The aim of the course is to introduce students with theoretically based knowledge of human settlements; to enable students to understand contemporary distribution and development of permanent and temporary settlements and the similarities and contrasts that exist within and between them; to provide students knowledge of physical-geographical, demographic, social and economic factors relevant in development of rural systems.

The module should enable students to develop skills and knowledge for active participation in improving the living conditions in rural settlements from geographical perspective; to develop ability of students to apply their knowledge in different areas of social policies which consider transformation of settlements.

Theoretical lectures

(1-3) Concepts, theory and methodology of Geography of settlements; history of Geography of settlements; Geography of settlements in the system of geographic sciences; Geography of settlements in multidisciplinary concept. (4) Scope of Geography of settlements; Development perspectives of Geography of settlements; Ekistics – towards global human settlements. (5-6) Settlement classification; Criteria for classifying settlements (urban / rural) in Serbia and worldwide; Historical overview of settlements evolution – regional approach; Regional patterns of settlements. (7-8) Definitions of rural settlements and rural areas; Distinction between ‘rural’ and ‘urban’; Global patterns of rurality around the world; Discourses in rurality. (9) Traditional and contemporary studies of rural settlements. (10-11) Typology of rural settlements – demographic, genetic, physiognomic and functional typology; Migration in rural areas. (12) Rural settlements as development axis; Functional interconnection of rural settlements; Rural systems. (13-15) Main geographical characteristics of rural settlements in Serbia; Regional disparities of rural areas in Serbia; Major rural problems in Serbia; Trends and perspectives of development of rural settlements in Serbia.

Practical lectures

Introducing OECD and Eurostat methodology in study of rural settlements. Data sources.  Traditional and contemporary instructions for field researches in rural settlements. Sampling of rural areas with specific patterns (population density, distance, population size, form, hypsometrical distribution of settlements etc.). Mapping of rural settlements by different criteria.

Stamenković Đ. S., Bačević M. (1992). Geografija naselja. Beograd: Geografski fakultet PMF Univerziteta u Beogradu.

Beograd.Ćurčić S. (1992). Geografija naselja. Novi Sad: PMF, Institut za geografiju, Univerzitet u Novom Sadu.

Woods M. (2006). Rural Geography. London: Sage.

Cvijić J. (1969). Opšta geografija – Antropogeografija. Beograd: Zavod za izdavanje udžbenika SR Srbije.

(2001- 2002). Geografska enciklopedija naselja Srbije, knj. I (A – Đ), II (Ž – Lj), III (M – R) i IV (S – Š). Beograd: Geografski fakultet, Agena, Stručna knjiga i Srbosoft (štampano I elektronsko izdanje)