The course investigates urban phenomena, their transformations in developed and developing contemporary societies, paying particular attention to the debate on social inclusion in urban studies, the dynamics of inclusion/ exclusion, specific dimensions of social difference.

Knowledge and understanding of the urban phenomenon related to dynamics of inclusions/exclusion. Ability to analyze urban areas, policies and plans using both statistical data and qualitative methods.

There are no indispensable prerequisites. Some of the knowledge gained in higher education is useful, especially in history, philosophy, social sciences and statistics.

Theoretical lessons The first module of lessons (5 hours) has the aim of explaining the keywords of the debate on social inclusion in urban studies. In particular, some fundamental concepts frequently used in current literature will be analyzed and compared: inclusion, integration, social cohesion, conflict, marginalization, discrimination, expulsion, polarization, segregation. The second module (20 hours) is dedicated to the analysis of the processes concerning contemporary metropolitan systems with reference to dynamics of inclusion/ exclusion. Different types of processes occurring in different areas of social life will be taken into consideration; in particular: - housing; - public space, culture, art, sports, leisure; - food system; - access and mobility aspects; - community facilities and welfare - citizens’ participation and subsidiarity between groups of citizens and institutions. Particular attention will be paid to understand how specific dimensions of social difference (including race, class, religion, income, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability) are implicated in processes and experiences of exclusion and inclusion. With reference to each area, possible guidelines for urban planning and policies will be analyzed. The third module (10 hours) is dedicated to an introduction to some fundamental methods for the empirical analysis of social phenomena in urban space, with particular emphasis on qualitative methodologies (interviews, focus groups, observation), tools for the analysis of urban processes, technics for the improvement of citizens’ participation In addition to the frontal lessons, the following activities will be carried out: - seminars with the intervention of external experts on specific topics (5 hours); - individual exercise: critical analysis of a recent article (10 hours); - group exercise: analysis of good practices on the territory (10 hours).

In addition to lessons, the course provides an optional exercise aimed to the comparison of different cities or neighborhoods, using statistical data and qualitative information on urban policies and projects.

Useful texts and bibliography will be communicated at the beginning of the course

Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

... The final assessment will take into consideration the global performance of each student in the following ways: Oral exam on the contents of theoretical lessons (three questions for each student regarding the topics of the three modules); Evaluation of the performance in the individual exercise; Evaluation of the individual contribution to group exercise. The oral exam weighs 60% on the total evaluation; exercises weigh 40%. The students that cannot attend the course and do group exercise will receive an additional text to study and comment during the oral exam.

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.