The course introduces students to the analysis of the relations between social phenomena and the territory, placing them in the framework of the broader processes of transformation of the contemporary social and economic system accelerated by the convergence of different interacting crisis dynamics: environmental, political and economic. Particular space will be given to the environmental dimension of the sustainability of social systems and its implications in terms of distributive and procedural justice, thus orienting reflection towards the interpretation of the causes, risks and opportunities of the transition processes underway. The course therefore aims to provide students with the necessary competence to understand the relevance of the spatial, material and territorial component of social phenomena in determining both the causes and possible solutions of the contemporary crisis. In order to achieve this objective, the course first of all provides adequate knowledge of the main theoretical tools and an overview of the investigation methods that have been developed within the sociology of territory and the environment to observe and understand socio-territorial dynamics. Practical applications of both tools and methods will then be presented through a series of thematic insights that will familiarise with the explanatory potential of the territorialist approach, and with some of its limitations. The final practical exercise will complete the acquisition of skills.

The programme is divided into three parts 

The first part, to which the first two weeks of the course will be devoted, provides the basic elements on the main themes, analytical tools and methods of the sociology of the territory 
- A conceptual glossary: spaces, places, territories
- The process of urbanisation: city-countryside and centre-periphery divide, peri-urban, suburban, and territorial inequalities...
- Relations between social and ecological systems: urban and social metabolism
- Governing territories: policies, systems and multi-level-governance
- Describing and analysing territories: data and participatory methods

In the second part, the analytical tools will be applied to three thematic insights to which the following three weeks of the course will be devoted
1. Policies and interventions for sustainable local development: structural funds, cohesion policies and territorial strategies
3. Ecological transition: environmental justice and territorial conflicts
4. Energy transition and territory: renewable energy communities  

The last part is dedicated to the preparation of a paper. Students will be asked to produce an original reflection by critically applying the analytical tools they have learnt to a case study related to one of the thematic insights. Students will be given the opportunity to develop the paper on other topics of their interest.

None

- Applied knowledge and understanding: The course aims to introduce students to the main conceptual tools and methods of territorial sociology to enable them to understand the relationships between social phenomena and the territory, with particular attention to the implications on the sustainability of the contemporary socio-economic model. The course is designed in such a way as to combine a solid theoretical preparation with the possibility of acquiring the practice of sociological territorial analysis through in-depth thematic studies and exercises.     

- Autonomy of judgement: students are expected to develop the ability to critically analyse the phenomena discussed in class through the integrated use of the conceptual tools presented in class. The ability to connect the different concepts in order to compose an effective analytical framework is indeed crucial for the reading of complex territorial phenomena     

- Communication skills: students will be required to train their written and oral exposition skills through the opportunities for structured discussion in the classroom and in the preparation and presentation of the final paper. 

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

The course consists of lectures, seminar activities and practices

The first part will consist of lectures alternating with rooms saved for structured discussion on the topics covered and recommended readings

The second part will see, in addition to frontal lectures introducing the topic and critical analysis, a seminar part through the involvement of experts

The third part will be entirely workshop-based, with classroom activities to support the preparation of the paper 

Attendance

At least 3/4 lectures

Course books

A) For attendees opting for the preparation of the final paper
slides and materials uploaded on on Moodle during the course

B) For attendees who decide not to prepare the final paper:

- Osti, G. (2010) Sociologia del Territorio. Bologna: Il Mulino

- Capitolo 3 - Forme urbane ed eco- compatibilità e Capitolo 5 - Giustizia, Ambiente, Spazio in Carrosio G., Landi A. (2024) Spazio, Ambiente e Territorio, Carocci

- Slides and materials uploaded by the professor on Moodle during the course

Assessment

A) For attending students who opt to prepare the final paper: 
Presentation and discussion of the final paper.
Students will be required to illustrate the work making use of the analytical tools acquired during the course, and the lecturer reserves the right to check knowledge of the materials shared on Moodle .

B) For attending students who decide not to prepare the final paper:

Assessment of the proper learning and understanding of readings (text and materials shared on Moodle) and assessment of the ability to argument and create links among concepts. 

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Course books

A) Text books

Osti, G. (2010) Sociologia del Territorio. Bologna: Il Mulino

Carrosio G., Landi A. (2024) Spazio, Ambiente e Territorio, Carocci

B) Excerpts

Three chapters on your choice from Nuvolati G., D'Ovidio M. (2022) Temi e metodi per la Sociologia del territorio, UTET

Three items of your choice from Enciclopedia sociologica dei luoghi, a cura di G. Nuvolati, Ledizioni, Milano (Voll. 1, 2, 3 o 4, free downloadble ebook from the webiste of the publisher)

C) Slides and materials uploaded by the professor on Moodle during the course
 

Assessment

Assessment of the proper learning and understanding of readings (text and materials shared on Moodle) and assessment of the ability to argument and create links among concepts. 

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.