The aim of the course is to build foundational geographical knowledge and skills related to the territorialist approach in order to: Identify the identity and distinctive characteristics of the territorial context specific to each student involved; Analyse its evolutionary processes in relation to social, economic, and cultural pressures; Define opportunities for enhancement, protection, and innovation to foster forms of endogenous and sustainable development. By the end of the course, students are expected to understand the territorialist approach and apply some of its principles by interpreting and analysing the context in which they operate, study, and live their daily experiences, recognizing similarities and differences with the in-depth analyses provided in the reference text. In addition to foundational concepts and skills, students will engage with tools and methods for representing territory and landscape (such as cartography, iconographic heritage, and texts) to develop the ability to articulate and communicate various experiences of territorial reading, interpretation, and diagnosis.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge about geography
Teaching Methods
Lectures will be based on original presentations designed to guide study and provide commentary on the reference texts. To support each lesson, various optional supplementary readings will be suggested.
Assessment Methods
An oral exam will be conducted based on the content covered in the lectures, the reading of the reference texts, and the exercise completed by the students.
Texts
Alberto Magnaghi (2020) Il principio territoriale. Torino, Bollati Boringhieri. Arturo Lanzani (2011) In cammino nel paesaggio. Roma, Carocci.
Contents
During the classroom sessions, the students will experiment two parallel and interacting activities, supporting the development of the territorial reading and interpretation exercise. The first activity, focused on CONCEPTS, provides students with the foundational knowledge and ideas needed to develop a territorialist approach. In this light, the initial lessons are geared towards conveying the fundamental concepts required to navigate the disciplinary debate, unfolding current dynamics. The second activity - SKILLS - enables students to acquire the ability to critically interpret territories and the impacts of the transformations they undergo, with particular attention to natural elements, open spaces, and landscapes. Complementing these two activities is an applied EXERCISE developed by the students during the course. This exercise enhances the skill acquisition process and provides opportunities for collective reflection and classroom debate, building on the individual analyses proposed by each student.
