Rural Dynamics in the European Union

Code:

GEOGR013

Acronym:

DRUE

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Geography

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geography
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Geography

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
GEOGR	40	study plan	2	-	6	41	162
			3

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

- To recall and integrate fundamental knowledge on aspects of the rural world from an interdisciplinary approach. - Research, process and interpret the main sources of information used in the analysis of rural spaces, particularly statistical, documental and bibliographic information. - Apprehend the typological diversity of European rural spaces, problematic yet diversified spaces, which are tending towards multifunctional approaches. - Understand the importance of the mixed farming and forestry sector in the European/world context. -Identify the characteristics of the territories studied, their particularities and problems. -Develop competences in defining sustainable intervention strategies in these spaces. -Question the sustainability/revitalisation of European rural spaces from the perspective of the integrated planning based on critical reflection.
-Develop team work, share ideas, methods and strategies, in an environment of interactivity, with a view to developing competences in defining intervention strategies at different scales.

Learning outcomes and competences

- Seizure of methodologies and fundamental theoretical frameworks within ruralities an interdisciplinary approach.

- Search, process and interpret the main sources of information used in the analysis of rural areas (statistical information, documents, literature ...)

- Knowledge of the typological diversity of European rural areas, its potential and problems

- The importance of the multifunctionality of European rural areas

- Perception of the importance of the agricultural and forestry sector in the European / global context

- Identification of the characteristics of those territories, their foundations and problems.

- Develop skills aimed at defining sustainable intervention strategies in these spaces.

- Questioning the sustainability / revitalization of European rural areas in an integrated spatial perspective these spaces in a reflective and critical alignment.

- Team work, group work, sharing ideas, methods and strategies, a large interactive environment, viewing develop skills aimed at defining intervention strategies at different scales.

Working method

Presencial

Program

 1- The European Space: brief framing notes

 1.1 The main organizational features of Europe

1.2- A distinctive natural setting

 1.3- The plurality of natural units and their problems

 1.4- The trilogy demographic trends / economic development / environmental impacts

 1.5- The CAP: its economic and social consequences

2- The diversity of problems in European rural areas in the XXI century

 2.1 The heterogeneity of production systems and rural landscapes

2.2- The functional changes of rural areas: the emergence of multifunctionality and the commitment to sustainability

 2.3 Public authorities and the reorganization / revitalization of rural areas

3. The multiplicity of rural areas and their dynamics: the new challenges

 3.1- Western Europe and North: high productivity and sustainability (the case of the Netherlands)

 3.2 Europe Mediterranean: diversity and need for profound metamorphoses (the case of Greece)

 3.3- Eastern Europe: transition to a new paradigm

 4- The importance of EU agriculture in the European context

Mandatory literature

CORDOVIL, F. et all.; A Política Agrícola e Rural Comum e a União Europeia - factos e políticas, futuro e opções, Principia, Estoril, 2004
CHALÉARD; J.L.; CHARVET, J.P.; Géographie Agricole et Rurale, Belin, Paris, 2004
GONZALO, M.;VELARDE FUENTES, J.; Reforma de la PAC y Agenda 2000. Nuevas agriculturas, M.A.P.A., Série Estúdios, Madrid, 2000
GAUTIER, A.; La construction europeénne: étapes et enjeux, Breál, Paris, 1999
STANNERS, D.; BOURDEAU, P.;; Europ's Environment, European Environment Agency, 1995
WOODS, M.; Rural Geography, Sage Publications, London, 2005
EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT AGENCY; Environment in the European Union at the turn of the century, Copenhaga, 1999
Comissão das Comunidades Europeias; The social situation in the European Union, Bruxelas, 2003
RENARD, J.; Les mutations dés campagnes. Paysages et structures agraires, Armand Colin, Paris, 2002
EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT AGENCY; Environmental signals 2002, Copenhaga, 2002
HAUBERT, M.; L'avenir des paysans - les mutations de agricultures dans les pays du Sud, PUF, paris, 1999
KAZAKOPOULOS, L.; GIDARAKOU, I.; Young women farm head in Greek agriculture: entering farming throug policy incentives, Elsevier Science Lda., London, 2003
PINHEIRO, A.; CARVALHO, M.;; Economia e política agrícolas, Ed. Sílabo, Lisboa, 2003
EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT AGENCY; Europe's environment - the fourth assessment, Copenhaga, 2007

Complementary Bibliography

BOYER, J.C.; Pays-Bas, Belgique, Luxembourg, Masson, Paris, 1997
Comissão das Comunidades Europeias; Communication de la Commission au Conseil-Project de repport conjoint sur l'emploi, Bruxelas, 2004
Comissão das Comunidades Europeias; La mujer en la agricultura, Luxemburgo, 2002
INDRIO, F.; Agricultura biológica, Publicações Europa-América, Mem Martins, s/d

Teaching methods and learning activities

- Theoretical and practical classes. - Theoretical contents will be presented using audiovisual aids; a constructive learning environment will be fostered. - Practical classes in which students can apply the knowledge acquired and in work groups. - The assignments aim to explore different subjects and the most pressing problems of the European rural areas, focusing on new strategies to implement and their consequences. Assignments are based on fieldwork and tutorials. -The student will acquire methodological, technical, scientific and relational skills in order to develop a project, questioning reality and being propositive in resolving/minimising the various problems of rural areas.

Software

Microsoft office Word
Microsoft office Excel

keywords

Social sciences > Geography > Social geography
Social sciences > Geography > Economic geography
Social sciences > Economics > Agrarian Sciences
Social sciences > Economics > Economics of development > Rural development
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Natural resources management

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Participação presencial	5,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	5,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	30,00
Estudo autónomo	46,00
Frequência das aulas	41,00
Trabalho de investigação	40,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	5,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Minimum of 75% of class attendance, except in the cases foreseen in the regulations in force The student must obtain a grade of at least 9.5 to pass the subject. Attendance is compulsory in both theoretical, practical classes, and is an integral part of assessment.

Calculation formula of final grade

Minimum of 75% of class attendance, except in the cases foreseen in the regulations in force Final marks result from the exam on theoretical contents, together with marks obtained in the practical assignment. The practical marks will only be considered if the students pass the theoretical part. The practical part includes fieldwork. The final average mark will be calculated as follows: - Theoretical component: 60% - Practical component:pratical work (report, Oral presentation, debate) 30% -  poster and participation: 10%

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Não se aplica.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

- Student workers have to do a practical assignment as part of their assessment, under tutorial supervision.

Classification improvement

Assessment component susceptible to appeal and assessment improvement: theoretical part.

Observations

Language of Instruction: Portuguese Bibliography: English, French, Spanish and Portuguese