GEOG 2010 - Geography of the World Economy

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab None
Course Description: This course introduces students to the global organization of economic activities and the driving forces explaining these patterns. The evolution, structure, and trade dynamics of the global economy are studied. Geographic patterns in what people do for a living and in levels of development are examined as well.
MnTC Goals
5 History/Social/Behavioral Science, 8 Global Perspective

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: Completion of 15 college-level credits with a grade of C or higher.

Major Content

1. Introduction: how geography shapes economic activities, location and spatial analysis, introduction to globalization, trends in the global production and consumption system
2. Historical development and basic tenets of capitalism (e.g. colonialism and the industrial revolution), market forces, corporations, national economies, labor and class relations and geographies
3. Population dynamics: growth and distribution, demographic stages, migration
4. Resources and the environment: the production and commodification of food, minerals, and energy; carrying capacity, environmental degradation, and sustainability
5. Economic geography theories and models: historical location models, political economy, and current theories
6. Agricultural systems: subsistence and commercial agriculture, agri-business and government policies
7. Manufacturing: historical evolution and centers of production, Fordism, deindustrialization, flexible production and the global assembly line
8. Services: forces of growth, finance and banking, tourism, consumerism
9. Transportation: time-space compression, infrastructure, trade networks
10. Urbanization: urban economics, agglomeration, sprawl, urban decay and renewal
11. Economic Development: Measuring development, Understanding inequities and uneven development, development strategies
12. International Trade: commodity flows, competition and economic niches, mobile capital, trade barriers, trade organizations and alliances

1. describe the influence of geography (location and spatial differentiation) on economic activities using social scientific terminology and tying in spatial understandings, models, and theories.
2. employ the research methods and data geographers use to study economic issues.
3. explain key elements of the global economy ¿ its historical evolution, its institutions and dynamics, and structure.
4. explain trade and economic patterns, relations, and roles in a global system.
5. illustrate concepts, characteristics, and theories regarding the basic components of an economic system.
6. analyze and articulate the nature of inequalities, how they are measured, and development strategies to address them.

05. 02. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.

05. 03. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
Competency 2 (7-10)
08. 01. Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.

08. 03. Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution.

08. 04. Understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.

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