POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY

Designed for the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Language and Cultural Mediation, this course introduces the main concepts and analytical tools of contemporary political and economic geography, with particular attention to the relationships between territory, environment, economy, and power.
The course offers a critical perspective on global transformations through the analysis of the socio-ecological dynamics shaping the contemporary world, from the climate crisis and globalization processes to territorial conflicts and issues related to access to resources, while considering how these processes influence intercultural relations, mediation practices, and forms of coexistence and cooperation within territories.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

- Knowledge and Understanding
understand the main concepts of political and economic geography;
understand the relationships between economic, environmental, and territorial processes;
become familiar with major contemporary debates concerning the climate crisis, the Anthropocene, and socio-ecological transformations.

- Applying Knowledge and Understanding
interpret territorial phenomena at different geographical scales;
analyse cases of conflict and environmental change;
use qualitative research methods for the analysis of territories, social practices, and cultural diversity.

- Skills
critically discuss contemporary geographical issues;
connect local and global processes;
design and carry out basic individual and group research activities based on qualitative methodologies.

No specific prior knowledge is required. The course assumes an interest in the analysis of contemporary territorial, social, and environmental issues, as well as a willingness to participate in discussion, research, and group-work activities.

The course addresses selected key themes in contemporary political and economic geography, focusing on the relationships between society, environment, and territory.

Topics include:
fundamental concepts of political and economic geography;
political ecology and environmental justice;
the climate crisis and the Anthropocene;
food systems, food sovereignty, and agroecology;
interspecies relations and animal geographies;
geographies of peace, cooperation, and coexistence;
qualitative methodologies for geographical research, with particular attention to listening to cultural pluralities.

To be defined.

Final assessment will be based on a group project carried out during the course and an individual final examination. The group project will focus on the critical analysis of a topic addressed during the course through qualitative geographical research methods. Assessment will consider both the knowledge acquired and the ability to apply it critically to the interpretation of contemporary phenomena.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

The minimum passing grade is 18/30, and the maximum grade is 30/30 with a possible “lode”.
Written exam, with the possibility of an additional oral component.

The course will combine theoretical lectures with collective discussions, case-study analysis, and guided readings. Participatory teaching methods will be employed to encourage the critical observation of contemporary territorial and socio-ecological phenomena.
Part of the course will be devoted to the practical use of qualitative research methods, including listening practices and interviews, through a group project focused on the geographical interpretation of a territory or a socio-environmental issue.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development