Geography of Catalonia
Code: 101610 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2501002 Geography and Spatial Planning | OB | 2 | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Pau Alegre Nadal
- Email:
- Pau.Alegre@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- Yes
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- No
Prerequisites
Without prerequisites
Objectives and Contextualisation
The aim of the subject is to show different ways of understanding the relationship between society, territory and environment in Catalonia through the succession of cartographic and textual interpretations produced from the seventeenth century to the present. Through the observation and analysis of this geographical, statistical and written documentation, we propose:
- develop scientific and critical reasoning in relation to the territory of Catalonia;
- analyze the interrelation between the physical environment and society in Catalonia;
- interpret the distribution of people, activities and flows generated in Catalonia;
- assess the conditioning factors, impacts and environmental risks that derive from the relations between society and the environment in Catalonia;
- get a direct knowledge of Catalonia from field trips;
- initiate and deepen the knowledge of the basic texts on geography of Catalonia
- know the maps and the most significant Earth observation images of the territory of Catalonia.
For a good use of the subject it is advisable not to lose sight of the knowledge of all the compulsory subjects of the degree of Geography, Environment and Territorial Planning taken during the first and current courses.
Competences
- Developing critical thinking and reasoning and communicating them effectively both in your own and other languages.
- Identifying the spatial relationships on different territorial levels through the relationships between nature and society through time dimension.
- Mastering the necessary theoretical knowledge in order to pose geographical problems in an integrated way and combining a generalist approach with a specialised analysis.
- Producing innovative and competitive proposals in research and professional activity.
- Respecting the diversity and plurality of ideas, people and situations.
- Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
- Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
Learning Outcomes
- Analysing the main dynamics of today's world from a geographical point of view.
- Contrasting and comparing relevant geographical data.
- Describing spatial relationships of the physical, economic, social and cultural diversity of territories on different territorial scales.
- Drawing up innovative proposals.
- Engaging in geographical debates respecting the other participants' opinions.
- Identifying the ideas and expressing them in various languages with linguistic correctness.
- Posing problems about physical, economic, social and cultural diversity of territories applying knowledge of regional geography.
- Summarising acquired knowledge about the origin and transformations experienced in its several fields of study.
Content
As it has been previously advanced, the guiding thread of the chronological development of the subject will be that of the graphic documentation (maps and images) of the territory of Catalonia and previous studies (diverse bibliography) about the society that inhabits since the Middle Ages since. Together with the explanation of the development of the graphic and textual interpretations, the study of Knowledge and Elements of reflecting on the sectoral themes will be introduced.:
- The physical and environmental framework as a scenario, resource, impact and risk.
- Evolution of population, dynamics and demographic structure. Migrations
- Rural Catalonia: between the Mediterranean tradition and agro-industry.
- The industrialization of Catalonia: an old debate about origins and changes.
- Tourism and its overwhelming impact on the territory.
- The population and the urban system. The territorial organization of Catalonia.
- Territorial and environmental conflicts.
- History of geography to, and of, Catalonia.
Methodology
The contents of the subject will be developed through the following activities:
· Follow-up of the topics covered in the course
· Reading of books and articles
· Practices and jobs
· Field trips
The face-to-face explanations of the professors will be summarized in a PDF document for each session, which will be available to all students. Each session will end with a short exercise proposal, which can be done in the classroom itself or, if it is longer, it can be completed at home within a deadline to be determined in each case. The aspects to be treated in these exercises will be related to the sectoral issues listed in the previous section. An examination will also be carried out to assess the degree of study and use of the bibliography.
Two field study are planned. One, to observe the Acequia de Manresa in several sections of its route between Balsareny and the Aguja Park in the capital of Bages. The other, in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, to get to know the metropolitan environment first-hand. The respective dates are still to be specified.
The familiarization of the students with the graphic materials that constitute the expository axis of the subject will be proven through their participation in weekly forums.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Exercices | 50 | 2 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 5, 7, 4, 8 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Forums | 50 | 2 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 5, 7, 4, 8 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Field work | 50 | 2 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 5, 7, 4, 8 |
Assessment
The follow-up of the development of the course gives rise to the continuous evaluation. The teachers will appreciate its normal and gradual use in three aspects. First (1), for the ability to improve quality in carrying out the exercises proposed in the sessions. Secondly (2), for their participation in the forums and the memories of the study outputs. And in third place (3), for the results of the exam.
The positive use in the mentioned slopes will give rise to a final qualification that can vary from the approved to the excellent one.
How will normal use be valued? As we have advanced above, for the ability to overcome the quality of the exercises proposed in each of the sessions. Regarding the participation in the forums, we will retain the interest, conciseness and originality of the contribution. Obviously, great as the contributions are, they can not be sporadic. To overcome this criterion, it will be necessary to intervene in all forums, except two. Of course, you can participate in all forums that are open, but we think it is advisable to warn that an excess of participations will not necessarily compensate the quality evidenced. It's about ensuring a rhythm, even with gaps, avoiding last minute slides.
As you can see, the assessment of the normal follow-up of the course will be based on the degree of continuity of communication between student and teacher. An insufficient number of participations in the forums and deliveries of exercises, will cause the evaluation of the student as not evaluable. In this situation, the student will not be able to take the recovery exam, precisely because he / she could not be evaluated. On the other hand, students who wish to improve the grade obtained during the continuous assessment, may also take the recovery exam.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 30.0% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 5, 7, 4, 8 |
| Exercices | 40.0% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 5, 7, 4, 8 |
| Forums | 30.0% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 5, 7, 4, 8 |
Bibliography
Some general titles for students who want to advance work:
AJENJO, Marc et al. (1998). La població de Catalunya, 1986-1991. Barcelona, Generalitat de Catalunya.
DOMINGO, Andreu (2014). Catalunya al mirall de la immigració. Demografia i identitat nacional. Barcelona, L’Avenç.
FOLCH, Ramon i altres (Coords.) (2018). Natura, ús o abús. Llibre blanc de la gestió de la natura als Països Catalans. Barcelona, Institució Catalana d’Història Natural / Barcino (3a edició).
FONT, Jaume (1999). La formació de les xarxes de transport a Catalunya (1761-1935). Vilassar de Mar, Oikos-Tau.
MAJORAL, Roser [coord.] (2002). Catalunya: un anàlisis territorial. Barcelona, Ariel.
NEL·LO, Oriol [ed.] (2003). Aquí, no! Els conflictes territorials a Catalunya. Barcelona, Empúries.
PANAREDA, Josep M. (1996) Resum de Geografia Física de Catalunya, Vic, Eumo.
PUJADAS, Isabel; MENDIZÀBAL, Enric (1991). La població de Catalunya 1975-1986: de l'explosió demogràfica al creixement zero. Barcelona, Generalitat de Catalunya.
TORT, Joan (2002) Perquè Catalunya és com és. Trenta-dues preguntes per descobrir la geografia del Principat. Barcelona, Edicions 62.
VILAGRASA, Joan [coord.] (2000). Transformacions territorials a Catalunya (segles XIX-XX). Lleida, Pagès Editors.
The full bibliography of the subject will be presented at the beginning of the semester classes.