GEOS 2112/2912: Economic Geography of Global Development

GEOS 2112 Economic Geography of Global Development
GEOS 2912 Economic Geography of Global Development (Advanced)
A/Prof Bill Pritchard, Dr Jeff Nielsen

Session: February
Classes: 2 lec, 2 prac/wk
Prerequisites: 24 credit points of Junior units of study, including GEOG 1001 or GEOG 1002 or GEOS 1001 or GEOS 1002 or GEOS 1003 or ECOP 1001 or ECOP 1002
Prohibitions: GEOG 2511
Assessment: One 2hr exam, 2000w essay, tutorial papers, prac report

This is a Unit of Study for students interested in understanding questions about the winners and losers from global development.

In this Unit of Study, students will be introduced to the sub-discipline of economic geography by way of debates on the spatial character of global development. We focus on questions relating to who are the winners and losers from contemporary patterns of global economic change. This includes the analysis of relevant conceptual approaches to these questions (including comparative advantage, global commodity chain theory, regionalism, economic governance etc), plus ‘hands-on’ examination of the key institutions (such as the WTO and ADB) driving these changes. In general, issues are tailored to themes being played out in Asia-Pacific countries. Students are expected to participate in a variety of practical class exercises throughout the semester, which will include presenting the fruits of independent research activities. This unit provides an especially relevant feeder-unit into GEOS 3053 / GEOS 3054, the Asia-Pacific Field School.

Recommended textbooks: P. Dicken (2003) Global Shift, Sage, London.

Course Outline (pdf)