Geography of Europe
Objectives
a)To understand the processes of space-time integration, identity construction and fragmentation of Europe
b) To evaluate the importance of the spatial dimension in the evolution of the political map of Europe
c)To interpret the evolution of European landscapes considering the interaction between the natural environment and human activities
d)To know the evolution of the economic and political blocs of Europe in the post-II WW
e)To characterize the main stages of evolution of the EEC/EU
f) To characterize the key EU policies and respective instruments
g) To know the EU objectives for 2030 and Portugal 2030 Strategy
h) To recognize the European diversity in population, economy and culture
i) To recognize the importance of networks (transports, energy, urban linkages,…) in building the European identity and diversity
j) To develop a critical thinking on European and EU issues
k)To prepare reports (analysis, diagnosis and prospective) on European issues in a geographic perspective.
General characterization
Code
01100736
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
José Afonso Teixeira
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 168
Teaching language
Portuguese
Prerequisites
N/A
Bibliography
- Adoumié, V. (dir.) (2013). Géographie de l’Europe. Hachette Supérieur.
- Azcárate Luxán, M. V. & Sánchez Sánchez, J. (2013). Geografía de Europa. UNED.
- Febvre, L. (1999). A Europa: génese de uma civilização. Editorial Teorema.
- Jenkins, S. (2020). Breve história da Europa. De Pericles a Putin. Ed. Presença.
- López-Palomeque, F. & Plaza, I. (coord.) (2019). Geografía de Europa estructuras, procesos y dinámicas territoriales. PUV.
- Murphy, A. B., Bychkov, T. G., Jordan, B. B. (2014). The European Culture Area: A Systematic Geography (6th ed.).
- Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
- Ostergren, R.C. & Le Bossé, M. (2011). The Europeans: A Geography of people, culture and environment (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
- Steiner, G. (2004). A ideia de Europa. Gradiva.
- Tavares, J. (2019). A Europa não é um país estrangeiro. FFMS.
- Vandermotten, C & Dézert, B. (2008). L’identité de l’Europe. Histoire et géographie d’une quête d’unité. Armand Colin.
Teaching method
Lectures: extensive explanation of program topics; analysis and discussion of textbooks´ chapters and papers. Development, presentation and discussion of a practical work.
Evaluation method
Continuous assessment - 1) Written tests about a set of selected texts (30%+30%)(60%), 2) Practical group work with an intermediate assessment, report and oral presentation(35%), 3) Class attendance and participation in discussions(5%)
Subject matter
1) Europe: the significance of its historical limits, territorial unity and diversity, position in the world
2) Natural geographical environment: geomorphological and bioclimatic diversity
3) Evolution of the political map: unification processes; nations without state; political systems
4) Integration processes within Europe: EEC / EU, EFTA; COMECON
5) From the EEC to the EU: treaties; enlargements; institutions; policies and financing instruments
6) Population, society, culture: demographic dynamics; ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity; human capital
7) Economic activities: the rural spaces and the reorientation of agricultural systems; deindustrialization, tertiarization or servindustrialization of the economies?
8) European networks of transport and energy;international relations
9) Cities and urban systems
10) Regions in decline and emerging territories. Cohesion or territorial fragmentation?
11) Conflicts and crises in Europe today: The EU and Europe - what prospects?