B028826 - SOCIAL GEOGRAPHY

English

The course investigates the city as a socio-political space. It first deepens the very concept of “city”, with particular focus on the concepts of public space, right to the city and quality of life; it then discusses methodologies for researching and planning the city, with case-studies from the Global North and South

I testi di riferimento del corso sono i seguenti:
• Knox, P. & Pinch, S. (2009), Urban social geography: an introduction, Routledge, London.
• Kitchin, R. & Tate, N.J., Conducting research in human geography: Theory, Methodology and Practice

Further study materials will be provided at the starting of the course.

Knowledge: the students become acquainted with advanced notions in the field of urban theories and urban policies.
Competences: students will learn to critically reflect on the processes investing the contemporary city in a global perspective.
Capacity: students are introduced to field research and spatial management in urban contexts.

Students are expected to be acquainted with the main theoretical and methodological approaches in Geography.

The course is based on seminar activity. Students will be requested to actively participate to the course with group presentations and discussion.

Attending classes is mandatory. Individual programs are permitted only in special cases.

Students will prepare, present and discuss a paper on a selected topic concerning urban geography.

The course focuses on the following topics:
- Urban theories and definitions
- City as social and political space
- Urban movements and the right to the city
- Urban public space and the quality of life
- Research methods in urban studies