA).

Students with disabilities or DSA are reminded that in order to request adjustments in the exam, they must first enter their certification on the University website at servizionline.unige.it in the "Students" section. The documentation will be checked by the University's Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and DSA Sector.

Subsequently, well in advance (at least 10 days) of the exam date, an e-mail must be sent to the teacher with whom the exam is to be taken, including in copy knowledge of both the School Referring Teacher for the inclusion of students with disabilities and with DSA (Elisabetta.Colagrossi@unige.it) and the Sector indicated above. The e-mail must specify

• the name of the course;
• the date of the exam;
• the student's surname, first name and roll number;
• the compensatory tools and dispensatory measures deemed functional and required.

The contact person will confirm to the teacher that the applicant is entitled to request adaptations in the examination and that these adaptations must be agreed upon with the teacher. The lecturer will respond by stating whether the requested adaptations can be used.

Requests must be sent at least 10 days before the date of the exam in order to allow the lecturer to assess their content. In particular, if concept maps are to be used for the exam (which must be much more concise than the maps used for study), if the submission does not respect the deadline there will not be the technical time necessary to make any changes.

For further information on requesting services and adaptations, please consult this document.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

This course consists of the basis of landscape research and contains five theoretical modules and a practical exercise:

Theoretical modules:

1. Introduction: the concept of landscape defined from different perspectives, situation and history of landscape science, disciplines studying landscape
2. Landscape research approaches and basic concepts: holism, patterns and processes
3. Analysis of spatial patterns and landscape synthesis: constituent elements (landscape elements, components and structures).
4. Landscape mapping, sources and methods for landscape and environmental research and monitoring
5. Landscape classification: typology and chorology, landscape characterisation

Throughout the modules, the genesis of landscapes and environments in Europe is addressed through the integration of case studies.

Practical exercise:

At the end of the course, students will do an observation and analysis of a landscape of their own choice, including and implementing skills, sources, methods and tools acquired during the course (e.g. terrain mapping, aerial photography, cartographic material, ...).

The exercise includes a written report and a classical presentation for their peers. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Teaching materials made available on AulaWeb:

• Slides and notes
• Handbook: Antrop, M., Van Eetvelde, V., 2017. Landscape Perspectives. The Holistic Nature of Landscape. Springer
• Cartographic material (maps, photographs, ...)
• Books and/or articles used during seminar lectures

For NON-attending students, reading of Antrop and Van Eetvelde (2017) is required, plus an essay/chapter of your choice from the following list:

• Antrop, M., Van Eetvelde, V., 2017. Landscape Perspectives. The Holistic Nature of Landscape. Springer
• Dai Prà E., Gabellieri N. (2021) Bridging geographical research and political action: the Trentino Italian region in the scientific and socialist writings of Cesare Battisti, 1895–1914,
• Journal of Historical Geography, 71, 83-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhg.2021.01.005.
• Dossche R, Van Eetvelde V, Rogge E (2016) Detecting people’s and landscape’s identity in a changing mountain landscape. An example from the Northern Apennines. Landscape Research, doi/full/10.1080/01426397.2016.1187266 (impact factor: 1,012 for 2015)
• Wylie, J. (2011) Landscape, in J.A. AGNEW-D.N. LIVINGSTONE (a cura di), The SAGE Handbook of Geographical Knowledge, Londra, SAGE, pp. 300-315

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

REBEKKA ANNIE PAUL DOSSCHE (President)

LORENZO BROCADA

CARLA PAMPALONI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The lessons will start on Tuesday, 16th of September 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination of open questions with written preparation.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The student will be evaluated based on the

• practical exercise
• oral examination

The assessment will take into account:

• quality of exposure and appropriate use of the specialist lexicon:
• argumentative and critical reasoning skills on the study carried out;
• ability to link different topics.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To pass the examination of the course, the student needs to hand in the exercise

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

All information and materials relating to this teaching are published exclusively on this website.