2026

Geographical Thinking

Name: Geographical Thinking
Code: PAO15298L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area: Geography

Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Sustainable Development Goals

Learning Goals

Comprehensive and integrated understanding of the evolution of the main theories, concepts and perspectives of geography and their social utility. In Geographical Thinking, students will develop the following set of knowledge, skills and competences:
Knowledge
1. Understand the role of geography as a hinge discipline between the earth sciences and the social and human sciences;
2. Identify the main moments in the evolution of international and national geographical thought and problematise its future;
3. Understand the social usefulness of geography, its specificities, and the institutional frameworks in which it operates and develops.
Skills and competences
4. Use geographical terms and concepts appropriately, taking into account the theoretical frameworks of reference;
5. Problematise geographical issues through observation and reading;
6. Develop a spirit of initiative and the ability to work independently, individually and as part of a team.

Contents

1. Geography: theory, object and method
2. Geographical thought: evolution, debates and controversies
2.1 Pre-modern geography: classical antiquity, Renaissance and Enlightenment
2.2 The emergence of modern geography: scientific and disciplinary institutionalisation
2.3 The regional perspective
2.4 The ?new geography?: quantitative revolution and spatial science
2.5 Humanist geographies
2.6 Radical geography
2.7 Feminist geographies: gender and sexuality
2.8 Post-colonial geographies, ethnicity and race
3. Portuguese geography: themes and protagonists
4. The future of geography: challenges and opportunities

Teaching Methods

Based on an active teaching-learning methodology, Geographical Thinking works on the basis of a real-world approach, favouring a diversified, eminently practical and integrative approach to the topics covered, which will enable students to acquire essential scientific knowledge and develop their research skills and competences. Throughout the lessons, students will carry out group work focusing on the protagonists (international and national) of contemporary geography, produce a study visit assignment and individual tests.

Assessment

Continuous assessment
- Two group assignments (25% + 25%) [written document 15% + oral presentation
10%]
- Individual test (30%)
- Work to be done on the study visit (15%)
- Classroom performance (5%)
Final assessment
- Individual test (70%)
- Oral exam (30%)