Geographic and historical development of the mountain in the long run

A.A. 2023/2024
6
Crediti massimi
56
Ore totali
SSD
M-GGR/01 SECS-P/12
Lingua
Inglese
Obiettivi formativi
To provide students with knowledge of the dynamics of mountainous economy in Europe over the long run from the emergence of the Middle Ages communities up to the current trend, focusing on the historical and geographic contextualization of the mutual conditioning of man and mountain environment.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able: - to have a sound dominance of natural and environmental elements of mountain geography; - to have a good command of concepts and interpretations concerning the main models of mountain economies in the long run (with particular attention to the exploitation of resources, innovations, formal or informal rules); - to single out and evaluate the critical hairpin bends in the paths of evolution of a mountain economic system; - to understand and evaluate, through a comparative approach, the role of institutions in conditioning and determining, over the long run, the main characteristics and types of mountain economic systems; - to reflect on the role of national and international contexts in providing opportunities and/or placing constraints on growth and development of such mountain economic systems; - to carry on a critical analysis of economic/entrepreneurial choices and decision-making processes in relation to inertia and traditions, technological factors (or limits), and short or long term crises, in mountain contexts.
Corso singolo

Questo insegnamento può essere seguito come corso singolo.

Programma e organizzazione didattica

Edizione unica

Periodo
Secondo semestre

Programma
Module 1 The Geography - 3 CFU - 32h - SSD M-GGR/01

The module aims to provide preliminary knowledge of the regional geography of the Alpine environment and its multifaceted links with human communities. Moving away from a purely 'naturalistic' view (the Alps as a wilderness frontier) and approaching it from a systemic perspective, the module deals with:
(I) issues related to Alpine environments, societies, and cultures, with a particular focus on natural resources and the two-way relationship established between these and local communities through space;
(II) the role of the mountains in contemporary Europe, on the edge between (sustainable) economic development and environmental conservation.
Lessons direct students towards an understanding of human-environment dynamics across different spatial scales. Hence, the objective of the module is to introduce students to the study of such interrelationships borrowing tools and concepts from the geographical and sociological sciences.


Module 2 The Economic History - 3 CFU - 32h- SSD SECS-P/12

Debunking long-held negative claims about mountains (primarily the idea that they were merely "factories of men produced for the use of others"), the module intends to provide students with knowledge of the dynamics of mountainous economy in Europe over the long run. It envisages the period from the emergence of the Middle Ages communities up to the current trend. The approach is that of geo-history introduced by Fernand Braudel and based on the study of a double liaison, from nature to man and man to nature; on the one hand, there were the natural conditions that affected or constrained human endeavors, on the other hand there were the human attainments over these same conditions.
The goal is to provide students with awareness of the complexity of the economic processes in mountain areas putting together environmental, institutional and social factors. Particular attention is posed to their interplay in comparative perspective, in order to determine meaningful changes and path-dependences in the evolution of specific mountain economic models.
The tone of the course is essentially interpretative and is aimed at providing students with the geographical and historical skills needed to comprehend the genealogy of some of the most daunting economic and environmental challenges that today's mountain areas must face along the path to sustainable development.



TOPICS

The man-mountain relationship (habitat, social organization, agriculture, and alpine pasture);
The idea of natural resource in the mountain areas: history, evolution, issues;
The role of scale in analysing human-environmental systems;
Disentangling the social via the network framework: societal evolution from local communities to transnational actions;
Human settlements; mountain cities; transport and communication infrastructures;
Alpine communities in the long run; the overall perception of mountain and mountain dwellers; the communication of the idea of mountain over the long run;
Patterns of agriculture developments and industrial exploitation in medieval era;
Torn between corveès and monetary economy: working in the mountain areas during the Middle Ages;
Colporteur, entrepreneurs and enterprises during the pre-industrial era: the unrelenting pursuit of profits in mountain areas; towards an high-altitude capitalism;
Mountain economy in the time of industrialization (XIX-XX cc.): integration or marginalization? The origin of minority;
A "polyphony" of organizational forms in the age of globalization. The genealogy of the new patterns of mountain economic success in the time of sustainable development.
Mountains and Agenda 2030: what role can mountains play in the pursuit of sustainability?
Prerequisiti
None
Metodi didattici
Frontal lectures - accompanied by multimedia supports - combined with classroom works (flipped classrooms, buzz groups, cold calling, presentations by students on proposed themes and materials) in which students are required to actively participate.
Materiale di riferimento
Instructors will upload the slides and additional materials for both attending and non attending students on https://ariel.unimi.it
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
Attending Students
For the attending students 50% of the evaluation is carried out through classroom activities (flipped classrooms, buzz groups, cold calling, presentations) and 50% through a written test, based on the teaching materials and notes used during lectures. The test comprises two sections; the former, made up of multiple-choice questions, is intended to ascertain the command of the ideas, events, dates, economic and financial dynamics related to the themes of the course; the latter, made up of two open-ended answers, is intended to verify the learning outcomes of the course.

Non Attending students
For those who do not attend, the assessment is based on a written test, after which the study and knowledge of the material indicated for those who do not attend is strictly necessary. The test comprises two sections; the former, made up of multiple-choice questions, is intended to ascertain the command of the ideas, events, dates, economic and financial dynamics related to the themes of the course; the latter, made up of five open-ended answers, is intended to verify the learning outcomes of the course.
M-GGR/01 - GEOGRAFIA
SECS-P/12 - STORIA ECONOMICA
Esercitazioni: 16 ore
Lezioni: 40 ore
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
su appuntamento
via Celoria 2, piano 2 (in presenza) e via Teams (da remoto)