Economic Geogr: Theory and Application

Uitgebreide vaknaam	Economic Geography: Theory and Application
Leerdoelen	The objectives of the course are such that students will be able to coherently analyse complex geographical phenomena, articulate clearly how economic phenomena and spatial phenomena are interrelated, and provide carefully considered responses to policy challenges and debates. The module primarily contributes to the following programme goals: 1A) Graduates can summarize and explain, at the level of academic handbooks, the historical development as well as current insights and societal challenges in the field of economic geography with a focus on labour market issues, entrepreneurship and globalization. 1C) Graduates know and they can explain the prime theoretical, methodological and ethical paradigms of economic geography in general and in particular where it concerns the link of micro-level behavior by firms, people and policy and regional level outcomes. 1D) Graduates can describe the institutional context in which regional socio-economic dynamics take shape. This includes knowledge of (regional) governance structures as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations that influence economic dynamics. 1E) Graduates understand their labour market prospects: They can describe the occupations and tasks they may fulfill and the organizations that typically employ graduates with the skills and knowledge associated with the programme of Economic Geography. 2C) Graduates can explain how the regional institutional and socio-economic context, including policies, influence regional economic dynamics and how this can lead to place-specific development paths. 3C) Graduates are able to draw practical (policy) implications from their research.
Omschrijving	This module has two main aims. First, the course explores the current frontiers of the academic debate in Economic Geography. Second, it explicitly translates the theoretical and empirical insights in Economic Geography to the daily practice of local and regional economic development as practiced by policy makers and private consultants alike. The course is set against the backdrop of ongoing economic globalization, or counter developments in the wake of the corona crisis and its implications for local and regional economic development. The course will examine analytical concepts and theories, as well as empirical approaches to investigating economic geography. In this context, the course will introduce important current themes in economic geography, both from an academic point of view and from a societal stance. These current themes include the importance of human capital for innovation and development, Well-being and Happiness as alternative measures of development, and Territorial and Social inequality. Importantly, we will discuss ideas of regional resilience in the light of negative external shocks (such as a pandemic). Students will examine these issues in the context of The Netherlands, the European Union, and in terms of newly emerging and developing countries. The course explicitly asks how empirical and theoretical insights translate to the practice of local and regional development. For this, we will discuss pertinent policy options and tools, including city branding, business incentives and housing policies. Understanding the international practice of regional government is relevant in this as well, not in the least in preparation for a job in local development. Throughout the course we will pay attention to the practice of economic geography. This is made explicit in a series of online interviews with policy makers dealing with regional economic policies in the Netherlands and Europe.
Uren per week	6
Onderwijsvorm	Guest lectures, Independent study, Lectures, Seminars
Toetsvorm	Group assignments, Individual assignments
Vaksoort	master
Coördinator	dr. S. Koster
Docent(en)	dr. S. Koster
Verplichte literatuur	Titel Auteur ISBN Prijs Local and Regional Development, Second Edition, Routledge: London and New York. (E-Book: €33,38) Pike, A., A. Rodríguez-Pose and J. Tomaney (2016) 9781138785724 ca. €  50,00 Tentative list of articles
Entreevoorwaarden
Opmerkingen	In 2020-2021, the course will be principally organized as an online course, while certain on-site activities may be organized if the situation and university policy permit. No restrictions except for possible restrictions regarding on-site teaching.
Opgenomen in	Opleiding Jaar Periode Type MSc Cultural Geography  (Optional courses Cultural Geography) 1 semester I a keuze MSc Economic Geography  (Basic programme Economic Geography) 1 semester I a verplicht MSc Economic Geography  (Economic Geography: Regional Competitiveness and Trade (track)) 1 semester I a verplicht MSc Environmental and Infrastructure Planning  (Optional courses EIP) 1 semester I a keuze MSc Population Studies  (Optional courses Pop Studies) 1 semester I a keuze MSc Real Estate Studies  (Optional courses Real Estate Studies) 1 semester I a keuze MSc Society, Sustainability and Planning  (Optional courses Society, Sustainability and Planning) 1 semester I a keuze MSc Spatial Sciences (research)  (Optional thematic courses (GERMTTO) year 1 and 2 Spatial Sciences) - semester I a keuze