19695 - Development Geography

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will know the theories of development, the causes of underdevelopment and the connections between this and the environment, together with sustainable development. Moreover they will understand the strategies of poverty reduction worldwide, promoted by the international bodies, through sustainable development policies and territorial practices realized at the local level, such as tourism and international cooperation.

Course contents

The course will deal with the following issues:

• Development indexes
• Development/Underdevelopment
• Mainstream and alternative theories of development + post-development theories
• Territorial impacts: environment, society, economy

Readings/Bibliography

Students are required to study 3 book:

1. The handbook: Bignante E., Bini V., Giunta I., Minoia P., Geografie critiche della cooperazione internazionale. Torino, UTET Università, 2024.

2. Listen to all 6 episodes of the Unibo Podcast “Beyond Borders” (https://magazine.unibo.it/archivio/2025/05/28/oltre-i-confini-il-nuovo-podcast-di-ateneo-sui-cambiamenti-in-atto-e-le-strategie-per-affrontarli) and discuss them with the professor.

The podcast is available on the Spotify platform, at the following link: https://open.spotify.com/show/66d7eKaCwg6X0OP3f5Mz6F

3. 1 book chosen among the following:

• Giacomelli E., Magnani E., Musarò P., Walker S., Crisi climatica, mobilità e giustizia sociale. Voci e storie dal Senegal, Derive Approdi, Bologna, 2023.
• Mastrojeni G., Pasini A., Effetto serra, effetto guerra. Clima, conflitti, migrazioni: l'Italia in prima linea, Chiarelettere, Milano, 2017.
• Moore J.W., Patel R., Una storia del mondo a buon mercato, Feltrinelli, Milano, 2018.
• Pettenati G., Toldo A., Il cibo tra azione locale e sistemi globali. Spunti per una geografia dello sviluppo, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2018.
• Puttilli M. , Geografia delle fonti rinnovabili. Energia e territorio per un'eco-ristrutturazione della società, Milano, Angeli, 2014.
• Raworth K., L'economia della ciambella, Edizioni Ambiente, Milano, 2017.

Attending students will read and discuss about these books during the classes

Teaching methods

In presence lessons, supported by the use of power point presentations, available among the didactic materials.

Students will be invited to share a participative attitude during the lessons, by participating to class/group discussions, seminars and other cooperative activities.

Assessment methods

The examination is an oral one for which students will have to register for on the AlmaEsami website.

The exam aims at testing their comprehension of the geographical, economical, social and cultural phenomena studied. Moreover, students will be evaluated on their communication skills and on the use of a correct terminology.

 

Students with DSA or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is advisable to get in touch immediately with the University office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ) and with the lecturer, in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the exam. Requests for adaptations must be made within 15 days of the date of the exam, by sending an email to the lecturer and entering the email address disabilita@unibo.it (in the case of a disabling condition) or dsa@unibo.it (for students with DSA) in Cc.

Teaching tools

The PowerPoint presentations used by the lecturer will be publishedamong the didactic materials.

Office hours

See the website of Elisa Magnani