00455 - Geography

Learning outcomes

The course aims at outlining the territorial frame in which the idea of “Europe” has taken shape and has grown out of (European morphology, its demography, its resources and trades), putting it in relation with its representations dating back to antiquity. From its seafaring origin – Mediterranean, at first, and subsequently “oceanic”, as the modern Europe's image took shape – up to both the new image suggested by EU and the tough challenges of globalization.
In particular, the analysis of the formation of European spaces, since their Mediterranean genesis to the nation-states' creation, will be developed, to emphasize the creation of a “European consciousness” in the encounter with an “Orient” often more fictional than real. At the end of the course, the student is able to distinguish the diverse geographical models from which European identity took shape in history, applying such knowledge to EU's evolutionary frame. 

Course contents

• The formation of geographical concepts
  
• The geo-aesthetical origin of geographical models: from the Mediterranean to the Occident
  
• Landscape and formation of the “past that is not lived”
  
• Representations and models
  
• Space, power, community
  
• Cities, networks, territories
  
• Techno-geographical milieu
  
• Geo-aesthetics of discovery
  
• Places, identity, sensoria, and individuation
  
• Orients/Occidents

Readings/Bibliography

Downloadable lecture notes available through the link of teaching material; C. Minca, L. Bialasiewicz, Spazio e politica, Padova: Cedam, 2004; E. Dell'Agnese, E. Squarcina (eds.), Europa. Vecchi confini, nuove frontiere, Turin: Utet, 2005.

The required texts for students attending the class of History of cartography are:
M. Neve, Itinerari nella geografia contemporanea, Rome: Carocci, 2004; G. Mangani, Cartografia morale, Modena: Panini, 2006.

 The required texts for students attending the class of Thematic cartography are:
M. Neve, Itinerari nella geografia contemporanea, Rome: Carocci, 2004; M. Monmonier, Mapping It Out: Expository Cartography for the Humanities and Social Sciences (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing), Chicago: University Of Chicago Press, 1993.

Teaching methods

The theoretical and methodological tools of the approach chosen will be constantly tested and discussed in the course of the lectures through the use of images, maps, and diagrams.
Class attendance is critical to take advantage of a way of learning not feasible through homework, and it turns out to be crucial in order for the student to adequately satisfy exam requirements.

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of an oral examination on two or three class topics, paying specific attention to student’s skill in applying the theoretical and methodological tools supplied during lectures.

Teaching tools

Video projector, overhead projector.

Class materials will be available as ppt or pdf files at: http://almadl.cib.unibo.it/.

Links to further information

http://homepage.mac.com/nevem/index.html

Office hours

See the website of Mario Angelo Neve