2026
Introduction to Human Geography
Name: Introduction to Human Geography
Code: PAO15303L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Geography
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Positioning HG in the context of Geography
? Identify and discuss the diversity of relationships between the planet and the world
? Debate the scientific, professional and ethical value of Geography.
II. Analysing the perspectives of HG
? Understand fundamental theories, concepts and methods
? Apply concepts to structuring phenomena by interconnecting their scales
? Apply the concepts with the greatest current significance by interconnecting their scales
? Discuss factors and forms of spatial organisation
? Reflect on the effects of power on the configuration of territories
iii. Produce spatial analyses and syntheses from a HG perspective
? Training direct observation on a field trip applied to a case study
? Combine the space-time dimension for understanding phenomena and processes
? Articulate, compare and interpret different scales
? - Organising and synthesising statistical, documentary and cartographic sources
? Identify and discuss the diversity of relationships between the planet and the world
? Debate the scientific, professional and ethical value of Geography.
II. Analysing the perspectives of HG
? Understand fundamental theories, concepts and methods
? Apply concepts to structuring phenomena by interconnecting their scales
? Apply the concepts with the greatest current significance by interconnecting their scales
? Discuss factors and forms of spatial organisation
? Reflect on the effects of power on the configuration of territories
iii. Produce spatial analyses and syntheses from a HG perspective
? Training direct observation on a field trip applied to a case study
? Combine the space-time dimension for understanding phenomena and processes
? Articulate, compare and interpret different scales
? - Organising and synthesising statistical, documentary and cartographic sources
Contents
1. GH in the context of science
1.1 Diversity of the planet and ways of life
1.2 Evolution of geographical thought
1.3 Scientific, professional and ethical positioning
2. Fundamentals of GH
2.1 Essential concepts, processes, methods and relationships
2.2 Structuring topics
2.3 Contemporary subjects
3. Organisation of geographical space
3.1 Humanised space, resources and sustainable development
3.2 Populated space, population distribution and concentration
3.3 Political space, power and governance
1.1 Diversity of the planet and ways of life
1.2 Evolution of geographical thought
1.3 Scientific, professional and ethical positioning
2. Fundamentals of GH
2.1 Essential concepts, processes, methods and relationships
2.2 Structuring topics
2.3 Contemporary subjects
3. Organisation of geographical space
3.1 Humanised space, resources and sustainable development
3.2 Populated space, population distribution and concentration
3.3 Political space, power and governance
Teaching Methods
Teaching and learning methodologies include the presentation and discussion of theoretical concepts using texts, applying them to practical examples, frequently using the geographies of everyday life, linking new knowledge to the multiplicity of the students? experiences. To this end, individual and co-operative debates and application exercises are promoted, based on real situations/problems or using simulations. These exercises follow the methodologies of problem-based learning and are developed in during the approach to the topics, with the aim of encouraging critical reading, autonomous research and the constant articulation between theory and practice.
Group work (applied with project-based learning methodologies) articulates the objectives with the curricula and is carried out outside of class, presupposing a field trip to training fieldwork skills.
Group work (applied with project-based learning methodologies) articulates the objectives with the curricula and is carried out outside of class, presupposing a field trip to training fieldwork skills.
Assessment
Continuous evaluation will be made up of a) an individual test (60%), b) group work to be carried out following the field trip comprising: discussion of the work program; oral presentation; and written report (30%); c) participation in debates when presenting the work of all the groups (10%). The parameters of the evaluation are presented, discussed and agreed with the classes.
Final evaluation ? exam 100%
Final evaluation ? exam 100%
Accreditations and Certifications
