The objectives of the Geography of Networks course are consistent with those of the Degree Program within which it is situated. They aim to develop in students:Advanced knowledge in the economic-business, financial, and legal areas, necessary for an integrated understanding of the economic-productive phenomenon and the organizations that develop it, from both a national and international perspective.A sophisticated economic-business culture that will enable them to understand, in their complexity, the ongoing changes in the organization and management of economic activities in a global competitive context.An interfunctional vision of the 'company' phenomenon, articulated in its various functional areas.Advanced skills on the main topics of management and organization of enterprises in an international context as well as on the accounting recording and representation of their operations.Knowledge at both a theoretical level and of the main tools developed by business economics for the administration, management control, and financial management of companies, whether they are manufacturing, commercial, or service-oriented, public or private, with a national and/or international operational scope.The knowledge required to take the State examination for access to the liberal professions in the economic area, in compliance with legal constraints.Specialist skills in the activities and production processes related to different modes of transport, intermodality, and basic and advanced logistics. The course in particular is aimed at addressing the following objectives: KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Know the main elements characterizing space and the economical space Know the main instruments used by geography and economic geography to tackle spatial issues Know the models used to represent and analyse geographical reality Understand the theoretical foundations of geography within the framework of the geographical and economical sciences Understand the importance of space in human and economic decisions Understand the importance of spatial thinking Understand the benefits and limitations of models used in economic APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Know how to study a geographical space Know which methods and models to apply to the different economical sectors Know how to evaluate an economical choice over the geographical space MAKING JUDGEMENTS: Students have to demonstrate - at the end of the course - that they have not only memorised the concepts but they have understood and interiorized them through possible application in situations other than those presented during the course COMMUNICATION SKILLS: The purpose of the oral exam is to verify the student's ability to communicate effectively and with technical language properties the concepts learned during the course LEARNING SKILLS: At the end of the course, a student must demonstrate that he/she can apply the minimum knowledge and understanding descripted in this syllabus Overall, the course aims to provide a comprehensive and insightful understanding of networks as fundamental elements of territorial organization and their profound impact on various aspects of society and development.

No prerequisite. A previous frequency of courses of Geography or Economic Geography at undergraduate level would be preferrable.

Fundamental Concepts in Geography and Economic-Political Geography Network Geography in Economic Geography and its Interrelationships with Geographical and Economic Sciences The Economic Dimension of Networks Concepts of distance, space, and network geographies Circulation, communication, geographical mobility, and spatial interaction Elements of the geography of transport and communications The Multiscalar Approach to Geography Local, regional, and global scales Methodologies for Network Analysis Graph theory Network analysis Spatial interaction models Networks and Territorial Development Transport networks (passengers and goods) Communication and information networks (Internet, social networks) Energy networks Networks and Cities The city as a node in local, regional, and global networks

Materials will be presented in class and uploaded onto the Moodle Platform. Text: P- Khanna, "Connectography: Le mappe del futuro ordine mondiale". Fazi Editore, 2016. Following chapters: 1st part (chapters 1, 2) 3rd part (chapters 7, 8, 9, 10) 4th part (chapter 13) 5th part (chapter 14) Conclusions Reading: G. BORRUSO, Geografie di rete, Bologna, Pàtron, 2011. J. P. Rodrigue, The Geography of Transport Systems (ultima edizione disponibile)

This course aims to provide an approach to the study of networks, whether material or immaterial, as elements of territorial organization, particularly of human settlements and economic activities that develop in space. Network structures strongly and markedly characterize the society in which we live, with different forms and with different impacts on the territory. Networks and the ways in which it is possible to visualize the spatial organization effects that these allow on the territory are the main object of this course: in fact, there are many phenomena that can be represented by means of networks, and in particular as regards anthropic manifestations, transport and communication networks are those that more than others draw the pattern of interactions in geographical space, contributing to determining the channels through which economic development and human relations are directed.The course, in its first part, deals with the introductory, methodological and framing elements of the 'networks' phenomenon and the relationships that are woven on the territory, including real case studies referring to the national and European context of transport, communication and energy networks, as well as those referring to cities as nodes in the local-global relations system. Concepts such as gravitation and spatial diffusion will be deepened, also with examples taken from recent national and international experiences (e.g. Covid-19 and territorial effects; geopolitical and geo-economic crises and reconfiguration of global networks). Key PointsThe course focuses on the role of networks in organizing and shaping the territory, particularly with regard to human settlements and economic activities.It emphasizes the diverse forms and impacts of networks on society, highlighting their significance in facilitating interactions, flows, and development.The course introduces key concepts such as gravitation, spatial diffusion, and network analysis, providing a framework for understanding the spatial organization effects of networks.It draws upon real-world examples from national and international contexts, including transport, communication, energy, and urban networks.The course explores the implications of recent events, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical crises, on network dynamics and territorial patterns.

Ex cathedra teaching; working groups in class. On-line seminars from experts from other universities / organizations. Thematic videos and presentations on course-related topics will be used for discussion in class.

Students attending the course will be asked to prepare a short essay on a topic related to the course and defend it in a viva voce examination. It will represent the starting point for other questions on topics tackled during the course. Students not attending classes, will be asked to prepare the exam studying from the reference books.

This course explores topics closely related to one or more goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs). Geography deals with the human-environment relationship. So, the concept of Sustainability is rooted into the geographical thought and therefore all the aspects of sustainability finds room into geographical courses.