GEOGRAPHY OF THE ANTHROPOCENE

The course is inserted as a choice exam in the Bachelor's degree in "Storia" (FT5). As such, it offers the opportunity to explore some issues of the concept of the Anthropocene.
This concept is emerging as a synthesis of the changings affect the global ecological system. As a product of man-environment relations, it appears to be fruitfully investigable from the point of view of the human sciences and in particular from the geographical ones. The main objective of the course is to provide some tools to analyse the historical origin and the geographical distribution of the effects of the Anthropocene.

1. Knowledge and understanding
1.1 Acquiring the fundamental concepts of the man-environment relationship in a geo-historical key
1.2 Knowing the contemporary impacts of human activities on the environment, with particular attention to the problem of climate change

2. Applying knowledge and analyzing
2.1 Use the tools of geography to read the territorial effects of activities that involve alterations in the environmental and climatic system of the Planet
2.2 Recognize and identify the cultural and technological processes that have guided the evolution of our species, and its organizational forms, and the progressive expansion of its ecological niche
2.3 Critically address the geographical-environmental literature on the anthropocene

3. Ability to judge
3.1 Evaluate the geo-historical processes that have contributed to configuring Sapiens' ecological transgressivity, and the specific and cultural responsibilities of the ecological crisis

4. Communication skills:
4.1. Writing in a logic and synthetic style, in order to expose the knowledge acquired
4.2. Use of terminology and semantic register appropriate to the discipline

Fundamentals of physical and human geography

The course will provide the key themes of a Geography of the Anthropocene from a predominantly historical perspective, consistent with the main didactic purpose of the course. After the necessary analysis of the defining aspects and the scientific debate they fuel, the main stages that have underpinned the ‘conquest of the world’ by Sapiens are traced, starting with the theme of the great Pleistocene extinctions.
Specific attention is then paid to some specific components of the current ecological crisis, addressed both from a regional perspective and, above all, on the broader global scale. These include the theme of global warming and climate change, their causes, geographical effects and scenarios.
The historical-philosophical posture of anthropocentrism is constantly recalled as the interpretative background and, at the same time, the driving force behind the crisis and the target towards a real culture of sustainability.

Recommended texts will be shared in the next few weeks

Written test with open questions related to the topics covered. One question for each part of the program. Ability to apply knowledge, understanding and judgment skills mentioned above are tested. The test has a duration of 90 minutes. The final grade is given by the average of the grades, expressed in thirtieths, achieved in each question. In the exam, it is necessary to be equipped with lined paper or, alternatively, a laptop computer or tablet placed in off-line mode.

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.

Evaluation grid:

27-30 cum laude: excellent knowledge of the syllabus with the ability to analyse the texts in depth; organic vision of the themes addressed in class and/or studied in the texts; excellent disciplinary language and adequate semantic register

23-26: good knowledge of the syllabus and ability to analyse correctly but with some imperfections; fair ownership of disciplinary language with some uncertainty in exposition and/or imprecision

18-22: sufficient but sketchy knowledge of the syllabus; superficial understanding of texts and limited ability to analyse; expression not always appropriate.

negative assessment: poor knowledge of the programme; inadequate ability to analyse; incorrect or inappropriate written expression

Lectures with discussion and seminars

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