Learning outcomes

The course focuses on the logics and processes through which the terrestrial spaces have been organized and the spatial relations evolve among the political, economic and social actors.

Program

Topics

The course is structured in two parts, one dedicated to politics and one to the economy.

Space and its meanings
Space represented and space involved
The State and its spatial characteristics: shape, size, position
Boundaries and frontiers
Spatial models
Peopling and population
Economy and its meanings
Energy resources: issues and problems
Interlinking and relationship between politics and economics
Geopolitics


Teaching methods
Teaching methods are distinct from attending and non-attending students.
With regard to attending students, teaching methods consist in frontal lessons in Italian language devoted to the transmission of basic notions, key categories and key application tools. Additionally, exercises in the History and Cartography Didactics Lab provide useful support in understanding case studies related to the present day with maps and documentary material.
Throughout the academic year the teacher is available for an individual meetings, agreed via web or telephone. Attending students will receive the complete calendar of teaching activities with the dates, classrooms and topics covered in the lessons, and how to prepare and take the exam.
With regard to non-attending students, the teaching methods consist of a teacher support to facilitate the textbook study. Any further information will be provided to the student when the ad hoc program is agreed upon.
The content of the textbooks, as well as the lessons and exercises held in the classroom, is adhering to the program

Suggested material
Attending students:
S. Conti, G. Dematteis, C. Lanza, F. Nano, Geografia dell’economia mondiale, Torino, Utet, 2010.
G. Lizza, Geopolitica delle prossime sfide, Torino, Utet, 2011

Non-attendanting students:
Program to be agreed with the teacher

Examination Methods

The assessment of learning outcomes includes:
- for attending students: a written preliminary exam (optional and only at the end of the course) of the acquired knowledge and a supplementary oral examination;
- for non-attending students: an oral exam
EXAMINATION
Objectives of the assessment tests
The written test is intended to ascertain the knowledge of the classroom topics and the ability to apply logic to the various proposed issues.
The supplementary oral test consists of an interview aimed at developing the issues emerging in the context of written pre-assessment.
The full oral test consists of an interview aimed at verifying:
- the depth and breadth of the acquired knowledge;
- the property of language;
- the ability to connect systematically knowledge;
- analytical and argumentative ability.
Content and method of carrying out the assessment tests
The written test potentially covers all the topics in the program given at the opening of the course to the student. The written exam is divided into four questions related to the topics discussed in the course. Each question is associated with a score expressed in 30s. The written test concludes with a vote proposal that the student can integrate with the supplementary oral exam.
The full oral test is about the entire program. The final evaluation is expressed in 30s.
ERASMUS students are requested to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course to agree on the teaching and examination methods together.