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Economics, Territory and Sustainability

Code: 104233
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Geography, Environmental Management and Regional Planning FB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Joan Carles Llurdés Coit
Email :
joancarles.llurdes@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is a 1st year subject, therefore no special prerequisite is required. It is recommended to be a little informed of national and international news, especially the economic, political, socia, territory and ecological news. In other words, read from time to time the general press, watch some TV shows, listen to some radio gatherings, social networks, etc. In addition, to take this subject you must have a command of Catalan and/or Spanish equal to or higher than level B2.

Objectives

Context:


In order to integrate knowledge of economics in relation to Geography, this subject has to be understood as another instrument for the interpretation of the territory, even if it does not seem so at first. That is why we try to maintain certain "bridges" with other subjects of the Degree Plan, such as: "Geographical views" (1st year), "Society, territory and environment in Catalonia" (2nd year), "Urban Policies: Housing, Neighbourhoods and Transport" (4th year) or "Geography of inequalities", "Local and territorial development" and "Cities, Globalization and Sustainability "(elective). You can see the more specific contents in the section "Contents".


The objectives are:

  1. To ensure that the student has a general vision of the chronological evolution of the main schools of thought, hand in hand with the ideas of their main authors, and their implications in the current economic policy.
  2. To ensure that the student to acquire the more economic terminology and some of the most used macroeconomic and microeconomic indicators to understand the economic news.
  3. To ensure that the student know how to identify and explain the main economic agents of a territory as well as the territorial impacts of economic processes.
  4. To ensure that the student has the ability to gather and interpret information of various types and backgrounds to be able to make judgments and reflections on relevant social, economic, ethical and ecological issues.
  5. To ensure that the the student can discuss in a critical spirit the relationship of society with the territory applying the conceptual and theoretical framework of Geography, in general, and of the economy in particular.
  6. To ensure that the student is able to integrate knowledge from various social and environmental disciplines in order to be able to describe and interpret the spatial dynamics linked to social, economic and environmental changes.
  7. To ensure that the student can identify the main and secondary ideas of a text, news, article, and express them correctly, formally and linguistically.

Learning outcomes

  • CM03 (Interpret information of different types and origins in order to make judgements that include a reflection on relevant economic and environmental issues of a social, economic, ethical and environmental nature.) Interpret information of different types and origins in order to make judgements that include a reflection on relevant economic and environmental issues of a social, economic, ethical and environmental nature.
  • KM04 (Distinguish the main regional and local economic systems, their historical development and their current situation.) Distinguish the main regional and local economic systems, their historical development and their current situation.
  • KM05 (Relate the main economic agents with the main political or institutional agents in the territorial planning process.) Relate the main economic agents with the main political or institutional agents in the territorial planning process.
  • KM06 (Identify the most basic economic terminology and some of the most widely used macro and microeconomic indicators in order to understand current economic affairs.) Identify the most basic economic terminology and some of the most widely used macro and microeconomic indicators in order to understand current economic affairs.
  • SM04 (Compare the different theoretical currents of economics.) Compare the different theoretical currents of economics.
  • SM05 (Understand the formation of the main existing economic systems.) Understand the formation of the main existing economic systems.

Contents

Contents:


This subject is an introduction to the basic concepts of economic analysis and to some of the implications of the economy, both territorially and from the point of view of sustainability.

More specifically, and after a first introductory block that focuses on the most immediate economic news and reflected by different media (basically social networks, digital press and some media),

the program of the subject is divided into a series of blocks whose content is structured around a few key and related concepts.


  • Block 1. An introduction -> What is the most talked about? And from what ideological position? What does "popular wisdom" or social networks tell us?
  • Block 2. Object of the economy -> What is it? Economy and ethics. Schools of economic thought. Current economic ideology.
  • Block 3. Economic system and functioning of the market -> Economic agents. Market economy and its operation. Alternative models.
  • Block 4. Rent -> Economic cycles. Distribution of income and inequalities. Public sector and monetary policies.
  • Block 5. Economy and territory -> Spaces of production and global consumption.
  • Block 6. The sustainability of the current economic model -> Growth and sustainable development. Economy of the common good, collaborative economy (or speculative?). The gender perspective in the economy. Externalities and ecological footprint.


Some of the key concepts that have to structure the contents of the subject are: money, market, competition, public debt, inflation, unemployment, need, social democracy, Gini coefficient, communism, inequality, energy poverty, wage poverty, vulnerability, globalization, happiness, well-being, gentrification, resort, slow philosophy, economy of the common good, sostenibility, decrease, platform economy, etc.


In the Moodle will publish a schedule that will indicate the dates of explanation of each block as well as the dates of delivery and completion of the different exercises that are part of the evaluation.


The language of the Moodle and of explanation in the classroom will be Catalan, this does not exclude that students can express themselves in Catalan or Spanish in the classroom and write their exercises in one or another language (for assessment exercises and in the case of students from other countries, another language may be used: English, French, Portuguese ...). The vehicular language specified in the Teaching Guide will have to coincide with the language of delivery of the course.


Finally, it will be necessary to ensure the use of non-sexist language, both by the teacher and the students, both in interventions in the classroom and in evaluation exercises. The UAB instructions for use may be helpful (see document "10 pistes per a un ús no sexista del llenguatge").

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Explanation of subject topics 41 1.64
Field trip (PCAM) 4 0.16
Monitoring of the economic news 15 0.6
Study work and individually tutored practices 25 1
Performing evaluation tasks 40 1.6
Study for the exams 20 0.8

The formative activities of this subject are the following:

  1. In the first place, through the directed activities, that is to say, the development of the agenda foreseen in face-to-face sessions included in the teaching calendar for the 1st semester.
  2. Second, with supervised activities through the monitoring of news and debates on economic news, at different scales. Likewise, there is a specific Instagram account of the subject that functions as a "repository" of diverse material that serves to introduce the explanation of the syllabus in each of the teaching sessions.
  3. Third, with autonomous activities, that is, everything that the student would have to do to prepare the subject. This includes the consultation of diverse material (eg. articles or other documents) available in the Moodle of the subject, as well as specialized bibliography, both the most general and the one that is punctually cited. It must be said that in this subject there are no Notes of Economics, strictu sensu, that can be published in the Moodle, but as will be seen throughout the semester the teaching will be done through presentations Prezi and brief "information pills" (in infographic format) as a conclusion and summary of what is explained. In a complementary way you can consult other manuals available in the market; there are many and some one are excellent.
  4. In fourth place, a field trip is made in coordination with other 1st year subjects "Geographical Visions" and "Introduction to Cartography"), will be applied the protocol of measures and good practices of the field trips. Most likely this field trip it will be at the beginning of October.
  5. Fifth, with evaluation activities (which are specified in the "Assessment" section).
  6. Also in the "Assessment" section, specific mention will be made of the issue of attendance.
  7. Finally, in order to promote the surveys among the students the teacher 15 minutes of a class will be reserved, within the timetable established by the centre/title, for the complementation by the students of the assessment surveys of the teaching staff's performance and the assessment of the subject
Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Exam (1) 20% 1.5 0.06 CM03, KM04, KM05, KM06, SM05
Exam (3) 20% 1.5 0.06 KM05, KM06
Exam (2) 20% 1.5 0.06 CM03, KM05, KM06
Compilation of news and articles 10% 0.5 0.02 CM03, KM04, KM05, KM06, SM05
Attendance / active participation 15% 0 0 CM03, KM04, KM05, KM06, SM04, SM05
Infographic 15% 0 0 CM03, KM04, KM06, SM04, SM05

The evaluation will be done continuously and the knowledge will be evaluated following the following criteria:

  1. One infographic with a weight of 15%. The exercise will be individual and they must be done outside the established teaching hours the teaching schedule; the reports will be deposited in the Moodle within approximately three weeks from its publication. Once the deadline is over, they can no longer be delivered (that is, exercises will not be accepted at the end of the course).
  2. An compilation of news and articles (from de digital media), with a weight of 10%. The exercise will be individual and they must be done outside the established teaching hours the teaching schedule; the reports will be deposited in the Moodle within approximately three weeks from its publication. Once the deadline is over, they can no longer be delivered (that is, exercises will not be accepted at the end of the course).
  3. Three exams whose weight is 20% each one (total 60%). The test will have a duration of 1:30h and will be done in the period of activities directed according to the academic calendar of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters (most likely the week of January 15-19, 2024). Most likely, one will be done per month (October, November and December or January 2025).
  4. Attendance at face-to-face teaching sessions and active participation will be equivalent to the remaining 15%. It is not mandatory but certain actions have also been planned to encourage it (control questions). Remember that this subject is FACE-TO-FACE.
  5. The final grade will be the sum of all these partial grades: 15 + 10 + 20 + 20 + 20 + 15 = 100
  6. If a student obtains a 4,9 as the final grade for continous assessment, this value will be rounded up to 5, and the student will not have to take de retake exam.


On the other hand, we must take into accountthe following aspects:


  1. For each evaluative activity, the procedureand date of revision of the notes will be informed. As a general rule it is usually one week after the note is published. After this period, there will be no possibility of revision.
  2. The absent exercises and / or exam will count as 0 (zero).
  3. Regarding the infographic, if it is not done it will count as 0 in the final grade (therefore, if it is not delivered it does not add up). The student must be aware of how far he wants to go
  4. Regarding the compilation of news and articles: that may not be made but like undelivered reports, it will count as 0 in the final grade (so if it is not done, it does not add up).
  5. The exams are MANDATORY. Erasmus students who request to take an exam early must present their professor with a written document from their home university justifying their request
  6. The student who has not taken the 3 exams will have a “Not Evaluable” grade.


Requirements to be evaluated:

  1. To obtain in the exam the minimum score equivalent to half of themaximum expected score.
  2. In the event that the above is not met, the student will not be able to compensate this grade with the sum of the remaining partial grades and must reportfor re-evaluation.


Re-evaluation process:

However, it must be taken into account that:


  1. At the time each assessment activity is conducted, the professor will inform the students (via Moodle) of the procedure and dat for the review of grades.
  2. In order to participate in the re-evaluation the student must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities whose weight equals a minimum of 2/3 of the total score.
  3. In order to participate in the re-evaluation the student must have obtained a minimum grade in the average of the subject of 3.5 (out of a maximum of 10 points).
  4. The infographic and the compilation of news and articles are left out of the recovery process (or is done when it is played or not done) and the attendance too. Both exercises do not \"recover\" because it is not "F" either (they have a grade that is added to the rest of the partial grades to set the final grade).
  5. Assessment exercises in which there have been irregularities (e.g. cheating on an exam, unauthorized use of AI, etc.) are not recoverable.
  6. The date of the re-evaluation will be decided within the period of the academic calendar of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.

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Single assessment option:

This course does not allow for a single final assessment.


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Finally:

  1. In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place.
  2. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.
  3. This subject allows the use of AI technologies as an integral part of the submitted work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution from the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection.The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade may be lowered, or the work may even be awarded a zero. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.

Bibliography

This subject does not include any mandatory bibliography. In any case, some references are recommended as a guide:


  • BAÑOS, Antoni (2012). Post economía. Hacia un capitalismo feudal, Barcelona, ed. Libros del Lince.
  • BERMEJO, Roberto (2023). Crisis del capitalismo. ¿Reforma o transición? Leioa: Universidad del Pais Vasco - Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Argitalpen Zerbitzua /Servicio Editorial.
  • CARRASCO, Cristina (2016). Sostenibilidad de la vida y ceguera patriarcal. Una reflexión necesaria, ATLÁNTICAS – Revista Internacional de Estudios Feministas, 2016, 1, 1, 34-57.
  • D’ALISA, Giacomo; Federico DEMARIA i Giorgos KALLIS (Editors) (2015). Decrecimiento. Vocabulario para una nueva era. Barcelona, ed. Icària.
  • De SEBASTIÁN, Luís (2007). Antologia breu de termes econòmics, Barcelona, ed. Cristianisme i Justícia.
  • EKAIZER, Ernesto (2012). Indecentes. Crónica de un atraco perfecto, Barcelona, ed. Espasa.
  • ESTEFANÍA, Joaquín (2003). La cara oculta de la prosperidad, Madrid, ed. Taurus.
  • ESTIVILL, Jordi i MIRÓ, Ivan (2020). L'economia social i solidària a Catalunya: fonaments teòrics i reptes estratègics, Barcelona, Icaria Editorial.
  • ETXEZARRETA, Mirem (2021). La mochila austriaca. Qué supone el modelo de pensiones e indemnizaciones de la derecha europea, Barcelona, Icaria Editorial.
  • FEDERICI, Silvia (2018). El patriarcado del salario. Críticas feministas al marxismo, Madrid, Traficantes de sueños.
  • FELBER, Christian (2014). L’economia del bé comú, Barcelona, Miret Editorial.
  • FLORES, María Victoria (2016). "La globalización como fenómeno político, económico y social", Orbis - Revista Científica Electrónica de Ciencias Humanas, vol. 34, pp. 26-41.
  • FUNDACIÓ "la Caixa". Observatori Social.
  • GALBRAITH, John. Kenneth i Nicole SALINGER (1980). Introducción a la economía, una guía para todos o casi, Barcelona, ed. Crítica.
  • GUIRONNET, Antoine i HALBERT, Ludovic (2023). L'empire urbain de la finance: pouvoirs et inégalités à l'ère du capitalisme de gestion d'actifs. Éditions Amsterdam.
  • HARVEY, David (2024). Espais del capitalisme global. Barcelona, ed. Virus.
  • HONORÉ, Carl (2019). Bolder. Making the most of longer lives, London, ed. Simon & Schuster.
  • INSTITUT METRÒPOLI. Butlletí mensual. UAB.
  • KALLIS, Giorgios (2018). Degrowth. The Economy: key Ideas, Newcastle upon Tyne, ed. Agenda Publishing.
  • KALLIS, Giorgios, et al. (2021). A favor del decrecimiento, Vilassar de Mar, Icaria Editorial.
  • KRUGMAN, Paul; Robin WELLS i Kathryn GRADDY (2013). Fonaments d’economia, Barcelona, ed. Reverte.
  • LATOUCHE, Serge (2014). Límite, Buenos Aires, ed. Adriana Hidalgo.
  • MANKIW, Nicholas Gregory (2002). Principios de Economía, ed. Mc Graw Hill.
  • MARÇAL, Katrine (2016). ¿Quién le hacía la cena a Adam Smith? Una historia de las mujeres y la economía, Madrid, Editorial Debate.
  • MARTINEZ ALIER, Joan i Jordi ROCA. (2001), Economía ecológica y política ambiental, México, ed. Fondo de Cultura Económica.
  • MATTEL, Clara (2025): El orden del capital. Cómo los economistas inventaron la austeridad y allanaron el camino al fascismo, Madrid, Capitán Swing.
  • MOLTÓ, Tomás (2001). Materiales de economía política, Madrid, ed. Ariel.
  • NIÑO-BECERRA, Santiago (2019). El crash. Tercera fase, Barcelona, Roca Editorial.
  • OLIVERES, Arcadi (2005). Contra la fam i la guerra, Barcelona, ed. Angle Editorial.
  • PARNREITER, Christof (2018). Geografía económica. Una introducción contemporánea, México, ed. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
  • PERDICES, Luís i GALLEGO, Elena (2013): Mujeres economistas, Madrid, Ecobook.
  • PÉREZ OROZCO, Amaia (2014). Subversión feminista de la economía. Aportes para un debate sobre el conflicto capital-vida, Madrid, ed. Traficantes de Sueños.
  • PIKETTY, Thomas (2014). El capital al segle XXI, Barcelona, ed. RBA.
  • PINSON, Gilles (2020). La ville néoliberale. París, PUF.
  • PRICE, Marie (2020). Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World, Londres, Pearson (6ª edició).
  • RUÍZ, Clemente (2015). Crisis y rediseño del capitalismo en el siglo xxi, Universidad Autónoma de Baja california (México), ed. Miguel Àngel Porrúa.
  • SALA i MARTIN, Xavier (2002). Economia liberal per a no economistes i no liberals, Barcelona, ed.Pòrtic.
  • SAMUELSON, Paul Anthony (1973). Curso de Economía Moderna, Madrid, ed. Aguilar.
  • SOLANA, Antonio Miguel (coord.) (2016): Espacios globales y lugares próximos. Setenta conceptos para entender la organización territorial del capitalismo global, Barcelona, Icaria.
  • STIGLITZ, Joseph E. (1995). Economía, Madrid, ed. Ariel Economía.
  • TORRES, Juan (2000). Economía política, Madrid, ed. Pirámide.


It is very important that the student pay attention to how to correctly cite the bibliography in any work, report, etc., that requires it; For this reason, it is recommended to consult the following document: "Com citar i elaborar la bibliografia".

Software

None specific, it is assumed that students already have a certain mastery in the most commonly used office tools and programs (in this case, a word processor and other one for to make infographics).

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PCAM) Field practices 11 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PCAM) Field practices 12 Catalan first semester morning-mixed