Syllabus
Registration via LPIS
Day | Date | Time | Room |
---|---|---|---|
Thursday | 03/08/18 | 01:00 PM - 04:30 PM | D3.0.222 |
Thursday | 03/15/18 | 03:00 PM - 06:30 PM | LC.-1.038 |
Thursday | 03/22/18 | 01:00 PM - 04:30 PM | D4.0.127 |
Thursday | 04/12/18 | 04:00 PM - 07:30 PM | TC.-1.61 |
Thursday | 04/19/18 | 04:00 PM - 07:30 PM | TC.-1.61 |
Thursday | 04/26/18 | 01:00 PM - 04:30 PM | D4.0.127 |
Thursday | 05/03/18 | 01:00 PM - 04:30 PM | D4.0.127 |
Thursday | 05/17/18 | 04:00 PM - 07:30 PM | LC.-1.038 |
Thursday | 05/24/18 | 01:00 PM - 04:30 PM | D4.0.127 |
Thursday | 06/07/18 | 01:00 PM - 04:30 PM | LC.-1.038 |
Thursday | 06/14/18 | 01:00 PM - 04:30 PM | TC.4.14 |
Thursday | 06/21/18 | 01:00 PM - 04:30 PM | D3.0.222 |
Thursday | 06/28/18 | 01:00 PM - 04:30 PM | D4.0.039 |
This course critically engages with theories of uneven spatial development and provides the methodological tools to visualize and explain the evolution of the European space economy. The course will show how changing historical-economic contexts such as globalization, theoretical developments in the field of urban and regional economics and economic geography as well as empirical analysis and results have influenced EU spatial policy moving from policies to promote regional economic convergence and catch up of peripheral regions to those based on smart specialization strategies.
One of the key features of this course is the translation of theoretical concepts and ideas into empirical research. Students will learn and do applied spatial analysis! The seminars will introduce publicly available spatial data from EUROSTAT, Cambridge Econometrics and other sources, basic GIS tools to obtain and manipulate spatial boundary (map) files and various techniques (eg. cluster mapping, spatial econometrics, software) for students to work independently and examine empirically aspects of regional economic development in the European Union.
• To evaluate the strength and weaknesses of different theoretical approaches
• To write response papers to academic papers
• To use response papers to sharpen your arguments during class discussions
• To use theory to develop and identify a geographic research problem
• To understand the distinctiveness of spatial data
• To learn about and work with publicly available spatial data
• To learn about and apply spatial methodological tools to visualize, identify and explain spatial patterns and processes of economic change
• To find out more about the EU spatial economic and social policies
• To understand the concept of SMART specialization as regional development tool
The course is structured in lectures and seminars: There will be lectures and discussion sessions of students in the lecture units. The seminar units involve data handling exercises and applied spatial analysis in computer labs.
Course Outline:
Date | Lecture/Seminar | Topic |
---|---|---|
08.03.18 | L1 | Introduction: Globalization and the end of geography? |
08.03.18 | L2 | EU regions in a globalizing world |
15.03.18 | S1 | Introducing spatial data |
22.03.18 | L3/D1 | Regional growth theory |
12.04.18 | S2 | Exploring spatial data |
19.04.18 | S3 | Looking for statistical relations |
26.04.18 | L4/D2 | Polarisation theories |
03.05.18 | L5/D3 | New economic geography |
17.05.18 | S4 | Spatial regressions |
24.05.18 | Feedback | Feedback on Research Proposals |
07.06.18 | S5 | Exercises in empirical research |
14.06.18 | L6/D4 | Endogenous development: Evolution and institutions |
21.06.18 | L7/D5 | Regions as nodes in global networks |
28.06.18 | P | FINAL PRESENTATIONS |
L=Lecture; D=Discussion of Papers; S=Computer seminars; P=Student presentations.
In order to pass the course, students are expected to attend and participate in all lectures and computer practical sessions. The total mark consists of:
• 25% Five short response papers (10-15 lines, for structure: see below) DUE: Beginning of the class, in electronic form (PDF)
• 15% Class participation (e.g. in discussion sessions)
• 10% One paragraph summary of idea and research question DUE: 10.05.2018, in electronic form and
Two page summary of research proposal DUE: 21.05.2018, in electronic form
• 10% Oral presentation of final report
• 40% Research report DUE: 28.06.2018
Grading:
points | grade |
---|---|
≥87.5 | excellent |
75.0 - <87.5 | good |
62.5 - <75.0 | satisfactory |
50.0 - <62.5 | sufficient |
<50 | fail |
There is NO EXAM for this module. Instead there are a number of assessed components including participation in discussion, brief summaries of readings, presentation and group research report.
Some basic data handling skills (e.g., in EXCEL) are necessary. Basic knowledge of quantitative data analysis or econometrics are recommended. If the module is oversubscribed, please contact juergen.essletzbichler@wu.ac.at.
Response papers:
In total there will be five discussion sessions (see course outline above). Each discussion session is based on the lectures and one assigned reading. You have to write very short response papers on the readings.
Structure of Response Papers:
• First paragraph (3-5 sentences): Describe the content of the paper correctly and clearly. Summarize the research questions, goals, methods and conclusion of the paper.
• Second paragraph (3-5 sentences): Discuss one or two interesting points the paper makes and explain why these are so convincing. - What is really good in the paper?
• Third paragraph (3-5 sentences): Explain what the paper lacks and show what could be improved. Make clear why the lacking idea is important and how it would change the paper. Show how your improvement would benefit the paper. – What is there to criticize and improve?
Layout and necessary information to include:
• Choose appropriate font style and size so the resulting PDF is NO more than one page long.
• Include your name and student id as well as a correct and full reference of the scientific paper the response paper refers to and possible additional papers you cite. You can use any specific citation style as long as it is consistent.
Readings for Response Papers and class discussions:
Lecture 3/Discussion 1: Growth theory
Glaeser, E. et al. (1992). Growth in Cities. Journal of Political Economy 100.6: 1126-1152.
Lecture 4/Discussion 2: Polarisation theory
Ying, L. G. (2000). Measuring the spillover effects: Some Chinese evidence. Papers in Regional Science 79: 75-89.
Lecture 5/Discussion 3: New Geographical Economics
Garretsen, H. and Martin, R. (2010). Rethinking (new) economic geography: taking geography and history more seriously. Spatial Economic Analysis 5: 127-160.
Lecture 6/Discussion 4: Endogenous development: Evolution and institutions
Frenken ,K., Van Ooort, F. and Verburg, T. (2007). Related variety, unrelated variety and regional economic growth. Regional Studies 41.5: 685-697.
Lecture 7/Discussion 5: Regions as nodes in global networks
Amin, A. and Thrift, N. (1992). Neo-Marshallian nodes in global networks. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 16: 571-587.
For essential information regarding your group project, see the corresponding file in the information section of the download section.
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