511348 - INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

courses

ID:

511348

Duration (hours):

36

CFU:

SSD:

GEOGRAFIA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Secondo Semestre (23/02/2026 - 22/05/2026)

Course Objectives

Training objectives and learning outcomes The course focuses mainly on how acquiring the ability to navigate the Planet using latitude and longitude, knowing how to locate the internationally recognized States (2026) within the hemispheres and the continents. Such ability is the starting point for critically placing the main topics of Human Geography (population, urbanization, migration and international relationships; human footprint on the territory; climate changes; 2030 agenda goals for sustainable development). Other objectives: - Basic knowledge of the meaning and purposes of Human Geography. - Knowledge of the main characteristics of cartographic representations (scale, content, projection). - Reading the region through cartography. - Understanding the link between human societies and territory. - Ability to grasp the real meaning of certain expressions that have become clichés (for example environmental sustainability, globalization, migration, borders and boundaries). - Ability to analyze the main environmental issues. The materials published on KIRO constitute EXAM SUBJECT DUE TO THE WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN DIFFICULTY, ANY COMPENSATORY INSTRUMENTS MUST BE REQUESTED BY ADDRESSING THE TEACHER, WHO WILL PROVIDE TO INTEGRATE THE PROGRAM IN A SUITABLE WAY; THEREFORE, THESE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE TEACHER IN TIME. The teacher DOES NOT authorize any type of acquisition, reproduction or sharing of audiovisual material taken from the Geography lessons and from the conversations that took place in the teacher’s office during office hours (or during appointments requested by the students).

Course Prerequisites

Prerequisits Basic knowledge of Regional Geography. Elementary knowledge of internationally recognized States (up to 2026) and territories. Knowledge of the basic tools of Human Geography is necessary (this themes will be recalled at the beginning of the course). Especially, a good use of cartographic tools and the use of Geographic Atlas are required, as fundamental completion of the study of the basic manuals. In the bibliography, detailed texts are given for those who have gaps to fill. The materials published on KIRO constitute EXAM SUBJECT DUE TO THE WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN DIFFICULTY, ANY COMPENSATORY INSTRUMENTS MUST BE REQUESTED BY ADDRESSING THE TEACHER, WHO WILL PROVIDE TO INTEGRATE THE PROGRAM IN A SUITABLE WAY; THEREFORE, THESE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE TEACHER IN TIME. The teacher DOES NOT authorize any type of acquisition, reproduction or sharing of audiovisual material taken from the Geography lessons and from the conversations that took place in the teacher’s office during office hours (or during appointments requested by the students).

Teaching Methods

Didactic methods Presentations and analysis of photos, videos and cartography; study of materials free available online. The materials published on KIRO constitute EXAM SUBJECT DUE TO THE WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN DIFFICULTY, ANY COMPENSATORY INSTRUMENTS MUST BE REQUESTED BY ADDRESSING THE TEACHER, WHO WILL PROVIDE TO INTEGRATE THE PROGRAM IN A SUITABLE WAY; THEREFORE, THESE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE TEACHER IN TIME. The teacher DOES NOT authorize any type of acquisition, reproduction or sharing of audiovisual material taken from the Geography lessons and from the conversations that took place in the teacher’s office during office hours (or during appointments requested by the students).

Assessment Methods

Methods for verifying learning The exam will be oral; students will have to demonstrate knowledge of the topics presented during the lessons and treated on the texts. The materials published on KIRO constitute EXAM SUBJECT DUE TO THE WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN DIFFICULTY, ANY COMPENSATORY INSTRUMENTS MUST BE REQUESTED BY ADDRESSING THE TEACHER, WHO WILL PROVIDE TO INTEGRATE THE PROGRAM IN A SUITABLE WAY; THEREFORE, THESE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE TEACHER IN TIME. The teacher DOES NOT authorize any type of acquisition, reproduction or sharing of audiovisual material taken from the Geography lessons and from the conversations that took place in the teacher’s office during office hours (or during appointments requested by the students).

Texts

Reference texts The following bibliography is valid for both ATTENDING and NON-ATTENDING students. --- U. SAURO, M. MENEGHEL, A. BONDESAN, B. CASTIGLIONI, “Dalla carta topografica al paesaggio. Atlante ragionato”, NUOVA EDIZIONE a cura di Maria Laura Pappalardo, LACasa della cartografia, Verona, 2024. In addition to these two texts, it is advisable to consult: IGM (a cura di) “Italia - Atlante dei Tipi Geografici”, Istituto Geografico Militare Italiano, Firenze, 2004. Il testo è liberamente consultabile al sito: igmi.org/italia-atlante-dei-tipi-geografici/consulta-latlante --- P. PERSI, M. UGOLINI, “Cartografia in bilico tra fervido passato e nuovi orizzonti”, Bologna, Pàtron, 2022. --- Pierluigi TOZZI, “PAVIA. Origini e tradizioni”, Edizioni Guardamagna, Pavia, 2003. Il volume è disponibile presso la Biblioteca di Studi Umanistici opac.unipv.it/opac/resource/pavia-origini-e-tradizioni/PAV01979077 - Inventario LST 46630 - Collocazione PAVIA.3 00036 - PIANO TERRA 0.5 – 2. --- Paolo CARPENTIERI, Carlo IANNELLO, Giancarlo MONTEDORO, “La concezione crociana del paesaggio nel diritto contemporaneo”, Editoriale Scientifica, Napoli, 2023. --- Alessandra FERRIGHI (a cura di), “La pianificazione e la tutela del paesaggio. Processi, criticità e fattori abilitanti”, Scuola nazionale del patrimonio e delle attività culturali, Roma, 2025. Il volume può essere scaricato GRATUITAMENTE al sito: fondazionescuolapatrimonio.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/La-pianificazione-e-la-tutela-del-paesaggio.pdf Il PDF del fascicolo è disponibile su KIRO --- Claudio FERRATA, “Elementi di geografia politica”, LiLu2, Lugano, marzo 2013. Il PDF del fascicolo è disponibile su KIRO https://it.readkong.com/page/elementi-di-geografia-politica-1-il-territorio-e-il-potere-1021470 https://it.scribd.com/document/680898056/08-FERRATA-Elementi-geografia-politica http://www.lilu2.ch/lilu2dir/materie/scienze%20umane/Site01/geografia/geografia%20politica/elementigeografiapolitica.pdf --- Claudio FERRATA, “Scrivere la Terra. La geografia, sapere sullo spazio e azione sul Mondo”, GEA-associazione dei geografi (Bellinzona CH), 2024. Il volume può essere scaricato GRATUITAMENTE al sito: gea-ticino.ch/wp-content/uploads/Claudio-Ferrata-Scrivere-la-terra.pdf Il PDF del fascicolo è disponibile su KIRO --- Albanese G, Alfieri P.M., Lambruschi P., “L’Africa non fa notizia. Cronache e storie di un continente”, Vita e Pensiero, Milano, 2021. --- S. PINNA, “Il cambiamento climatico. La religione del XXI secolo”, Roma, Tab edizioni, 2019. --- A. SPURI, “Cambiamenti climatici. Tra facili allarmismi e pericolose sottovalutazioni”, Torino, Claudiana, 2018. --- Un buon Atlante geografico (A SCELTA: QUALUNQUE EDIZIONE - anche molto datata- è accettabile). --- Il “Calendario Atlante De Agostini” (ed. 2026), di fondamentale importanza per l’aggiornamento dei dati geopolitici che risultino obsoleti nell’Atlante geografico utilizzato per studiare, o per colmare eventuali lacune nelle conoscenze regionali). The statistical data, in some cases, are obsolete; it is sometimes necessary to update them by consulting the sites: indexmundi.com/ cia.gov/the-world-factbook/ worldometers.info/it populationpyramid.net During the lessons, other sites from which to draw updated data will be presented. The materials published on KIRO constitute EXAM SUBJECT DUE TO THE WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN DIFFICULTY, ANY COMPENSATORY INSTRUMENTS MUST BE REQUESTED BY ADDRESSING THE TEACHER, WHO WILL PROVIDE TO INTEGRATE THE PROGRAM IN A SUITABLE WAY; THEREFORE, THESE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE TEACHER IN TIME. The teacher DOES NOT authorize any type of acquisition, reproduction or sharing of audiovisual material taken from the Geography lessons and from the conversations that took place in the teacher’s office during office hours (or during appointments requested by the students). For those who have gaps in Cartography, one of the following manuals may be used as a reference: --- A. LODOVISI, S. TORRESANI, “Cartografia e informazione geografica. Storia e tecniche”, Bologna, Pàtron, 2005. --- R. MAZZANTI, “Guida all’interpretazione della carta topografica”, Pisa, Felici Editore, 1998. --- A. MORI, “Le carte geografiche. Costruzione interpretazione e applicazioni pratiche”, Pisa, Libreria Goliardica, 1990. --- A. SESTINI, “Cartografia generale”, Bologna, Pàtron, 1981. --- C. TRAVERSI, “Tecnica cartografica”, Firenze, Istituto Geografico Militare, 1968. For those who have gaps in Human and Regional Geography, one of the following manuals may be used as reference (depending on the type of gap): --- A.R. CANDURA, “Geografia. Un’introduzione critica”, Milano, Mondadori Università, 2018. -- E. H. FOUBERG, A. B. MURPHY, “Geografia umana. Cultura, società, spazio”, QUARTA edizione italiana condotta sulla dodicesima edizione americana, (a cura di Anna Rosa Candura, Mafalda Toniazzi e Luca Fois), Bologna, Zanichelli, 2022. --- M.D. BJELLAND, D. R. MONTELLO, A. GETIS, “Geografia Umana”, (IV EDIZIONE ITALIANA) a cura di E. Squarcina e V. Pecorelli), Milano, McGraw Hill Education, 2020. --- A. VALLEGA, “Introduzione alla geografia umana”, Milano, Mursia, 1999. --- B. NICOLINI, I. TADDIA, “Il Corno d’Africa. Tra medicina, politica e storia”, Aprilia, NovaLogos, 2011. --- A. CASELLA PALTRINIERI, “Incontri transatlantici. Il Brasile negli studi dell’antropologia italiana”, Aprilia, NovaLogos, 2012. --- A. VIOLANTE, “Giovanni Caboto. El gran armirante verso il sogno del Catai”, Milano, Le Monnier, 2022. ---G. CUNDARI, “Il mondo: una bella prigione?”, Napoli, Editoriale Scientifica, 2018. -- M. JONES, R. JONES, M. WHITEHEAD, M. WOODS, D. DIXON, M. HANNAH, “Introduzione alla Geografia politica”, (COURSEPACK - Università degli Studi di Pavia), Milano-Torino, UTET Università, 2022. --- B. FAGAN, “La rivoluzione del clima. Come le variazioni climatiche hanno influenzato la storia”, Milano, Sperling & Kupfer Editori, 2001. The materials published on KIRO constitute EXAM SUBJECT DUE TO THE WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN DIFFICULTY, ANY COMPENSATORY INSTRUMENTS MUST BE REQUESTED BY ADDRESSING THE TEACHER, WHO WILL PROVIDE TO INTEGRATE THE PROGRAM IN A SUITABLE WAY; THEREFORE, THESE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE TEACHER IN TIME. The teacher DOES NOT authorize any type of acquisition, reproduction or sharing of audiovisual material taken from the Geography lessons and from the conversations that took place in the teacher’s office during office hours (or during appointments requested by the students).

Program and contents The course aims to capture habit to study the Planet through the use of cartography and photography. The course will be divided into two parts. Part One: Cartography as a tool to study the Planet. Part Two: Topics and study cases of Human Geography. The materials published on KIRO constitute EXAM SUBJECT DUE TO THE WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN DIFFICULTY, ANY COMPENSATORY INSTRUMENTS MUST BE REQUESTED BY ADDRESSING THE TEACHER, WHO WILL PROVIDE TO INTEGRATE THE PROGRAM IN A SUITABLE WAY; THEREFORE, THESE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE TEACHER IN TIME. The teacher DOES NOT authorize any type of acquisition, reproduction or sharing of audiovisual material taken from the Geography lessons and from the conversations that took place in the teacher’s office during office hours (or during appointments requested by the students).

Course Language

Italian

More information

Other informations The materials published on KIRO constitute EXAM SUBJECT DUE TO THE WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN DIFFICULTY, ANY COMPENSATORY INSTRUMENTS MUST BE REQUESTED BY ADDRESSING THE TEACHER, WHO WILL PROVIDE TO INTEGRATE THE PROGRAM IN A SUITABLE WAY; THEREFORE, THESE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE TEACHER IN TIME. The teacher DOES NOT authorize any type of acquisition, reproduction or sharing of audiovisual material taken from the Geography lessons and from the conversations that took place in the teacher’s office during office hours (or during appointments requested by the students).