B0909 - Lab. Housing Deprivation and Socio-spatial Analysis

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is able:- to have a general overview of the housing conditions at the different territorial scales; - to analyze and interpret the phenomenon of housing discomfort at the different territorial areas; - to develop socio-spatial analysis of housing demand; - to understand and evaluate, starting from the spatial variable, the housing needs.

Course contents

The reading and processing of data and information are relevant activities in social research and in many professional fields, as they make it possible to describe complex phenomena and identify their main territorial dimensions.

The laboratory adopts the spatial dimension as a key perspective for analysing housing issues. Through the exploration of selected topics and the analysis of empirical cases and examples, the course aims to introduce students to the use of maps as tools for representing and interpreting social phenomena.

Particular attention will be paid to the mapping of housing deprivation and to the use of territorial data. The workshop will also provide an initial introduction to QGIS, aimed at acquiring the basic operations needed to read, organise and represent spatial information.

Topics covered

• Contemporary housing issues and the main forms of housing deprivation;
• the territorial dimension of housing phenomena;
• introduction to social cartography and thematic maps;
• sources, data and indicators for analysing housing;
• examples of cartographic representation applied to housing issues;
• introduction to QGIS;
• basic operations: data import, style management, labelling and map composition;
• case studies and individual or group exercises.

Readings/Bibliography

The professor will provide specific bibliographic indications based on the needs of the students during the course itself

Teaching methods

Lectures with use of computers in a computer lab. Discussion of empirical cases and exercises. the maximum collaboration of the students present is required.

 

Given the nature of the activities and teaching methods used, attendance at this training course requires all students to first complete modules 1 and 2 of the training course on safety in the workplace, [https://elearning-sicurezza.unibo.it/] in e-learning mode.

Assessment methods

The examination is assessed on a pass/fail basis.

Credits are awarded when the following conditions are met:

attendance at at least 7 out of 10 classes;
submission of a final assignment.

The final assignment must be submitted by email to the lecturer at least 10 days before the official examination date and may take one of the following forms:

an essay focusing on an aspect or a specific dimension of the housing issue, supported by one or more explanatory maps produced independently;

a research project proposal, presented in a concise and schematic form, concerning an aspect of the housing issue. The proposal must indicate the topic and the relevant territorial context, the research question and any hypotheses, the sources and data that could be used, the indicators identified, the proposed use of QGIS, and the thematic maps that would be produced;

a project proposal related to the field of social work, focusing on a socially relevant issue connected to housing, with an indication of the problem addressed, the objectives, the intervention methodology, the territorial context, and the possible implications for social policies and social services.

A pass will be awarded on the basis of the coherence, accuracy, originality, and completeness of the contents of the assignment.

With regard to the assessment of learning, limited, declared, and non-substantial use of AI is permitted for support activities such as summarising and rephrasing. Substantial use of AI to complete parts of the assessment is not permitted.

Teaching tools

PC, internet, powerpoint, QGIS software, eventually lessons from external guests

Students who require specific services and adaptations to teaching activities due to a disability or specific learning disorders (SLD), must first contact the appropriate office: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .

Office hours

See the website of Manuela Maggio