2026
Challenges of the Contemporary World
Name: Challenges of the Contemporary World
Code: PAO15299L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Geography
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Geography is a dynamic discipline that adapts its orientation and concerns in response to pressures in the real world and debates within the discipline. The aim is to help students understand the
changes taking place in the contemporary world and the debates that these changes give rise to. And to understand the major issues facing Geography, and the reasons why different geographical approaches are necessary and complementary. From a geographical perspective, the processes of change on a global scale are analysed, as are their interconnections and how they determine the changes we are witnessing and which affect us on a regional and local scale.
Students should get to know and understand
1. The major phenomena of change on a global scale
2. The links and cause and effect relationships between them
3. The dynamic dimension of these processes
4. The importance of these processes for change on a regional and local scale
5. The geographical perspective on processes of change
changes taking place in the contemporary world and the debates that these changes give rise to. And to understand the major issues facing Geography, and the reasons why different geographical approaches are necessary and complementary. From a geographical perspective, the processes of change on a global scale are analysed, as are their interconnections and how they determine the changes we are witnessing and which affect us on a regional and local scale.
Students should get to know and understand
1. The major phenomena of change on a global scale
2. The links and cause and effect relationships between them
3. The dynamic dimension of these processes
4. The importance of these processes for change on a regional and local scale
5. The geographical perspective on processes of change
Contents
a) How the global works and the links between the global and the local. The geographical view of the local-global relationship and the changes taking place. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how they relate to the themes of this CU.
b) The international division of labour and gender inequalities. Decent work and economic growth. New labour dynamics and challenges.
c) Sustainable cities and communities. Urbanisation and green cities. Urban planning for the future, urban governance, innovation and technology.
d) Global economic inequalities in historical perspective. Proposals for a less unequal future.
e) Climate change: known scenarios of change and expected impacts; adaptation and mitigation.
f) The limits of natural resources, environmental degradation and recovery.
g) The transformation of land use and landscape.
h) Transitions in society, the associated long-term changes and patterns of resource use.
b) The international division of labour and gender inequalities. Decent work and economic growth. New labour dynamics and challenges.
c) Sustainable cities and communities. Urbanisation and green cities. Urban planning for the future, urban governance, innovation and technology.
d) Global economic inequalities in historical perspective. Proposals for a less unequal future.
e) Climate change: known scenarios of change and expected impacts; adaptation and mitigation.
f) The limits of natural resources, environmental degradation and recovery.
g) The transformation of land use and landscape.
h) Transitions in society, the associated long-term changes and patterns of resource use.
Teaching Methods
Co-ordination by a small group of teachers with a degree in Geography, who ensure the coherence of the topics taught and the geographical view of them. The lecturers present their scientific knowledge of the topic and their up-to-date analysis of it.
Students are expected to participate in class. For each topic, they carry out documentary research and present their analysis of the issues discussed and how they affect the dynamics of territories, populations and economic activities in the region in which they live or know best.
Students carry out group and individual work.
Participation in conferences or public debates, and the review of news articles on the themes of the programme or the theme selected each year, is encouraged.
Students are expected to participate in class. For each topic, they carry out documentary research and present their analysis of the issues discussed and how they affect the dynamics of territories, populations and economic activities in the region in which they live or know best.
Students carry out group and individual work.
Participation in conferences or public debates, and the review of news articles on the themes of the programme or the theme selected each year, is encouraged.
Assessment
Continuous assessment:
2 group essays worth 10% each = 20%
1 group report on the 1st study visit = 10%
1 group review = 10%
1 individual essay = 30%
1 individual oral presentation with discussion = 30%
Final assessment:
1 individual exam with multiple choice questions - 50%
1 individual thematic essay - 50%
2 group essays worth 10% each = 20%
1 group report on the 1st study visit = 10%
1 group review = 10%
1 individual essay = 30%
1 individual oral presentation with discussion = 30%
Final assessment:
1 individual exam with multiple choice questions - 50%
1 individual thematic essay - 50%
Accreditations and Certifications
