B8127 - Introduction to Human Geography (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of key spatial and geographical concepts such as ‘territory’, ‘environment’, and ‘landscape’. They will learn about traditional and innovative models of geographical analysis, which they will be able to apply in an interdisciplinary context. This will enable them to conduct critical studies of spatial processes and understand the complex socio-demographic and cultural dynamics that influence the organization and management of geographical space at various scales within a global context.

Course contents

This introductory course is designed to provide first-year Master’s degree students on the Geography and Territorial Processes programme with the theoretical and methodological foundations necessary to approach the other modules. It offers an overview of the key topics in human geography.

The course provides an overview of the history of geographical thought and the fundamental concepts of the discipline. It also offers an in-depth exploration of various geographical fields of study, such as maps, scale, place, landscape, the city, the region and the territorial nation-state. The final part of the course will examine selected key approaches to geographical analysis in depth, enabling students to understand the various areas of specialisation offered by the Master's programme in human geography.

Readings/Bibliography

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

1. Minca C. (Eds.), Appunti di Geografia, CEDAM, 2022. 

ATTENDING STUDENTS

1. The slides shown in class and of the related notes
2. Participation in class activities that will include the reading, the presentation and the discussion of some chapters of the text:
   Minca C. (Eds.), Appunti di Geografia, CEDAM, 2022.

Teaching methods

Lectures, supplemented by power point presentations (made available to the students among the teaching materials), will alternate with moments of involvement of the attending students in informal and group teaching activities, and dialogue lectures.

Assessment methods

ATTENDING STUDENTS

Students attending the course must follow the specific programme presented in the first lecture and described in the PowerPoint presentation. Participation in teaching activities will supplement the material to be studied.

The exam consists of participation in class activities and an oral exam, which will be held in the Geography section of the Department. In order to take the exam, students must register on AlmaEsami.

Throughout the year, exam sessions are offered in November and December, and four additional sessions between March and September.

The examination for attending students aims to verify their understanding of the geographical, social and cultural phenomena discussed in class.

The assessment will also take into account students' communication skills, which require an appropriate knowledge of the course content, as well as the language skills necessary to demonstrate that they have understood and internalised the themes of the discipline.

NON ATTENDING STUDENTS

Non-attending students must study the book Appunti di Geografia and are not required to study the lecture slides.

The exam consists of an oral test, for which students enrol via AlmaEsami.

The exam for non-attending students aims to verify their understanding of the geographical, social and cultural phenomena studied in the exam texts. During the exam, students will be invited to share their reflections on geographical facts related to the course, using examples to explain the theoretical aspects studied.

In addition, the assessment will take into account the student's communication skills, which require not only an appropriate knowledge of the course content but also the appropriateness of language necessary to demonstrate that they have understood and internalised the themes of the discipline.

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.

Teaching tools

Power point presentations used during lectures and those presented by students during classroom activities will be made available as teaching materials.

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Minca