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Geography Theories and Praxis

A.Y. 2026/2027
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
GEOG-01/A
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the bascic specific knowledge related to the disciplinary vocabulary and the theoretical-methodological skills to understand geographical and socio-economic issues of a complex nature.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will acquire the ability to deal with geo-territorial problems presented in critical, autonomous and proactive terms.

Lesson period: First semester

Lessons timetable

Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi

Exams calendar

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.

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Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Gambazza Giuseppe
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course covers and discusses the following topics: the evolution of geographical theories and methods, as well as the current state of the discipline, with particular attention to its major scholars and schools of thought; the diversity of geographical approaches, with in-depth consideration of some of the main branches of geography, including regional, economic and political geography, population geography, social geography, urban geography, environmental geography, the geography of languages and religions, and tourism geography.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of the major historical events of the modern and contemporary periods, as well as of the main physical and human geographical features of the Earth.
Teaching methods
The course will combine lectures and participatory learning activities, with the aim of fostering students' ability to analyse the territorial dynamics that shape geographical spaces. Throughout the course, videos and visual materials with geographical content will also be used to explore specific topics in greater depth. In addition, participatory activities are planned to actively engage students in the learning process.
Teaching Resources
Attending students
1) Lecture notes and course slides;
2) Fouberg E.H., Murphy A.B. (2022) Geografia umana. Cultura, società, spazio, Bologna, Zanichelli.
3) Murphy A. (2025), Geografia. Perché è importante, Milano, Unicopli.
4) One of the following texts:
· Brilli A. (2006), Il viaggio in Italia. Storia di una grande tradizione culturale, Il Mulino, Bologna (Introduction and Chapters I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, IX, XIV, XV).
· De Wenden C.W. (2016), Le nuove migrazioni. Luoghi, uomini, politiche, Pàtron, Bologna.
· Dumont I., Gambazza G., Gamberoni E. (eds.) (2021), Interstizi e novità: oltre il mainstream. Esplorazioni di geografia sociale, Geography Notebooks, vol. 4, no. 2.
· Gavinelli D., Dal Borgo A. (2016), Asia-Pacifico: regione emergente. Luoghi culture relazioni, Mimesis, Milano-Udine.
· Gavinelli D., Zanolin G. (2016), La città "messa a fuoco". Territorio, società e lavoro nella fotografia della città metropolitana di Milano, Mimesis, Milano-Udine.
· Marshall T. (2020), Le dieci mappe che spiegano il mondo, Garzanti, Milano.
· Mazza G., Zanolin G. (2025), Paesaggi rurali in ricomposizione. Riflessioni ed esperienze in Lombardia e Sardegna, Mimesis, Milano-Udine.
· Molinari P. (2021), Periferie Europee. Istituzioni sociali, politiche, luoghi, Franco Angeli, Milano.

Non-attending students
1) Fouberg E.H., Murphy A.B. (2022), Geografia umana. Cultura, società, spazio, Bologna, Zanichelli.
2. Murphy A. (2025), Geografia. Perché è importante, Milano, Unicopli.
3. Frémont A. (2007), Vi piace la geografia?, Italian edition edited by Dino Gavinelli, Carocci, Roma.
4. One of the following texts:
· Brilli A. (2006), Il viaggio in Italia. Storia di una grande tradizione culturale, Il Mulino, Bologna (Introduction and Chapters I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, IX, XIV, XV).
· De Wenden C.W. (2016), Le nuove migrazioni. Luoghi, uomini, politiche, Pàtron, Bologna.
· Dumont I., Gambazza G., Gamberoni E. (eds.) (2021), Interstizi e novità: oltre il mainstream. Esplorazioni di geografia sociale, Geography Notebooks, vol. 4, no. 2.
· Gavinelli D., Dal Borgo A. (2016), Asia-Pacifico: regione emergente. Luoghi culture relazioni, Mimesis, Milano-Udine.
· Gavinelli D., Zanolin G. (2016), La città "messa a fuoco". Territorio, società e lavoro nella fotografia della città metropolitana di Milano, Mimesis, Milano-Udine.
· Marshall T. (2020), Le dieci mappe che spiegano il mondo, Garzanti, Milano.
· Mazza G., Zanolin G. (2025), Paesaggi rurali in ricomposizione. Riflessioni ed esperienze in Lombardia e Sardegna, Mimesis, Milano-Udine.
· Molinari P. (2021), Periferie Europee. Istituzioni sociali, politiche, luoghi, Franco Angeli, Milano.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of an oral interview aimed at assessing students' knowledge of the main topics in Human Geography covered during lectures and discussed in the readings listed in the course syllabus. In particular, students will be evaluated on their ability to interpret the material and immaterial dimensions of environmental and territorial phenomena; their communication skills with regard to the core themes of the discipline; and their ability to develop a critical understanding of the issues addressed throughout the course.
Modules or teaching units
Part C
GEOG-01/A - Geography - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor: Gavinelli Dino
Parts A and B
GEOG-01/A - Geography - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor: Gambazza Giuseppe
Professor(s)
Gambazza Giuseppe
Reception:
The lecturer is available by appointment
Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage (BAC), Geography Section Via Festa del Perdono 7 (Cortile Legnaia)
Gavinelli Dino
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 Teams.