Historical Geography
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course provides the broad outlines of historical geography and the tools necessary to understand the main aspects of global consciousness and its representations from antiquity to modernity.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course the student will have acquired the knowledge of the different conceptions of the world and its representations from antiquity to the present day. It will also be able to fix historical place names in their chronological and geographical contexts. The student will be able to use linguistic tools (language properties, correct specific lexicon) appropriately to express, in a clear and effective way, the disciplinary foundations inserted in the appropriate religious, economic and political contexts of the ages of reference: he will be able to read critically maps and works of geographical-historical character, and use the main tools, including digital tools, for the research and analysis of sources. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the instructor in the classroom. The discussion around the proposed sources will be an essential moment of critical reflection and methodological learning. Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to make use of the educational tools provided by the instructor on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings with the agreement with the instructor, and contact the instructor during office hours.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
First Semester
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: Towards a Critical Historical Geography
Module 1: Basic Elements of Human Geography
Module 2: Processes of Territorialisation
Module 3: Theories and Methods of Historical Geography: Historical Cartography and Territorial Transformations
Module 1: Basic Elements of Human Geography
Module 2: Processes of Territorialisation
Module 3: Theories and Methods of Historical Geography: Historical Cartography and Territorial Transformations
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prerequisites are required beyond those for admission to the degree programme.
Teaching methods
Class attendance is strongly recommended, although not compulsory. The course is primarily delivered through lectures designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and subject-specific terminology required by the discipline. Classroom discussion with the lecturer is an integral part of the teaching method and is intended to foster critical thinking and the ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired.
The course also makes use of teaching and multimedia materials available on MyAriel.
The course includes guest lectures by invited scholars on selected topics.
The course also makes use of teaching and multimedia materials available on MyAriel.
The course includes guest lectures by invited scholars on selected topics.
Teaching Resources
Attending students
Programme for 9 CFU:
· Teaching materials prepared by the lecturer for the first part of the course, covering selected foundational topics in human geography;
· Angelo Turco, Verso una teoria geografica della complessità [Towards a Geographical Theory of Complexity], Milan, Unicopli, 1988, selected sections as indicated by the lecturer;
· A course reader prepared by the lecturer for the third part of the course, focusing on theories and methods in historical geography;
· Tzvetan Todorov, La conquista dell'America. Il problema dell'altro [The Conquest of America: The Question of the Other], Turin, Einaudi, 1992 or later editions.
Non-attending students
Programme for 9 CFU:
In addition to the texts and materials required for attending students, non-attending students are required to read V. Serra and M. Tanca (eds.), Raccontare il mondo, descrivere la natura. L'opera di Alexander von Humboldt tra letteratura e scienza [Narrating the World, Describing Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's Work between Literature and Science], Cagliari, UnicaPress, 2023, excluding the contributions by Isabella Ferron and Alessandra Goggio (https://unicapress.unica.it/index.php/unicapress/catalog/view/978-88-3312-087-4/978-88-3312-087-4/661-1)
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan for exam preparation.
Programme for 9 CFU:
· Teaching materials prepared by the lecturer for the first part of the course, covering selected foundational topics in human geography;
· Angelo Turco, Verso una teoria geografica della complessità [Towards a Geographical Theory of Complexity], Milan, Unicopli, 1988, selected sections as indicated by the lecturer;
· A course reader prepared by the lecturer for the third part of the course, focusing on theories and methods in historical geography;
· Tzvetan Todorov, La conquista dell'America. Il problema dell'altro [The Conquest of America: The Question of the Other], Turin, Einaudi, 1992 or later editions.
Non-attending students
Programme for 9 CFU:
In addition to the texts and materials required for attending students, non-attending students are required to read V. Serra and M. Tanca (eds.), Raccontare il mondo, descrivere la natura. L'opera di Alexander von Humboldt tra letteratura e scienza [Narrating the World, Describing Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's Work between Literature and Science], Cagliari, UnicaPress, 2023, excluding the contributions by Isabella Ferron and Alessandra Goggio (https://unicapress.unica.it/index.php/unicapress/catalog/view/978-88-3312-087-4/978-88-3312-087-4/661-1)
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan for exam preparation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Method: written examination, with the option of a supplementary oral examination.
- Type of examination: the written examination consists mainly of closed-ended questions, together with short-answer questions. Students who obtain a mark of 27/30 or higher in the written examination may take a supplementary oral examination, which may confirm or improve the mark obtained in the written examination. The award of 30 cum laude requires successful completion of the supplementary oral examination.
- Length of written examination or practice: 90 minutes
- Evaluation criteria: knowledge and understanding of the topics and texts included in the syllabus; ability to identify and correctly use the main concepts of the discipline; ability to establish connections between the different topics; clarity and accuracy of the answers; appropriate use of specialist terminology. In the supplementary oral examination, students' ability to present their knowledge in a well-structured manner and to engage in critical reasoning will also be assessed.
- Type of evaluation method: marks are awarded on a scale of 30. The examination is passed with a mark of at least 18/30. A mark of 30 cum laude may be awarded following the supplementary oral examination.
- Mid-course tests or early examination sessions: no mid-course tests or early examination sessions are scheduled.
- Materials permitted during the examination: the use of books, notes, electronic devices or other teaching materials is not permitted.
- Method of communication of the results of written examinations: results will be published on the ARIEL platform.
Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disabilities must be agreed in advance with the lecturer, in consultation with the relevant University office ([email protected] or [email protected]).
- Type of examination: the written examination consists mainly of closed-ended questions, together with short-answer questions. Students who obtain a mark of 27/30 or higher in the written examination may take a supplementary oral examination, which may confirm or improve the mark obtained in the written examination. The award of 30 cum laude requires successful completion of the supplementary oral examination.
- Length of written examination or practice: 90 minutes
- Evaluation criteria: knowledge and understanding of the topics and texts included in the syllabus; ability to identify and correctly use the main concepts of the discipline; ability to establish connections between the different topics; clarity and accuracy of the answers; appropriate use of specialist terminology. In the supplementary oral examination, students' ability to present their knowledge in a well-structured manner and to engage in critical reasoning will also be assessed.
- Type of evaluation method: marks are awarded on a scale of 30. The examination is passed with a mark of at least 18/30. A mark of 30 cum laude may be awarded following the supplementary oral examination.
- Mid-course tests or early examination sessions: no mid-course tests or early examination sessions are scheduled.
- Materials permitted during the examination: the use of books, notes, electronic devices or other teaching materials is not permitted.
- Method of communication of the results of written examinations: results will be published on the ARIEL platform.
Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disabilities must be agreed in advance with the lecturer, in consultation with the relevant University office ([email protected] or [email protected]).
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
GEOG-01/A - Geography - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
GEOG-01/A - Geography - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Second Semester
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: Images and Territorial Transformations: Tools for Historical Geography
Module 1: Basic Elements of Human Geography
Module 2: Processes of Territorialisation
Module 3: Theories and Methods of Historical Geography: Images and Representations of Territory
Module 1: Basic Elements of Human Geography
Module 2: Processes of Territorialisation
Module 3: Theories and Methods of Historical Geography: Images and Representations of Territory
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prerequisites are required beyond those for admission to the degree programme.
Teaching methods
Class attendance is strongly recommended, although not compulsory. The course is primarily delivered through lectures designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and subject-specific terminology required by the discipline. Classroom discussion with the lecturer is an integral part of the teaching method and is intended to foster critical thinking and the ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired.
The course also makes use of teaching and multimedia materials available on MyAriel.
The course includes guest lectures by invited scholars on selected topics.
The course also makes use of teaching and multimedia materials available on MyAriel.
The course includes guest lectures by invited scholars on selected topics.
Teaching Resources
Attending students
Programme for 9 CFU:
· Teaching materials prepared by the lecturer for the first part of the course, covering selected foundational topics in human geography;
· Angelo Turco, Verso una teoria geografica della complessità [Towards a Geographical Theory of Complexity], Milan, Unicopli, 1988, selected sections as indicated by the lecturer;
· A course reader prepared by the lecturer for the third part of the course, focusing on theories and methods in historical geography;
· Tzvetan Todorov, La conquista dell'America. Il problema dell'altro [The Conquest of America: The Question of the Other], Turin, Einaudi, 1992 or later editions.
Non-attending students
Programme for 9 CFU:
In addition to the texts and materials required for attending students, non-attending students are required to read G. Tatasciore, Il mondo impaginato. Geografia, viaggi e consumo culturale nel primo Ottocento [The World in Print: Geography, Travel and Cultural Consumption in the Early Nineteenth Century], Rome, Carocci, 2024.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan for exam preparation.
Programme for 9 CFU:
· Teaching materials prepared by the lecturer for the first part of the course, covering selected foundational topics in human geography;
· Angelo Turco, Verso una teoria geografica della complessità [Towards a Geographical Theory of Complexity], Milan, Unicopli, 1988, selected sections as indicated by the lecturer;
· A course reader prepared by the lecturer for the third part of the course, focusing on theories and methods in historical geography;
· Tzvetan Todorov, La conquista dell'America. Il problema dell'altro [The Conquest of America: The Question of the Other], Turin, Einaudi, 1992 or later editions.
Non-attending students
Programme for 9 CFU:
In addition to the texts and materials required for attending students, non-attending students are required to read G. Tatasciore, Il mondo impaginato. Geografia, viaggi e consumo culturale nel primo Ottocento [The World in Print: Geography, Travel and Cultural Consumption in the Early Nineteenth Century], Rome, Carocci, 2024.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan for exam preparation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Method: written examination, with the option of a supplementary oral examination.
- Type of examination: the written examination consists mainly of closed-ended questions, together with short-answer questions. Students who obtain a mark of 27/30 or higher in the written examination may take a supplementary oral examination, which may confirm or improve the mark obtained in the written examination. The award of 30 cum laude requires successful completion of the supplementary oral examination.
- Length of written examination or practice: 90 minutes
- Evaluation criteria: knowledge and understanding of the topics and texts included in the syllabus; ability to identify and correctly use the main concepts of the discipline; ability to establish connections between the different topics; clarity and accuracy of the answers; appropriate use of specialist terminology. In the supplementary oral examination, students' ability to present their knowledge in a well-structured manner and to engage in critical reasoning will also be assessed.
- Type of evaluation method: marks are awarded on a scale of 30. The examination is passed with a mark of at least 18/30. A mark of 30 cum laude may be awarded following the supplementary oral examination.
- Mid-course tests or early examination sessions: no mid-course tests or early examination sessions are scheduled.
- Materials permitted during the examination: the use of books, notes, electronic devices or other teaching materials is not permitted.
- Method of communication of the results of written examinations: results will be published on the ARIEL platform.
Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disabilities must be agreed in advance with the lecturer, in consultation with the relevant University office ([email protected] or [email protected]).
- Type of examination: the written examination consists mainly of closed-ended questions, together with short-answer questions. Students who obtain a mark of 27/30 or higher in the written examination may take a supplementary oral examination, which may confirm or improve the mark obtained in the written examination. The award of 30 cum laude requires successful completion of the supplementary oral examination.
- Length of written examination or practice: 90 minutes
- Evaluation criteria: knowledge and understanding of the topics and texts included in the syllabus; ability to identify and correctly use the main concepts of the discipline; ability to establish connections between the different topics; clarity and accuracy of the answers; appropriate use of specialist terminology. In the supplementary oral examination, students' ability to present their knowledge in a well-structured manner and to engage in critical reasoning will also be assessed.
- Type of evaluation method: marks are awarded on a scale of 30. The examination is passed with a mark of at least 18/30. A mark of 30 cum laude may be awarded following the supplementary oral examination.
- Mid-course tests or early examination sessions: no mid-course tests or early examination sessions are scheduled.
- Materials permitted during the examination: the use of books, notes, electronic devices or other teaching materials is not permitted.
- Method of communication of the results of written examinations: results will be published on the ARIEL platform.
Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disabilities must be agreed in advance with the lecturer, in consultation with the relevant University office ([email protected] or [email protected]).
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
GEOG-01/A - Geography - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
GEOG-01/A - Geography - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)