2026

Political Geography

Name: Political Geography
Code: PAO15308L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area: Geography

Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Sustainable Development Goals

Learning Goals

Knowledge:

1. Understand the main debates and theoretical developments in the field of political geography and geopolitics;
2. Mobilize the key concepts and the main analytical tools to investigate concrete examples from the contemporary world;
3. Understand the geographical expression of power relations and the role of space in their reconfiguration.

Skills and competences:

4. Organize and manage individual and group work processes appropriately;
5. Develop the ability to actively read texts and think critically within the framework of political geography;
6. Discuss ideas and communicate research results.

Contents

1. Politics, Geography and Political Geography
2. State formation
3. From the Welfare State to Workfare
4. Democracy, Citizenship and Elections
5. Politics and the City
6. Identity Politics and Social Movements
7. Nationalism and Regionalism
8. Imperialism and Postcolonialism
9. Geopolitics and Anti-Geopolitics
10. Political Geography in Portugal

Teaching Methods

Political Geography will work 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 lectures, students will be exposed to the main debates, concepts and challenges of contemporary political geography and invited to actively participate in the dynamics of the classes by solving small individual and/or group activities. There will also be two mini-tests focusing on eminently theoretical-conceptual aspects. In the theoretical-practical classes, students will carry out thematic group work (problem-based learning model) and individually present a scientific article orally. There will also be a one-day thematic study visit.

Assessment

Continuous assessment

- Two group assignments (20% + 20%)
- Two individual mini-tests (20% + 20%)
- Individual oral presentation (10%)
- Classroom performance (10%)

Final assessment
- Individual test (70%)
- Oral exam (30%)
- Oral exam (30%)