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

The course offers students in the first year of the Master's degree in Geography and Territorial Processes an introductory overview of the themes of Human Geography, aimed at providing the theoretical and methodological foundations of the discipline in order to tackle all the other subjects in the course of study.
The course aims at providing a good knowledge of the history of geographical thought from the Enlightenment to the present day and of the fundamental concepts of geography, as well as some in-depth analysis of the areas in which the study of geography is declined (cities, environment and development, culture, mobility, etc.).

Readings/Bibliography

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

1. Minca C. (Eds.), Appunti di Geografia, CEDAM, 2022.
2. A book of your choice from the following:

• Bonora P., Fermiamo il consumo di suolo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015.
• Farinelli F., L’invenzione della Terra, Palermo, Sellerio, 2016.
• Jakob M., Il paesaggio, Il Mulino, Bologna 2009.

ATTENDING STUDENTS

1. Study of the slides shown in class and of the notes
2. Participation in class activities that will include the reading, presentation and 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
Attending students must follow the specific programme presented in the first lecture and described in the course presentation power point.
The material to be studied will be supplemented by participation in the teaching activities.

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

Throughout the year, the following rounds of examinations are offered: January, February, April and May/June. 

Attending students will be considered so only up to the summer session following the lessons.
For attending students, the examination is aimed at verifying the understanding of the geographical, social and cultural phenomena described during the lessons, introduced both through the lectures given by the lecturer and through the work carried out and presented directly by the students and discussed in class.

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.

 

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Non-attending students must study the entire programme presented here and are NOT required to study the lecture slides.

The exam consists in a written exam, to which students enrol via AlmaEsami.

Throughout the year, the following rounds of examinations are offered: January, February, April and May/June.

For non-attending students, the exam is aimed at verifying understanding of the geographical, social and cultural phenomena studied in the exam texts. During the examination the student will be invited to propose his/her own reflections on the geographical facts inherent to the course, also through the use of examples aimed at explaining 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 Elisa Magnani