Regional Geography
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide knowledge of the main topics related to the discipline of Regional Geography, its investigative tools and their application in different territorial contexts. The course also aims to promote the development of analytical and critical skills in relation to the territorial processes under consideration.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student should be able to:
1. Describe the evolution of the concept of region, taking into account the diversity of its current interpretations (natural region, historical-cultural region, economic region, etc.).
2. Identify the main physical and anthropic characteristics of global macro-regions (Africa, America, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, Oceania) and some of the main sub-regions identified by the United Nations Statistical Commission.
3. Critically discuss some examples of migratory regions chosen from different parts of the world, emphasising their multi-scale dimensions (global, national, local).
1. Describe the evolution of the concept of region, taking into account the diversity of its current interpretations (natural region, historical-cultural region, economic region, etc.).
2. Identify the main physical and anthropic characteristics of global macro-regions (Africa, America, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, Oceania) and some of the main sub-regions identified by the United Nations Statistical Commission.
3. Critically discuss some examples of migratory regions chosen from different parts of the world, emphasising their multi-scale dimensions (global, national, local).
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is divided into three units, each of which covers and discusses different topics.
Teaching Unit A) "Regional Geography: theory and methods":
- The evolution of the approaches, methods and tools of regional geography;
- Presentation of the different types of regions: the physical-natural region, the historical-cultural region, the geopolitical, economic, sustainable and migratory region.
Teaching Unit B) "The regions of the world":
- The analysis of the physical and anthropogenic characteristics of the main global macro-regions, such as Africa, the Americas, Antarctica, Asia, Europe and Oceania, and some sub-regions within them.
Teaching Unit C) "Case studies and examples":
- The in-depth study of some case studies, with a focus on specific regions, analysed using direct and/or indirect observation methods.
Teaching units A and B will be set up in a hybrid mode (in presence and with the activation of a streaming link on MTeams) in order to allow the possible participation of students from other universities within the 4EU+ Alliance who participate in the 4EU+ Shared Courses.
Teaching Unit C, which is intended only for students enrolled in the degree program in "Human Science of Environment, Landscape and Territory", will be delivered in a dual mode. It will offer two alternative ways to choose from:
1. Participation in the educational project "Cultural Heritage in Journey", coordinated by Prof. Claudia Lambrugo.
2. Distance learning lessons, delivered asynchronously and made available in the e-learning environment myAriel.
Teaching Unit A) "Regional Geography: theory and methods":
- The evolution of the approaches, methods and tools of regional geography;
- Presentation of the different types of regions: the physical-natural region, the historical-cultural region, the geopolitical, economic, sustainable and migratory region.
Teaching Unit B) "The regions of the world":
- The analysis of the physical and anthropogenic characteristics of the main global macro-regions, such as Africa, the Americas, Antarctica, Asia, Europe and Oceania, and some sub-regions within them.
Teaching Unit C) "Case studies and examples":
- The in-depth study of some case studies, with a focus on specific regions, analysed using direct and/or indirect observation methods.
Teaching units A and B will be set up in a hybrid mode (in presence and with the activation of a streaming link on MTeams) in order to allow the possible participation of students from other universities within the 4EU+ Alliance who participate in the 4EU+ Shared Courses.
Teaching Unit C, which is intended only for students enrolled in the degree program in "Human Science of Environment, Landscape and Territory", will be delivered in a dual mode. It will offer two alternative ways to choose from:
1. Participation in the educational project "Cultural Heritage in Journey", coordinated by Prof. Claudia Lambrugo.
2. Distance learning lessons, delivered asynchronously and made available in the e-learning environment myAriel.
Prerequisites for admission
A basic understanding of the principal anthropo-physical characteristics of the major geographical regions of the world.
Teaching methods
In-person classes:
- Lectures, pair/group activities, discussions.
Online classes:
- Synchronous: Lectures via video conferencing, discussions, pair/group work.
- Asynchronous: Video lectures.
- Lectures, pair/group activities, discussions.
Online classes:
- Synchronous: Lectures via video conferencing, discussions, pair/group work.
- Asynchronous: Video lectures.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
Didactic Unit A) Course notes.
Didactic Unit B) Finlayson C. (2023). "World Regional Geography". Geography Books. 1 (selection of chapters). https://caitiefinlayson.com/worldregional/
Didactic Unit C) Select a text from the following:
- Demirbaş E., Miliou C. (...). "Looking at the EU-Turkey Deal: The Implications for Migrants in Greece and Turkey". In: Zapata-Barrero R., Awad I. (Eds.), Migrations in the Mediterranean (pp. 11-28). Cham: Springer.
- Guarrasi V. (2021). "Mediterranean Borders and Diaspora". In: Lois-González R. (Ed.), Geographies of Mediterranean Europe (pp. 267-285). Cham: Springer.
Non-attending students:
Didactic Unit A) Paasi A., Harrison J., Jones M. (2018). "New consolidated regional geographies". In : Paasi A. et al. (eds.), Handbook on The Geographies of Regions and Territories (pp. 1-21). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Didactic Unit B) Finlayson C. (2023). "World Regional Geography". Geography Books. 1 (selection of chapters). https://caitiefinlayson.com/worldregional/
Didactic Unit C) Select a text from the following:
- Demirbaş E., Miliou C. (...). "Looking at the EU-Turkey Deal: The Implications for Migrants in Greece and Turkey". In: Zapata-Barrero R., Awad I. (Eds.), Migrations in the Mediterranean (pp. 11-28). Cham: Springer.
- Guarrasi V. (2021). "Mediterranean Borders and Diaspora". In: Lois-González R. (Ed.), Geographies of Mediterranean Europe (pp. 267-285). Cham: Springer.
The final bibliography for both attending and non-attending students will be communicated by the teacher through MyAriel.
Didactic Unit A) Course notes.
Didactic Unit B) Finlayson C. (2023). "World Regional Geography". Geography Books. 1 (selection of chapters). https://caitiefinlayson.com/worldregional/
Didactic Unit C) Select a text from the following:
- Demirbaş E., Miliou C. (...). "Looking at the EU-Turkey Deal: The Implications for Migrants in Greece and Turkey". In: Zapata-Barrero R., Awad I. (Eds.), Migrations in the Mediterranean (pp. 11-28). Cham: Springer.
- Guarrasi V. (2021). "Mediterranean Borders and Diaspora". In: Lois-González R. (Ed.), Geographies of Mediterranean Europe (pp. 267-285). Cham: Springer.
Non-attending students:
Didactic Unit A) Paasi A., Harrison J., Jones M. (2018). "New consolidated regional geographies". In : Paasi A. et al. (eds.), Handbook on The Geographies of Regions and Territories (pp. 1-21). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Didactic Unit B) Finlayson C. (2023). "World Regional Geography". Geography Books. 1 (selection of chapters). https://caitiefinlayson.com/worldregional/
Didactic Unit C) Select a text from the following:
- Demirbaş E., Miliou C. (...). "Looking at the EU-Turkey Deal: The Implications for Migrants in Greece and Turkey". In: Zapata-Barrero R., Awad I. (Eds.), Migrations in the Mediterranean (pp. 11-28). Cham: Springer.
- Guarrasi V. (2021). "Mediterranean Borders and Diaspora". In: Lois-González R. (Ed.), Geographies of Mediterranean Europe (pp. 267-285). Cham: Springer.
The final bibliography for both attending and non-attending students will be communicated by the teacher through MyAriel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination for attending students will be conducted as follows:
- a written test, primarily based on multiple-choice questions, will be administered on the topics of Teaching Units A and B.
- An oral examination will be conducted on Teaching Unit C.
For students who are not attending, the examination will consist of an oral test.
Students from other universities within the 4EU+ Alliance who participate in the 4EU+ Shared Courses will be required to take the examination in order to obtain 6 ECTS credits. Consequently, they will be expected to adhere to the assessment guidelines for Teaching Units A and B.
The grade will be expressed in thirtieths.
- a written test, primarily based on multiple-choice questions, will be administered on the topics of Teaching Units A and B.
- An oral examination will be conducted on Teaching Unit C.
For students who are not attending, the examination will consist of an oral test.
Students from other universities within the 4EU+ Alliance who participate in the 4EU+ Shared Courses will be required to take the examination in order to obtain 6 ECTS credits. Consequently, they will be expected to adhere to the assessment guidelines for Teaching Units A and B.
The grade will be expressed in thirtieths.
Professor(s)