The course objectives are in line with the bachelor degree ones, aiming to provide students with adequate knowledge tools to address and solve complex issues such as those related to global changes that affect various disciplinary fields and can impact natural resources and the environmental sector, as well as lead to further social, economic, and technological implications.
In particular the course of Economic is aimed at reaching the following objectives.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Know the main elements characterizing space and the social, economical and environmental space
Know the main instruments used by 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 sciences and the other ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ sciences.
Understand the importance of space in human decisions
Understand the importance of spatial thinking
Understand the benefits and limitations of models used in economic geography to represent and analyse the geographical realm.
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 choices over the geographical space.
Use geographical instruments to represent, analyze, understand and present reality.
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.

No prereriqusites.

The course is aimed at providing a geographical and holistic framework to the complexity of the global changes ongoing on our Planet Earth, allowing students to relate human-related and natural events to the geographical space, linking together expertise and knowledge from different disciplines. Central in geographical studies is the human-environment relationship that, within the course, will be presented taking into account the challenges related to global and local changes. Changes will be examined within a multiscale approach, allowing to connect the local scale and the global one, through the regional and system analysis. An attention will be given to the importance of cities in the organization of the geographical space, and as places where, at present, challenges to economical and ecological ecosystems are put. The course is in particular focused on the topics dealing with "Resources and global changes"

Materials – Powerpoint presentations, key articles, case studies materials - will be made available throughout the course and delivered by means of the Moodle and Teams platforms.

The course is organized in a macro module: Resources and global changes Resources and global changes. Geography. The human-environment relationship; The Region in Geography; Introduction to geographical analysis; The representations of environment and space: cartography and Geographic Information; Resources: the classification of resources; the new resources. The management of resources and common goods; The consequences and replies to global change in a geographical perspective. Sustainable Development: yesterday and today; Human geography and population: The population on the Earth, patterns and development; The ongoing changes. Geoeconomic and geopolitical issues. Transport systems and global changes in action. Focus on international and local transport networks. A focus on Geographical Instruments to tackle spatial-related topic will be performed, with examples and tests using Geographical Information Systems, Virtual Globes or other Geographical analytical tools and instruments.

Classroom lessons
Ex cathedra teaching
Classroom discussion
Classrooms will be implemented with seminars and classes (remote and in presence), also with the participation of colleagues and experts from other universities and organizations.
Materials will be made available also through digital platforms as video and multimedia presentations.

Students will be asked to realize an individual project on a selected topic tackled during the course. The topic can be one not necessarily tackled in class, but relevant in geographical terms. The project can be realized as a 10-15 page essay, discussed during the oral examination, accompanied by a presentation (in form of either a powerpoint, prezi or storymap presentation, or just in form of a viva voce discussion). The presentation of the individual project will represent an occasion for a discussion on the major topics presented in class, with questions from the two modules (‘Resources and global changes’ and ‘Smart and Sustainable Cities’).
During an oral examination the typical timeframe is around 15 to 20 minutes per person. Marks are expressed in */30. A minimum of 18/30 mark will mean the exam is passed. 30/30 represent the highest marks. Brilliant presentations can be awarded of the ‘cum laude’ recognition.

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.