Geog 365: Graduate Seminar in Economic Geography

Will Be Offered in Spring, 2007 

Instructor: Yuko Aoyama

Jefferson Academic Center 208

Tel: 793-7403

Email: yaoyama@clarku.edu

The seminar is designed to provide a solid foundation in the historical and contemporary literature in economic geography.  Emphasis is given to the examination of empirical evidence on changing regional and national economies and to the implications these changes have for the theories and research methods.  Readings will relate mainly to the United States, but pertinent material on other countries will be covered in the discussion.

The course demands a heavy reading load and active class participation (50% of grade).  Students are required to conduct a brief presentation on the readings of their choice at the beginning of class, as well as the peer-review and critique during the final meeting.  In addition, two short essays are required addressing themes in the course (50% of grade). Some knowledge of microeconomic, macroeconomic, and political economy theories would be favorable but not required for the course.  Basic economic theories relevant for the course will be covered in the seminar, if deemed necessary. 

Students are expected to do the required readings listed in the syllabus prior to attending a lecture and are urged to bring up opposing points of view in class.  Required readings are placed on reserve.  Some of the readings can be skimmed, others should be read with care.  Guidance on this will be provided as the semester proceeds. 

Course Outline:

1/20:   Introduction

1/27:    Industrial location and Regional Development

2/3:      Firms, Mass Production and Flexible Specialization

2/10:    Critique of Flexible Specialization and Post-fordism

2/17:    Industrial Districts and Clusters

2/24:    Technological Innovation

3/3:      [Spring break – No Class]

3/10    Learning and Regional Development – [First Essay Due in Class]

3/17:    Embeddedness and Labor Markets

3/24:    Comparative Capitalism

3/31:    Globalization, Governance and Policy

4/7:      Post-industrialism, Informationalism and the Service Economy

4/14:    Economic Geography vs. Geographical Economics

4/21:    Recent ‘Turns’ in Economic Geography—[Second Essay Due in Class]

4/28:    Emerging Paradigms Session  -- [Peer-review Due in Class]

5/1:      [The Final Version of the Second Essay Due at 5pm]