33715 - Political Geography (1) (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

The course focuses on the analysis of geopolitics and international politics from a geographical perspective. By linking the history of geography and geopolitics to colonialism and European imperialism the course aims at introducing the students to critical human geography and the understanding of how spatial theory and spatial practices are related to power and culture. Students will learn how to critically reflect and analyse contemporary cases of geopolitical interventions and discourses.

Course contents

In the first part, the course will introduce the origins and the development of geography and political geography since the end of the 19th century. More specifically, it will discuss the concepts of territory, nation state, region and border, adopting the methodologies of critical human geography. The emergence of geography as an academic discipline and a 'popular' form of knowledge will be linked to colonialism and the epistemologies and the associated narratives that have characterised European imperialism. 

In the second part, the course will examine the history and the contemporary use of Geopolitics and the different stages of geopolitical theories: the geopolitics of European imperialism, cold war and post-cold war geopolitics, all presenting according to the perspectives offered by the field known as Critical Geopolitics. In this part, the relationship between Orientalism and geography and the geographers' understanding of the Nomos of the Earth will also be discussed.

Readings/Bibliography

ATTENDING STUDENTS

For the preparation of their exam, attending students are required to study the materials distributed and discussed in class and the following book:

1) Minca C., Bialasiewicz L., Spazio e politica. Riflessioni di geografia critica, Padova, Cedam, 2004.

Additional readings will be provided during the lectures.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

For the preparation of their exam, non-attending students are required to study the following books:

1) Minca C., Bialasiewicz L., Spazio e politica. Riflessioni di geografia critica, Padova, Cedam, 2004.

2) Painter J., Jeffrey, A. Geografia politica, UTET, 2011

3) One book between:

- Schmitt C., Il nomos della terra, Milano, Adelphi, 1991.

- Said E.W., Orientalismo, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 1991.

Teaching methods

The course is structured around a series of seminars in which the students are expecting to be involved in an open discussion facilitated by the lecturer. During the first class the lecturer will provide detailed instructions on how the course is organised, on the content, on the readings and on the exam.

Students who intend to take the exam as 'attending students' are expected to attend no less than 80% of the lectures.

Assessment methods

ATTENDING STUDENTS

Attending students will write and submit an original essay focussed on one of the topics discussed during the course. The subject of the essay will be previously agreed with the lecturer who will provide additional support regarding the bibliography and the structure of the main argument.

The final assessment will consider the originality of the essay, its capacity to adopt a vocabulary in line with the discipline of political geography as well as a correct written expression. The student's ability to contribute to the discussion during the lectures will be considered the definition of the final grade.

 

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

Non-attending students will hold an oral test based on the materials discussed in the indicated bibliography. Their final mark will reflect their capacity to understand the concepts, the theories and the case studies presented in the relevant books, as well as their use of a clear argument and proper vocabulary.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations, websites, video clips, readings and relevant documents from the media.

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Minca