28462 - Theories and Models of Space (LM)

Course contents

The course introduces some main issues of the contemporary geographical thinking, starting from authors like David Harvey, Edward W. Soja, Neil Brenner and Suart Elden.

Specific topics concerning the spatialization of the ideas of city, sovereignty, and border will be analyzed during the lessons. Theories, models and their implications will be connected to specific case studies.

The course offers critical instruments to understand some issues affecting contemporary geographical space both at local and global scale.

Readings/Bibliography

Students have to study 3 of these 4 books:

(only Compass LM students - 8 cfu course - have to choose 2 of 3)

- Amin Ash, Thrift Nigel (2020), Vedere come una città, Milano, Mimesis;

- Brown Wendy (2013), Stati murati, sovranità in declino, Roma-Bari, Laterza;

- Brenner Neil (2016), Stato, spazio, urbanizzazione, Milano, Guerini;

- Harvey David (2013), Città ribelli. I movimenti urbani dalla Comune di Parigi a Occupy Wall Street, Milano, Il Saggiatore;

and 1 of these 4 books:

- Maier Charles S. (2019), Dentro i confini. Territorio e potere dal 1500 a oggi, Torino, Einaudi. 

- Rossi Ugo (2017), Cities in Global Capitalism, Cambridge, Polity Press;

- Soja Edward W. (2007), Dopo la metropoli. Per una critica della geografia urbana e regionale, Bologna, Pàtron;

- Tanca Marcello (2012), Geografia e filosofia. Materiali di lavoro, Milano, Franco Angeli.

 

 

Teaching methods

Course will be taught through a mixture of formal lectures and discussion classes. Its aim will be to facilitate interaction between the lecturer and students and to stimulate debate among students.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a written examination on the texts indicated in the bibliography (one question for each text). Students attending the lessons can alternatively prepare a paper focusing on the main course topics (see instructions in the attached file) and prepare an oral examination on two texts.

Given the importance of class attendance for an appropriate training process, the paper is strongly recommended for attending students. This will support active class participation and better understanding of topics.

The final evaluation will be based on analytical and critical knowledge of syllabus and communicative ability. In these respect students will be evaluated on the ability to think critically about the topics developed during the lessons and the use of a correct terminology.

Teaching tools

Geographical representations, slides, videos, IOL platform and Microsoft Teams.

Office hours

See the website of Emanuele Frixa