Regional Geography
A.Y. 2025/2026
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 organized into three instructional units, each dedicated to the exploration and discussion of distinct thematic areas.
Unit A - Theory and Methods of Regional Geography
- Evolution of approaches, methods, and tools in regional geography.
- Overview of the main types of regions: physical-environmental, historical-cultural, political, and economic.
Unit B - World Regions
- Examination of major global macro-regions and sub-regions through an integrated study of their geophysical and socio-cultural characteristics.
Unit C - Applied Approaches and Regional Case Studies
- In-depth analysis of specific regional configurations through selected case studies, implemented using direct and/or indirect observation methods.
Mode of Delivery
Units A and B will be delivered in hybrid mode (in-person lectures simultaneously streamed via Microsoft Teams) to allow participation from students enrolled at other universities of the 4EU+ Alliance attending Shared Courses 4EU+.
Unit C, reserved exclusively for students enrolled in the undergraduate programme "Scienze Umane dell'Ambiente, del Territorio e del Paesaggio," will be offered in a dual mode, with two alternative tracks:
1. Track focused on the historical-cultural region
Participation in the educational project "I Beni Culturali in Viaggio" (https://bac.unimi.it/it/didattica/progetti-e-laboratori/viaggi-di-studio). The project is coordinated by the Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage and involves a study trip to a Mediterranean sub-region selected for its historical, archaeological, artistic, and geographical relevance. Participation will be limited to 8-10 students enrolled in the Regional Geography course, who will be selected based on criteria communicated in due time through official channels.
2. Track focused on the migratory region
Hybrid track combining in-person lectures, asynchronous video-lectures made available on the myAriel platform, synchronous tutoring sessions, and a final discussion seminar.
Unit A - Theory and Methods of Regional Geography
- Evolution of approaches, methods, and tools in regional geography.
- Overview of the main types of regions: physical-environmental, historical-cultural, political, and economic.
Unit B - World Regions
- Examination of major global macro-regions and sub-regions through an integrated study of their geophysical and socio-cultural characteristics.
Unit C - Applied Approaches and Regional Case Studies
- In-depth analysis of specific regional configurations through selected case studies, implemented using direct and/or indirect observation methods.
Mode of Delivery
Units A and B will be delivered in hybrid mode (in-person lectures simultaneously streamed via Microsoft Teams) to allow participation from students enrolled at other universities of the 4EU+ Alliance attending Shared Courses 4EU+.
Unit C, reserved exclusively for students enrolled in the undergraduate programme "Scienze Umane dell'Ambiente, del Territorio e del Paesaggio," will be offered in a dual mode, with two alternative tracks:
1. Track focused on the historical-cultural region
Participation in the educational project "I Beni Culturali in Viaggio" (https://bac.unimi.it/it/didattica/progetti-e-laboratori/viaggi-di-studio). The project is coordinated by the Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage and involves a study trip to a Mediterranean sub-region selected for its historical, archaeological, artistic, and geographical relevance. Participation will be limited to 8-10 students enrolled in the Regional Geography course, who will be selected based on criteria communicated in due time through official channels.
2. Track focused on the migratory region
Hybrid track combining in-person lectures, asynchronous video-lectures made available on the myAriel platform, synchronous tutoring sessions, and a final discussion seminar.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of the main anthropic and physical features of the world's major regions.
Teaching methods
In-person classes:
- lectures, pair/group work, discussions;
- study trip.
Online classes:
- synchronous: live video lectures, discussions, pair/group work.
- asynchronous: pre-recorded video lessons.
- lectures, pair/group work, discussions;
- study trip.
Online classes:
- synchronous: live video lectures, discussions, pair/group work.
- asynchronous: pre-recorded video lessons.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
Unit A
1) Course notes.
2) Agnew J. (2018), "Evolution of the Regional Concept", in Paasi A. et al. (a cura di), Handbook on the Geographies of Regions and Territories, Edward Elgar, pp. 23-33.
3) Paasi A. (2002), "Bounded Spaces in the Mobile World: Deconstructing 'Regional Identity'", Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, 93(2), pp. 137-148.
Unit B
1) Course notes.
2) Finlayson C. (2023), World Regional Geography - open textbook ‹https://caitiefinlayson.com/worldregional/›
Required chapters: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9.
3) Martí-Henneberg J. (a cura di) (2021), European Regions, 1870-2020. A Geographic and Historical Insight into the Process of European Integration, Springer, Cham.
Required chapters:
- Introduzione (pp. v-xxx);
- Ch. 14 (Italy);
- Ch. 16 (Spain);
- Ch. 22 (Greece).
Unit C
1) Course notes.
2) Zapata-Barrero R., Awad I. (a cura di) (2024), Migrations in the Mediterranean. IMISCOE Regional Reader, Springer, Cham.
Required chapters:
- Ch. 1 - Theoretical & regional overview
- Ch. 2 or Ch. 4 - Migratory route (student's choice)
- Ch. 5 or Ch. 17 - Governance / SAR policies (student's choice)
- Ch. 18 - Cultural dimension / diaspora
Non-Attending Students:
Unit A
1) Agnew J. (2018), "Evolution of the Regional Concept", in Paasi A. et al. (a cura di), Handbook on the Geographies of Regions and Territories, Edward Elgar, pp. 23-33.
2) Paasi A. (2002), "Bounded Spaces in the Mobile World: Deconstructing 'Regional Identity'", in Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, 93(2), pp. 137-148.
3) Pike, A., Rodríguez-Pose, A., & Tomaney, J. (2017), "Shifting Horizons in Local and Regional Development", in Regional Studies, 51(1), pp. 46-57.
Unit B
1) Finlayson C. (2023), World Regional Geography - open textbook ‹https://caitiefinlayson.com/worldregional/›
Required chapters: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9.
2) Martí-Henneberg J. (a cura di) (2021), European Regions, 1870-2020. A Geographic and Historical Insight into the Process of European Integration, Springer, Cham.
Required chapters:
- Introduction (pp. v-xxx),
- cap. 1 (Germany) oppure cap. 13 (France);
- cap. 14 (Italy) oppure cap. 16 (Spain) oppure cap. 22 (Greece)
- cap. 20 Poland.
Parte C
1) Zapata-Barrero R., Awad I. (a cura di) (2024), Migrations in the Mediterranean. IMISCOE Regional Reader, Springer, Cham.
Required chapters:
- 1: Overview teorico-regionale;
- 2 oppure 4: Rotta migratoria;
- 5 oppure 17: Governance / politiche SAR;
- 18: Dimensione culturale / diaspora.
2) Carling, J. (2024). "Why Do People Migrate? Fresh Takes on the Foundational Question of Migration Studies." International Migration Review, 58(4), pp: 1757-1791.
3) One of the following texts (student's choice):
- Guarrasi, V. (2021). "Mediterranean Borders and Diaspora", in Lois-González R. (ed.), Geographies of Mediterranean Europe, pp. 267-285.
- Cusumano, E., & Riddervold, M. (2023). "Failing through: European migration governance across the Central Mediterranean." Journal of Ethnic & Migration Studies, 49(12), 3024-3042.
Unit A
1) Course notes.
2) Agnew J. (2018), "Evolution of the Regional Concept", in Paasi A. et al. (a cura di), Handbook on the Geographies of Regions and Territories, Edward Elgar, pp. 23-33.
3) Paasi A. (2002), "Bounded Spaces in the Mobile World: Deconstructing 'Regional Identity'", Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, 93(2), pp. 137-148.
Unit B
1) Course notes.
2) Finlayson C. (2023), World Regional Geography - open textbook ‹https://caitiefinlayson.com/worldregional/›
Required chapters: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9.
3) Martí-Henneberg J. (a cura di) (2021), European Regions, 1870-2020. A Geographic and Historical Insight into the Process of European Integration, Springer, Cham.
Required chapters:
- Introduzione (pp. v-xxx);
- Ch. 14 (Italy);
- Ch. 16 (Spain);
- Ch. 22 (Greece).
Unit C
1) Course notes.
2) Zapata-Barrero R., Awad I. (a cura di) (2024), Migrations in the Mediterranean. IMISCOE Regional Reader, Springer, Cham.
Required chapters:
- Ch. 1 - Theoretical & regional overview
- Ch. 2 or Ch. 4 - Migratory route (student's choice)
- Ch. 5 or Ch. 17 - Governance / SAR policies (student's choice)
- Ch. 18 - Cultural dimension / diaspora
Non-Attending Students:
Unit A
1) Agnew J. (2018), "Evolution of the Regional Concept", in Paasi A. et al. (a cura di), Handbook on the Geographies of Regions and Territories, Edward Elgar, pp. 23-33.
2) Paasi A. (2002), "Bounded Spaces in the Mobile World: Deconstructing 'Regional Identity'", in Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, 93(2), pp. 137-148.
3) Pike, A., Rodríguez-Pose, A., & Tomaney, J. (2017), "Shifting Horizons in Local and Regional Development", in Regional Studies, 51(1), pp. 46-57.
Unit B
1) Finlayson C. (2023), World Regional Geography - open textbook ‹https://caitiefinlayson.com/worldregional/›
Required chapters: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9.
2) Martí-Henneberg J. (a cura di) (2021), European Regions, 1870-2020. A Geographic and Historical Insight into the Process of European Integration, Springer, Cham.
Required chapters:
- Introduction (pp. v-xxx),
- cap. 1 (Germany) oppure cap. 13 (France);
- cap. 14 (Italy) oppure cap. 16 (Spain) oppure cap. 22 (Greece)
- cap. 20 Poland.
Parte C
1) Zapata-Barrero R., Awad I. (a cura di) (2024), Migrations in the Mediterranean. IMISCOE Regional Reader, Springer, Cham.
Required chapters:
- 1: Overview teorico-regionale;
- 2 oppure 4: Rotta migratoria;
- 5 oppure 17: Governance / politiche SAR;
- 18: Dimensione culturale / diaspora.
2) Carling, J. (2024). "Why Do People Migrate? Fresh Takes on the Foundational Question of Migration Studies." International Migration Review, 58(4), pp: 1757-1791.
3) One of the following texts (student's choice):
- Guarrasi, V. (2021). "Mediterranean Borders and Diaspora", in Lois-González R. (ed.), Geographies of Mediterranean Europe, pp. 267-285.
- Cusumano, E., & Riddervold, M. (2023). "Failing through: European migration governance across the Central Mediterranean." Journal of Ethnic & Migration Studies, 49(12), 3024-3042.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Attending students will be assessed as follows:
- a written midterm test, mainly consisting of multiple-choice questions, covering topics from Units A and B;
- an oral exam covering topics from Unit C;
- the final grade will also be based on the quality of and participation in group activities carried out during the course, particularly in Units B and C.
Non-attending students will take a comprehensive oral exam.
Students from other universities within the 4EU+ Alliance enrolled in the 4EU+ Shared Courses will take the exam for 6 ECTS only, and will be assessed exclusively on the contents of Units A and B, according to the relevant evaluation criteria.
The final grade will be expressed on a scale of thirty points.
- a written midterm test, mainly consisting of multiple-choice questions, covering topics from Units A and B;
- an oral exam covering topics from Unit C;
- the final grade will also be based on the quality of and participation in group activities carried out during the course, particularly in Units B and C.
Non-attending students will take a comprehensive oral exam.
Students from other universities within the 4EU+ Alliance enrolled in the 4EU+ Shared Courses will take the exam for 6 ECTS only, and will be assessed exclusively on the contents of Units A and B, according to the relevant evaluation criteria.
The final grade will be expressed on a scale of thirty points.
Professor(s)
Reception:
The lecturer is available for office hours on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., by appointment via email.
Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage (BAC), Geography Section Via Festa del Perdono 7 (Cortile Legnaia)