GEOGRAPHY I

The course is among the basic ones in the bachelor’s degree programme in Conservation of cultural heritage and performing arts management; it is dedicated to students whose surnames begin with the letters M to Z, and is duplicated for surnames beginning with the letters A to L.
The course provides the main concepts related to spatial dynamics, anthropogenic impact on the landscape and present environmental issues. The objective of the teaching is to provide the basic tools for understanding the history of geography and its connections to ecological discourses and practices.

Knowledge and understanding:
- understand the importance of the natural base in the evolution of human landscapes, including both aspects of geomorphology and the historical-artistic features that make each landscape unique;
- to acquire the concept of cultural property in its many facets, with particular regard to the critical issues caused by the lack of protection, in rural and suburban contexts;
- to know the role of cultural geography as a support toward an awareness of the new relationships between city and countryside, and toward building an alliance between different species (animal, plant...).

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
- know how to assess the role of ecosystem services within each landscape, using procedures for analysing environmental and aesthetic quality;
- recognize environmental risk situations and gain awareness in the interpretation of their lived space;
- interact with various narrative tools, digital and otherwise, to recognize landscape resources and promote their protection and enhancement.

Judgment skills:
- interpret the geo-historical evolution of the landscape and its dynamics;
- gain critical awareness of environmental impacts.

It is necessary to know the terminology and basics of geography; have sufficient knowledge of the salient features of the Italian landscape; have the ability to read and interpret the basic cartography contained in school atlases, and digital (such as Google Earth). Useful to be aware of current critical environmental issues on a national and global scale.

After a brief general introduction based on the analysis of some of the great classics of geography, during the course will be explored the relationships between ecological systems and human activities in environmental history from the 20th century to the present day.
To strengthen sensitivity and critical capacity to the current environmental crisis and natural resource management, we will make thematic insights during the lectures, starting from a theoretical framework and then connecting it to practices. The insights will focus on hydro-geographies and the urgencies related to the climate crisis; food landscapes and the dynamics between urban and rural spaces; animal geographies and narration as a tool for geographical research and restitution.
Italian case studies will be analysed

bibliography will follow

Group exercises will be conducted during course.

The final test is written.
The grade is averaged between two elements:

Frontal lectures with class discussion and group exercises. During the course, guest speakers will be invited to present texts and projects related to the topics faced in class.

The reception is held online, or in person on Thursdays (starting March 28, 2024), from 3 to 5 p.m. on the ground floor of Malcanton Marcorà building, in studio 0A06. Please email the lecturer to book the reception.

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