28462 - Theories and Models of Space (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the theoretical and methodological tools necessary to reflect on the nature of space and explore modernity through the concept of geographical space.

Course contents

The course introduces some main issues of the contemporary geographical thinking

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.

Module (1), THEORIES AND MODELS OF URBAN SPACE, will focus on the urban dimension, starting from the most recent theories related to the emergence of the planetary urbanization and the relationship between capital, infrastructure and space.

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

Readings/Bibliography

Students from 12 cfu course have to study 4 books:

One of these:

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

- Cuppini Niccolò (2023), Metropoli Planetaria 4.0 βeta Testing. Genealogie urbane tra infrastrutture e conflitti, Milano, Meltemi;

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

One of these:

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

- Moisio Sami e Ugo Rossi (2024), The Urban Field. Capital and Governmentality in the Age of Techno-Monopoly, Agenda Publishing.

Two of these:

- 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.

Only students from Module (1), THEORIES AND MODELS OF URBAN SPACE - 6 cfu - have to study 2 books:

One of these:

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

- Cuppini Niccolò (2023), Metropoli Planetaria 4.0 βeta Testing. Genealogie urbane tra infrastrutture e conflitti, Milano, Meltemi.

One of these:

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

- Moisio Sami e Ugo Rossi (2024), The Urban Field. Capital and Governmentality in the Age of Techno-Monopoly, Agenda Publishing.

 

 

 

 

 

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 on Virtuale) and prepare an oral examination on 2 texts (1 text if the exam is for 6cfu)

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.

Throughout the year, the following rounds of examinations are offered: january, march, may, june, september, november.

Teaching tools

Slides, geographical representations, videos, websites, Virtuale platform.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Emanuele Frixa