Economic Geography - GEO 225
https://courses.vccs.edu./courses/GEO225-EconomicGeography
Effective: 2022-05-01
Course Description
Introduces the subfield of human geography by focusing on the key interactions of people, space, and economics. Familiarizes students with economic, geographic, political and demographic factors that impact international target markets and trade activity. Focuses on levels of development, urban areas, globalization, and international trade
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
GEO 225 explores and recognizes the role of economics within the context of society and throughout history. This course enhances the knowledge and understanding of various economic institutions with a focus on the geographical context of events. This course identifies major economic policies and decisions while understanding their international implications.
Course Objectives
- Communication
- Effectively communicate components and observations of economic geography through written and/or oral communication
- Critical Thinking
- Identify and explain how various elements of economic policies (politics, industry, trade, and precedence) contribute to state and international policies
- Evaluate economic decisions by analyzing various components (economic affiliations, personal biases, and education) that influence viewpoints
- Cultural and Social Understanding
- Describe the role of economics in society
- Recognize the ways in which economics influence individuals and/or society
- Describe how individual and societal factors influence policy creation
- Analyze and evaluate current event sources to promote critical analysis of economic decisions and policies
- Analyze economics from different cultural and historical perspectives
- Cultivate personal goals related to being an informed citizen and participating in both community planning and economic development
- Economic Activity
- Identify the levels of economic activity and key characteristics associated with each
- Define the stages of development as countries progress from a developing country to a developed country
- Identify various government policies and economic management
- Cities and Urbanization
- Analyze economic impacts on cities and urban areas
- Examine the major economic challenges that cities can experience as they develop and grow
- Explain the role and function of a city planner and/or economic developer within local communities
- Economic Development
- Identify types of economies and note basic concepts of each
- Identify major strategies for economic development and the risks and rewards associated with each
- Recognize historical-social context of various industrial and manufacturing decisions
- Globalization and International Trade
- Discuss how key impacts like economics leads group migration to better financial opportunities in other parts of the world, which in turn, is a global diaspora
- Identify key components of international trade and applicable laws
- Identify the impacts of government policy on trade
- Environment and Climate Change
- Describe and interpret the interactions between the environment and the economy
- Identify the impacts of climate change on economic decisions and policies
Major Topics to be Included
- Economic Activity
- Cities and Urbanization
- Economic Development
- Globalization and International Trade
- Environment and Climate Change