Diseño e implementación de un Blended Intensive Programme para la enseñanza-aprendizaje de los paisajes de la ganadería extensiva en el sur de Europa

Abstract

Since the launch of the European Higher Education Area in 2010, a growing number of international training programmes have been created in Europe. Within the Erasmus+ framework, many opportunities for student mobility and international teaching have emerged. Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) have been introduced relatively recently, as part of the generation of Erasmus+ programmes running from 2021 to 2027. This initiative supports cooperation between universities in different countries for these short, combined learning experiences. BIPs are typically offered by universities and often focus on a specific topic or skill. The program is structured in two phases: a virtual phase and an in-person phase. The online component may include lectures, readings, and discussions, while the face-to-face component may include workshops, group projects, and field trips. These programmes are considered a good option for students who are looking for a more intensive learning experience than a traditional online course. They can also be a good option for students who are unable to travel abroad for an entire semester or year. The aim of this paper is to present and discuss the design and results of the first BIP on Extensive Livestock Systems and Landscape, coordinated by three universities in Southern Europe: University of Granada (UGR), University of Minho (UM) and University of Padua (UNIPD). This interdisciplinary BIP was made up of students from five university degrees: Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Land Management (UGR), Master’s Degree in Territorial Planning, Governance and Leadership (UGR), Bachelor’s Degree in Geography (UM), Master’s Degree in Landscape Studies (UNIPD) and Master’s Degree in Local Development (UNIPD). The training program was structured around a series of theoretical and practical collaborative learning activities designed to familiarize students with landscape conservation, management, and planning in the context of contemporary extensive livestock systems. In pursuit of this objective, several international workshops facilitated interactions between students and lecturers/researchers representing disciplines pertinent to landscape planning and management from the three participating universities. The program was delineated into two primary phases: (1) An initial online phase, during which the selected students engaged in various training modules. They participated in discussions on topics covered in international tandems and prepare a guided essay for research initiation; (2) The second phase took place face-to-face in Granada (Spain) and included three field trips, exploring rural areas in Andalusia to observe examples of successful business practices. Additionally, there were two presentation sessions for students to discuss their essays, as well as a conference session featuring presentations from international experts on the subject. This BIP is expected to serve as the first iteration of a training program involving other universities from the Arqus Alliance. The coordinators plan to organize a new edition in Portugal in 2025, building on the foundations laid by this international teaching program on landscape issues. By providing an international perspective, this BIP aimed to foster collaboration and facilitate the exchange of experiences among future professionals in geography and landscape science in Southern Europe.