Aim of the course is to develop students' skills to explore path-dependencies of geographical systems using the historical data, their analyses and interpretation. Based on the assumption that geographical transformations are caused by punctuated collateral processes, the course acquaints students with types and availability of the historical data (documentary data, oral histories) and develop students' understanding to the specific concepts and approaches relevant to the use of historical data as well as to their limitations. Going beyond the simple causation mechanisms, students will use the case studies of political, economic and environmental processes to trace the relation between continuities of change and the critical junctures. Competencies (students will be able to): - classify historical data according to their purpose of origin, coverage and availability - explain benefits and limitations of fundamental concepts (longue-durée, history of structures, narratives, microhistory, path dependency and causation) applied in historical research - choose a set of data and respective methodological approaches to critically evaluate the underlying conditions, proximate drivers and paths of local/regional transformations Content: - historical research and its epistemology - the nature of historical data and their availability - historical concepts in a developmental perspective - designing a methodological approach for case study research
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