Economic Geography: Regional Development

The course is offered as a freestanding course.

Economic geography studies where goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed. The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to the discipline of economic geography. The course creates a basic understanding of why economic activities are unevenly distributed in space and why the regional level is important for the discipline. Particular focus is placed on the role and location of the factors of production, namely natural resources, labour, capital, and knowledge.

The course begins with an overview of the emergence of economic geography, as well as an introduction to central economic geography theories and concepts, especially localization and foreign trade theories. It also includes an introduction to the geographic distribution of the world's population and natural resources. The course then covers the basic geographic patterns of international trade as well as the long-term geographic changes in manufacturing and service production from a global perspective.

After passing the course, students shall be able to:

1. describe the basic factors of production, the spatial distribution of production, services and foreign trade, as well as their development over time,
2. explain central economic geography theories and concepts,
3. apply and reflect on central economic geography theories and concepts.

Lectures, seminars and where practicable, an excursion.
Language of instruction: English

Learning outcomes 1 and 2 are examined by a written exam.
Learning outcome 3 is examined orally and in writing by a group assignment, and an individual assignment.

An assignment that does not meet the requirements for Pass (G) needs to be revised in order to meet the minimum requirements. A revised assignment must be submitted for re-assessment within the prescribed time.

Compulsory attendance: During the course, there may be lectures, seminars and an excursion where attendance is compulsory. A student who does not attend a mandatory element of the course may be granted a make-up assignment, which must be completed within the prescribed time. A student who has been absent from more than one of the mandatory course components cannot pass the course.

Due to resource constraints, seminars and excursion can only be performed and assessed within the course dates.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E) and Fail (F).

To pass the course, a student must have achieved all learning outcomes. This means a passing grade (A-E) on the written exam, Pass (G) on the group assignment including seminar and presentation, as well as Pass (G) on the individual assignment. The compulsory elements of the course must also be completed. The course grade (A-F) is based on the written exam.

Grade (Definition) Characteristic:
A (Excellent) A distinguished result that is excellent with regard to theoretical depth,practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

B (Very good) A very good result with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

C (Good) The result is of a good standard with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought and lives up to expectations.

D (Satisfactory) The result is of a satisfactory standard with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

E (Sufficient) The result satisfies the minimum requirements with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought, but not more. 

F (Fail) The result does not meet the minimum requirements with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

Some occasional examination elements of the course may have the grading scale UG (Fail/Pass).

A course evaluation is conducted anonymously either digitally via the course website or via a written questionnaire handed out at the last scheduled meeting of the course or in connection with the exam. The results of the evaluation are to be communicated to students via the course committee and course website.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

The School of Business, Economics and Law has an AI policy regarding the use of generative AI or similar tools. General rules and guidelines for the use of such tools are published and updated on the course's learning platform together with specific provisions applicable to this course.