B3550 - History and Cultural Heritage in European Cities

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will: - understand the significance of urban environments through the transformations that occurred over time in relation to various political and institutional phases; - have a comparative view between Italian and European cities through specific examples; - be able to use sources such as aerial photos of urban settlements to identify the stages of their development from antiquity to the present; - recognize the reasons for the shaping of Europe's cultural heritage and in particular its historical urban landscape.

Course contents

Cultural Heritage offers a bridge between the past and the future by means of the present. The importance of cultural heritage to the economic and social development of urban areas is specifically important in Europe, where the population and the economy are increasingly concentrated in urban areas. The course investigates the formation of the concept of cultural heritage in historical perspective and European geographical spectrum. It also dwells on the cases of destruction of cultural heritage occurred throughout history. Starting from the shaping of urban landscapes through the ages, the course also addresses the heritage values of urban space, which are overall values derived from the integration of different components.

Readings/Bibliography

• D. Nicholas, The Growth of the Medieval City: From Late Antiquity to the Early Fourteenth Century, London, Longman, 1997
• Choay, Françoise. The Invention of the Historic Monument. Cambridge University Press, 2001.

Teaching methods

Teaching is by a combination of class lectures, seminars and visits to historical places in Bologna and beyond.

Assessment methods

Learning is assessed through a final written examination comprising three open-ended questions, designed to assess students’ knowledge of the main course content, their ability to contextualise the topics covered historically and critically, and their appropriate use of specialist terminology.
The questions will cover both the topics discussed during the course and those contained in the recommended reading list, with particular focus on:
the formation and historical evolution of the concept of cultural heritage in Europe;
the development of landscapes and urban spaces from antiquity to the late Middle Ages;
the processes of heritage designation and the construction of cultural values associated with urban space;
historical cases of destruction, loss and transformation of cultural heritage;
the role of cultural heritage in the economic, social and identity-related development of cities.
Assessment will take the following criteria into account:
knowledge and understanding of the course content and the reading list;
the ability to analyse and place the phenomena studied in their historical context;
the ability to critically link themes, concepts and case studies;
clarity of expression and correct use of terminology;
the ability to present arguments and organise responses logically. 

To pass the exam, students must demonstrate adequate knowledge of all three questions set.

Using AI during the assessment is prohibited.

Teaching tools

Sources, images and maps visualization.

Office hours

See the website of Rosa Smurra