DEVELOPMENT STUDIES AND DEVELOPMENT GEOGRAPHY IN THE SYSTEM OF EARTH SCIENCES
DEVELOPMENT STUDIES AND DEVELOPMENT GEOGRAPHY IN THE SYSTEM OF EARTH SCIENCES

Author(s): Zdeněk Opršal, Pavel Nováček
Subject(s): Developing nations, Higher Education , Pedagogy
Published by: Masarykova univerzita nakladatelství
Keywords: Development geography; Development studies; Earth sciences; Czech Republic;
Summary/Abstract: There is an ongoing debate on the future of geography as a science. The Earth is almost explored and therefore the space for the application of geography is relatively narrower than in the past. At the same time, there are fields of geography such as Development Studies and Development Geography which bring new impetus. Development geography deals with the study of the spatial aspects of development, or more precisely of insufficient development of economically less advanced countries. Until recently, this issue has not been an important part of teaching and research activities at Czech universities, but the situation has changed in the last decade. The paper provides an overview of recent evolution and position of Development Studies and Development Geography in the system of Earth Sciences, taking into consideration the Czech context. It reviews the debate on the mission of Development studies and development geography and considers the role of geography in our perceptions of developing countries and their problems.

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