GEOG/ID 016:

Introduction to Economic Geography  

(Satisfies Global Perspective (GP-I) requirement for the Program of Liberal Studies)

Offered every year

Dr. Yuko Aoyama

Course Description

Economic geography is a sub-set of geography that helps us better understand contemporary economic issues in the context of globalization.  As the world becomes inter-connected, our daily life is being increasingly and profoundly affected by global economic forces.  How do we better understand, control, and manage our economic futures in the globalized world? 

As an introductory course, this class offers basic explanations for variations in production, consumption, and exchange across regions and nations.  It provides tools to understand why certain regions remain stagnant, poor, or without economic opportunities, while others experience growth.  Basic theories and tools in economic geography, including theories of industrial location, economic development, urbanization, and globalization will be covered in the class.  We will also examine how technological progress takes place, how different forms of industrial organization affect location of production, and how successful policy functions to shape job creation, overcome global competition, ensure sustainability, and contribute to the overall economic climate of a place in both developed and developing countries contexts.  Real world problems and topics that relate to globalization will be discussed in class. 

Course Outline:

1.               Globalization of the World Economy

2.               Population and the World Economy

3.               Resources and Environment

4.               Transportation and Communications in World Economy

5.               World Agriculture and Rural Land Use

6.               Urban Land Use: Theory and Practice

7.               Cities as Retail and Service Centers

8.               Industrial Location: Firms

9.               Industrial Location: World Regions

10.            International Business I: Dynamics

11.            International Business II: World Patterns

12.            Development  

Grading:

Class participation:                           20% of grade

Midterm Exam 1                                  25%

Location Project                                 35%

Final Examination                            20%

Textbook:

Frederick P. Stutz and Anthony R. de Souza (1998).  The World Economy: Resources, Location, Trade, and Development.  Third Edition.  Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

Course Schedule:

Aug. 28 (Tue.): Globalization of the World Economy I

Aug. 29 (Wed.): Globalization of the World Economy II (read Chapter 1)

Sept. 3 (Mon.): LABOR DAY.  No Class.

Sept. 5 (Wed.): Population and the World Economy I (read Chapter 2)

Sept. 10 (Mon.): Population and the World Economy II

Sept. 12 (Wed): Resources and Environment I (read Chapter 3)

Sept. 17 (Mon.): Resources and Environment II

Sept. 19 (Wed.): Why GIS? (Guest Lecture by Professor Gil Pontius)

Sept. 24 (Mon.): Transportation and Communications in World Economy I (read Chapter 4)

Sept. 26 (Wed.): Transportation and Communications in World Economy II   

Oct. 1 (Mon.): Review

Oct. 3 (Wed.): Midterm Examination I

Oct. 8 (Mon.): World Agriculture and Rural Land Use  (read Chapter 5)

Oct. 10 (Wed.): Urban Land Use: Theory and Practice I (read Chapter 6)

Oct. 15 (Mon.): Fall Semester Break.  No Class.

Oct. 17 (Wed.): Urban Land Use: Theory and Practice II

Oct. 22 (Mon.): Cities as Retail and Service Centers I (read Chapter 7)

Oct. 24 (Wed.): Cities as Retail and Service Centers II 

Oct. 29 (Mon): Industrial Location: Firms I (read Chapter 9)

Oct. 31 (Wed.): Industrial Location: Firms II

Nov. 5 (Mon.): Industrial Location: World Regions I (read Chapter 10)

Nov. 7 (Wed.): Industrial Location: World Regions II

Nov. 12 (Mon.): Review

Nov. 14 (Wed.): Midterm Examination II

Nov 19 (Mon.): International Business I: Dynamics I (read Chapter 10)

Nov 21 (Wed.): Thanksgiving break.  No Class.

Nov. 26 (Mon.): International Business I: Dynamics II

Nov. 28 (Wed.): International Business II: World Patterns I (read Chapter 11)

Dec. 3 (Mon): International Business II: World Patterns II

Dec.5 (Wed.): Development (read Chapter 12)

Dec. 10 (Mon): Last Class.  Review.

Final Exam: TBA (Dec. 14-19th).