Ateneo - UPO

Foundations of economic geography declined/applied to humanistic studies; elements of human, regional, and political geography

FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS:

- Material published on the DIR
- Lecture notes
- Book “Geografia dell’economia mondiale” by Conti S., Dematteis G., Nano F., and Vanolo A. (5th edition, UTET, 2022), ONLY CHAPTERS 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, AND 12.

FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:

- Book “Geografia dell’economia mondiale” by Conti S., Dematteis G., Nano F., and Vanolo A. (5th edition, UTET, 2022), ALL CHAPTERS.

The course aims to provide the theoretical and analytical tools of human and economic geography in order to develop interpretations and critical reflections on the main economic phenomena that take shape in space and are reflected in the landscape. Particular attention will be given to the themes of globalization, development and underdevelopment, spatial relationships, urbanization, international cooperation, and tourism, in line with the broader educational framework of the degree programs for which the course is offered. Specifically, the learning objectives of the course include:
- the acquisition of knowledge and interpretative skills with reference to the spatial aspects of economic and, to a lesser extent, political phenomena;
- the development of independent judgment and advanced communicative ability in the critical interpretation of significant geo-economic phenomena.

Not required

Lectures to prioritize the logical-conceptual learning channel; participatory lessons supported by images, photographs, cartographic and paracartographic representations to strengthen the visual and iconographic learning channel.

Students with disabilities or with Specific Learning Disorders (DSA) or Special Educational Needs (BES) may request specific services and tools dedicated to them by contacting the Staff for Career Development and Student Services and by consulting the dedicated page on the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentidisabili-e-dsa. Students with disabilities, SLD, or SEN, once they have contacted the University Staff, may get in touch with the course instructor regarding the examination arrangements and teaching-related aspects.

The exam will be written and will consist of 12 multiple-choice questions and 2 open-ended questions. The exam is designed to assess: the acquisition of knowledge regarding the topics covered during the course, in relation to specific phenomena that characterize economic geography; the ability to apply the acquired knowledge by framing the world’s economic organization in space and time and with reference to appropriate geographical categories; the ability to express critical judgments on the economic dynamics that cause territorial development disparities; the ability to communicate effectively the notions and arguments learned and to synthesize complex problems by identifying the essential thematic cores of territorial organization. The answers, both in content and in form, will also allow for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the study method adopted and the proper organization of work. The grade will be expressed on a scale of thirty points. A test demonstrating a fair or more than good knowledge of the subject will be considered satisfactory or excellent; a test showing only minimal knowledge of the program and limited personal opinions will be considered sufficient. A test showing educational gaps and an inability to contextualize will be considered insufficient.

The course aims to introduce a critical reflection on the global scale concerning the contents, practices, and tools of economic geography. The course seeks to help students grasp the great diversity of the contemporary world—with its regions experiencing different forms of development, underdevelopment, cooperation, and conflict—and to highlight the various actors and perspectives present on the international political scene and within global economic networks. The course is structured into lectures covering the following topics: the geo-economic space—territory, regions, networks; the different regional spaces; the world-system and globalization; economy, environment, and natural resources; population, labor, migration, and society; agricultural spaces; mining and energy production; industrial supply chains; international trade flows; tourism; cities as centers of the world economy; the impact of Industry 4.0 on territories; policies for local development and territorial governance.

At the end of the course, in terms of expected learning outcomes, the student must have developed knowledge and awareness enabling the use of a geographical and critical perspective on a wide range of economic phenomena.