Cultural Geography
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The first part of the course aims at introducing the students to a critical reflection on the theoretical and practice content of cultural geography, from its origins to its various branches. It will also present the New Cultural Geography that, since the 1980s of the 20th century, has paved the way to the classic themes of cultural geography (spaces, places and landscapes, in the light of the following approaches: marxist, psychoanalitical, postmodern, of gender studies and of cultural studies). The second part of the course will analyze in particular the humanistic and literary aspects of cultural geography in order to introduce students to a successful intertwining between Geography and Literature.
Expected learning outcomes
At the of the course students should have acquired the ability to understand the symbolic and metaphorical meanings of the cultural processes characterizing places and made explicit in specific symbolic forms and landscape patterns. This year's syllabus, in particular, will require students to show knowledge and understanding of the geographical meanings and dimensions of the mobilities in the third Millenium.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The first part of the course aims at introducing the students to a critical reflection on contents, practices and instruments of cultural geography, from its origins to the present day. It will present the New Cultural Geography that, since the 1980s of the 20th century, has paved the way to the traditional themes of cultural geography (spaces, territories, places and landscapes) in the light of the approaches neo-marxist, psychoanalytical, postmodern, of gender studies and spiritualists. These skills complement the education of high-profile experts in the field of intercultural communication and international cooperation.
The second part of the course will analyze in particular the political, social, cultural and territorial mechanisms of the mobilities in the Third Millennium. Various phenomena such as migrations, tourism, pilgrimages, nomadisms, etc. will be presented in the wider context of globalization. These phenomena will be analyzed in their multiple geographical dimensions.
Students who plan a 3 CFUs exam must study only the first part of the program.
The second part of the course will analyze in particular the political, social, cultural and territorial mechanisms of the mobilities in the Third Millennium. Various phenomena such as migrations, tourism, pilgrimages, nomadisms, etc. will be presented in the wider context of globalization. These phenomena will be analyzed in their multiple geographical dimensions.
Students who plan a 3 CFUs exam must study only the first part of the program.
Prerequisites for admission
Students should know the main concepts of human geography (environment, population, built territory, landscape) and of regional and urban geography.
Teaching methods
Lectures useful to privilege the logical-conceptual language; participatory lessons supported by cartographic and paracartographic representations to strengthen the learning of the visual and iconographic language; interactive lessons conducted by the teacher and by experts on specific topics.
Teaching Resources
For students who can attend the course, the reference materials will consist of class notes, documents and articles provided by the teacher and available on Ariel teaching platform or distributed in the classroom. These materials will be integrated reading one text from this list:
- De Vecchis G., Geografie delle Mobilità, Carocci, Rome, 2014.
- Gavinelli D., Zanolin G., Geografia del turismo contemporaneo. Pratiche, narrazioni, luoghi, Carocci, Rome, 2019.
- Wihtol De Wenden C., Le nuove migrazioni. Luoghi, uomini, politiche, Pàtron, Bologna, 2016.
For students who can NOT attend the course, the reference materials will consist of three texts from this list:
1) Banini T., Geografie culturali, Franco Angeli, Milan, 2019;
2) One text choosen between:
- De Vecchis G., Geografie delle Mobilità, Carocci, Rome, 2014
- Gavinelli D., Zanolin G., Geography of contemporary tourism. Practices, stories, places, Carocci, Rome, 2019
- Wihtol De Wenden C., The New Migrations. Places, men, politics, Pàtron, Bologna, 2016;
3) One text choosen between:
- Marengo M., Geografie dell'intercultura, Pacini, Pisa, 2007
- Squarcina E., L'ultimo spazio di libertà. Un approccio umanistico e culturale alla geografia del mare, Guerini, Milan, 2015.
- Paradiso M., Abitare la terra al tempo di internet. Luoghi, comunicazione, vita umana, Mimesis, Milan-Udine, 2017.
- De Vecchis G., Geografie delle Mobilità, Carocci, Rome, 2014.
- Gavinelli D., Zanolin G., Geografia del turismo contemporaneo. Pratiche, narrazioni, luoghi, Carocci, Rome, 2019.
- Wihtol De Wenden C., Le nuove migrazioni. Luoghi, uomini, politiche, Pàtron, Bologna, 2016.
For students who can NOT attend the course, the reference materials will consist of three texts from this list:
1) Banini T., Geografie culturali, Franco Angeli, Milan, 2019;
2) One text choosen between:
- De Vecchis G., Geografie delle Mobilità, Carocci, Rome, 2014
- Gavinelli D., Zanolin G., Geography of contemporary tourism. Practices, stories, places, Carocci, Rome, 2019
- Wihtol De Wenden C., The New Migrations. Places, men, politics, Pàtron, Bologna, 2016;
3) One text choosen between:
- Marengo M., Geografie dell'intercultura, Pacini, Pisa, 2007
- Squarcina E., L'ultimo spazio di libertà. Un approccio umanistico e culturale alla geografia del mare, Guerini, Milan, 2015.
- Paradiso M., Abitare la terra al tempo di internet. Luoghi, comunicazione, vita umana, Mimesis, Milan-Udine, 2017.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam consists of an oral discussion on the topics described in the program, aimed at checking the knowledge of key themes in Cultural Geography (concerning the different tendencies in geographical thought in the 20th century and in the contemporaneity). More specifically, students must demonstrate that they have mastered skills and abilities for the interpretation of disciplinary, cartographic and paracartographic languages useful for the critical analysis on material and immaterial dimensions of culture, in its relationship with space. Students must be able to demonstrate specific skills aimed at understanding the meaning of places and landscapes, in relation to their perceptive, semiotic, spiritual and existential connotations. In addition, students will be required to demonstrate that they have achieved appropriate knowledge and skills for the interpretation of the different forms of mobility in the contemporary world.
Teaching Unit 1
M-GGR/01 - GEOGRAPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Teaching Unit 2
M-GGR/01 - GEOGRAPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Office hours are held every Tuesday, on a weekly basis, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. It is not necessary to book.
Office hours will be held in presence in the office 1044 in Sesto San Giovanni or, for specific reasons, via skype. The skype address during reception hours is: dinogavinelli.