70064 - Urban Geography (LM)

Academic Year 2019/2020

  • Docente: Matteo Proto
  • Credits: 12
  • SSD: M-GGR/01
  • Language: Italian
  • Moduli: Matteo Proto (Modulo 1) Matteo Proto (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Geography and Territorial Processes (cod. 0971)

    Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in History and Oriental Studies (cod. 8845)

Course contents

The course is organized in two modules. The first module provides a theoretical introduction to socio-historical research in the field of urban geography, with a specific focus on European cities. The course firstly presents the most relevant theoretical paradigms related to research in urban studies. It provides a critical geo-historical analysis of urban evolution and of the socio-spatial dimension of the European city since ancient time to the present.

The second module provides an empirical introduction to sources and methodologies to investigate urban space. Field research work and group work are also provided in order to analyze and comprehend socio-spatial phenomena at the urban scale. Related topics are: the right to the city in the neoliberal context, spatial justice and the city, social inequalities, urban regeneration, gentrification and touristification in contemporary cities.

Readings/Bibliography

ATTENDING STUDENTS

For attending students bibliography will be communicated at the beginning and during the course

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

Non-attending students that take the 6 CFU exam (module 1) have to study 3 books:

1) Giovannini C., La Geografia urbana, Bruno Mondadori, 2013

2) Vanolo A., Rossi U., Geografia politica urbana, Laterza, 2010

3) Choose one book between:

- Soja E., Dopo la metropoli, Patron 2008

- Castells M., La città delle reti, Marsilio, 2004

- Sassen S., Le città nell'economia globale, Il Mulino, 2010

- Amin A., Thrift N., Ripensare la dimensione urbana, Il Mulino, 2005

Non-attending students that take the 12 CFU exam (module 1+module 2)  have to study 5 books:

1) Giovannini C., La Geografia urbana, Bruno Mondadori, 2013

2) Vanolo A., Rossi U., Geografia politica urbana, Laterza, 2010

3) Soja E., Dopo la metropoli, Patron 2008

4) Choose one book:

- Castells M., La città delle reti, Marsilio, 2004

- Sassen S., Le città nell'economia globale, Il Mulino, 2010

5) Choose one book between:

- Amin A., Thrift N., Ripensare la dimensione urbana, Il Mulino, 2005

- Schlögel K., Arcipelago Europa. Viaggio nello spirito delle città, Bruno Mondadori, 2011

 

 

Teaching methods

The course is organized with lectures and seminars where the students participate at least as actively as the teacher. In the first lesson the lecturer gives information about bibliography and other teaching tools and instruments, which students have to analyse. Books, journal articles, maps, etc. become subject for the debate in the following lessons.

Attending students should therefore regularly be present at the course, at least more than 80% of the lessons.

The first module provides for lectures as well as seminars with debate and discussion. Text reading is expected (books, journal articles, book chapters) and these bibliographical sources are commented and analyzed during the lessons.

The second module provides also field research and research work groups

Assessment methods

ATTENDING STUDENTS

Attending students have to elaborate an original paper related to one of the topics examined during the course. Paper subject will be previously discussed with the professor. The student will receive additional indication and bibliography to develop the paper.

Final evaluation will consider paper originality, the capacity to exploit a proper vocabulary, relevant for urban geography as well as a correct written expression. Also the ability to interact in the debate during the course will be considered as part of the final grade.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

For non-attending students is expected an oral test concerning the study of the text in bibliography. Final evaluation will consider the capacity to understand and explain theories and case studies presented in the books, as well as a correct oral expression and proper vocabulary.

FINAL GRADES

Perfect and critical interpretation of the arguments and proper vocabulary and enunciation: excellent (27≤30L)

Concise and rote learning presentation, less original: between good (24≤26) and passable ((21≤23)

Minimal exposition and poor originality: passing grade (18≤20)

Teaching tools

Power point presentations

Cartography

Cloud sharing platform

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Proto