Urban Planning and Archaeology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide technical skills and critical tools to understand the socio-cultural phenomena of urban planning and urbanization in the past. The course takes a global and comparative approach, through the discussion of settlements and cities from different continents over the long term, from protohistory to the modern age. The case studies that will be compared include, among others, Nebelivka, Cahokia, Teotihuacan, Çatalhöyük, Angkor, Great Zimbabwe, Olinto, Ribe, and Singapore.
Alternative and complementary models to the classic approach to ancient urban planning will be explored, including concepts such as 'scalar stress', 'energized crowding', and 'low density urbanism'. The various interpretative problems connected to the nucleated population will be addressed, such as social inequalities and power systems, economic and environmental sustainability, health and climate crises, civilization, the state, imperialism and colonization.
The third part of the course highlights the development and material outcomes of early urbanization in the regions north and south of the Alps during the 1st millennium AEC.
Alternative and complementary models to the classic approach to ancient urban planning will be explored, including concepts such as 'scalar stress', 'energized crowding', and 'low density urbanism'. The various interpretative problems connected to the nucleated population will be addressed, such as social inequalities and power systems, economic and environmental sustainability, health and climate crises, civilization, the state, imperialism and colonization.
The third part of the course highlights the development and material outcomes of early urbanization in the regions north and south of the Alps during the 1st millennium AEC.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge - The course aims to offer students a wide range of critical tools to understand and analyze human settlements through their material remains and design, but also to understand in a comparative anthropological perspective the role of complex agglomerations in shaping societies and cultures.
Skills - At the end of the course, also thanks to updates teaching methods, students will be able to critically apply interdisciplinary theories and methodologies. Students will improve independence in bibliographic research and in thematic insights. Finally, they will be able to develop projects on individual case studies by contextualizing them in the broader anthropological and social debate.
Skills - At the end of the course, also thanks to updates teaching methods, students will be able to critically apply interdisciplinary theories and methodologies. Students will improve independence in bibliographic research and in thematic insights. Finally, they will be able to develop projects on individual case studies by contextualizing them in the broader anthropological and social debate.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
The course will introduce and explore comparative urbanism through the archaeological remains of settlements and cities. Part A of the course will provide theoretical tools and models of ancient urbanisation, also through case studies. Part B will be devoted to early urban experiences in European regions north and south of the Alps.
This is a 6 ECTS exam. Students will have to take the two parts (A+B) for 6 ECTS. It is not possible to obtain only 3 ECTS by attending only one part of the course.
An additional bibliography is provided for those wishing to take the 9 ECTS exam.
This is a 6 ECTS exam. Students will have to take the two parts (A+B) for 6 ECTS. It is not possible to obtain only 3 ECTS by attending only one part of the course.
An additional bibliography is provided for those wishing to take the 9 ECTS exam.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is taught in Italian, but a knowledge of English (B1 or higher) is required for reading and understanding the texts to be taken in the exam.
Teaching methods
The teaching method includes frontal lectures, with the projection of presentations and multimedia, along with a group discussion. Flipped classroom teaching will also be used, when students being given particular subjects in brief presentations.
The course will make use of e-learning material available on the Ariel platform (lesson outlines and illustrative material, background material and reference bibliography).
Additionally, seminars, lectures, and conferences related to the course topics will be held by both Italian and foreign experts and scholars as an essential component of the course.
Attendance at the course, although optional, remains strongly recommended.
The course will make use of e-learning material available on the Ariel platform (lesson outlines and illustrative material, background material and reference bibliography).
Additionally, seminars, lectures, and conferences related to the course topics will be held by both Italian and foreign experts and scholars as an essential component of the course.
Attendance at the course, although optional, remains strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Attending students (6 ECTS):
Part A
1) Michael E. Smith, Urban Life in the Distant Past: The Prehistory of Energized Crowding. Cambridge University Press, 2023.
2) Norman Yoffee, Nicola Terrenato, Introduction: a history of the study of early cities. In Norman Yoffee (ed.), Early Cities in Comparative Perspective, 4000 BCE - 1200 CE (The Cambridge World History, III), Cambridge 2015, pp. 1-24.
3) Justin Jennings, Killing Civilization. A Reassessment of Early Urbanism and its Consequences. University of New Mexico Press, 2016: chapters 1-3, 10.
Part B
5) Lorenzo Zamboni, The Urbanization of Northern Italy. Contextualizing Early Settlement Nucleation in the Po Valley. In Journal of Archaeological Research, 29, 2021: 387-430.
6) Lorenzo Zamboni, Manuel Fernández-Götz, Carola Metzner Nebelsick (eds) 2020, Crossing the Alps. Early Urbanism between Northern Italy and Central Europe, 900-400 BC. Leiden, Sidestone Press (online https://www.sidestone.com/books/crossing-the-alps): chapters 1, 2, 3, one of your choice from the chapters 5-17, one of your choice from the chapters 18-24.
Non-attending students (6 ECTS):
Non-attending students who plan to take the 6-ECTS exam should study the following materials:
1) Michael E. Smith, Urban Life in the Distant Past: The Prehistory of Energized Crowding. Cambridge University Press, 2023.
2) Justin Jennings, Killing Civilization. A Reassessment of Early Urbanism and its Consequences. University of New Mexico Press, 2016.
3) Lorenzo Zamboni, The Urbanization of Northern Italy. Contextualizing Early Settlement Nucleation in the Po Valley. In Journal of Archaeological Research, 29, 2021: 387-430.
4) Lorenzo Zamboni, Manuel Fernández-Götz, Carola Metzner Nebelsick (eds) 2020, Crossing the Alps. Early Urbanism between Northern Italy and Central Europe, 900-400 BC. Leiden, Sidestone Press.
The additional bibliography for those wishing to take the 9-ECTS exam is:
Norman Yoffee (ed.), Early Cities in Comparative Perspective, 4000 BCE - 1200 CE (The Cambridge World History, III), Cambridge 2015.
Part A
1) Michael E. Smith, Urban Life in the Distant Past: The Prehistory of Energized Crowding. Cambridge University Press, 2023.
2) Norman Yoffee, Nicola Terrenato, Introduction: a history of the study of early cities. In Norman Yoffee (ed.), Early Cities in Comparative Perspective, 4000 BCE - 1200 CE (The Cambridge World History, III), Cambridge 2015, pp. 1-24.
3) Justin Jennings, Killing Civilization. A Reassessment of Early Urbanism and its Consequences. University of New Mexico Press, 2016: chapters 1-3, 10.
Part B
5) Lorenzo Zamboni, The Urbanization of Northern Italy. Contextualizing Early Settlement Nucleation in the Po Valley. In Journal of Archaeological Research, 29, 2021: 387-430.
6) Lorenzo Zamboni, Manuel Fernández-Götz, Carola Metzner Nebelsick (eds) 2020, Crossing the Alps. Early Urbanism between Northern Italy and Central Europe, 900-400 BC. Leiden, Sidestone Press (online https://www.sidestone.com/books/crossing-the-alps): chapters 1, 2, 3, one of your choice from the chapters 5-17, one of your choice from the chapters 18-24.
Non-attending students (6 ECTS):
Non-attending students who plan to take the 6-ECTS exam should study the following materials:
1) Michael E. Smith, Urban Life in the Distant Past: The Prehistory of Energized Crowding. Cambridge University Press, 2023.
2) Justin Jennings, Killing Civilization. A Reassessment of Early Urbanism and its Consequences. University of New Mexico Press, 2016.
3) Lorenzo Zamboni, The Urbanization of Northern Italy. Contextualizing Early Settlement Nucleation in the Po Valley. In Journal of Archaeological Research, 29, 2021: 387-430.
4) Lorenzo Zamboni, Manuel Fernández-Götz, Carola Metzner Nebelsick (eds) 2020, Crossing the Alps. Early Urbanism between Northern Italy and Central Europe, 900-400 BC. Leiden, Sidestone Press.
The additional bibliography for those wishing to take the 9-ECTS exam is:
Norman Yoffee (ed.), Early Cities in Comparative Perspective, 4000 BCE - 1200 CE (The Cambridge World History, III), Cambridge 2015.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination is oral and consists of an interview with the members of the examination committee. The discussion will cover the subjects taught in class and the readings listed in the syllabus. The interview aims to check the knowledge gained, including the recognition and analysis of images and settlement plans. The student should understand the theories and methods used to analyze and explain ancient settlements, and be capable of situating case studies within wider cultural, economic, and social contexts.
The final evaluation is from a minimum 18 to a maximum of 30/30 cum laude).
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the course lecturer in due time. Examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in accordance with the DSA Office.
The final evaluation is from a minimum 18 to a maximum of 30/30 cum laude).
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the course lecturer in due time. Examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in accordance with the DSA Office.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Thursday, 3.30-5.30 PM
Sezione di Archeologia - via Festa del Perdono 7, Cortile della Legnaia