Montgomery College

Rockville Campus

Department of Applied Technology

Course Syllabus – Fall 2005

GE103 Economic Geography

Monday 6:00 – 9:30 pm

Instructor:  Tara Wallace

Office Hours:  Monday 5:30 – 6:00 pm

Office:  TEC237

Daytime number:    301-713-2745 ext 150 (NOAA) 7:00 am – 3:00 pm

E-mail:  tara.wallace@noaa.gov

Text:            Stutz, Frederick & Barney Warf.  The World Economy: Resources, Location, Trade & Development, 4th Ed., Prentice Hall, 2005.

                   Rand McNally, Goode's World Atlas, 21^st Ed., Hudson Pub: 2005 

INTRODUCTION:  Economic Geography is concerned with the location and distribution of economic activity.  In Economic Geography, we will study the locational, organizational and behavioral principles and processes associated with the spatial allocation of human, man-made and natural resources, and the spatial patterns and consequences resulting from such allocations.  In other words, we will examine the way in which individuals and enterprises organize their economic activities in space and the extent to which society recognizes these socio-economic impacts of such activities across space and uses its institutions to influence these impacts.

Economic Geography deals with the questions of what kind, how much, from where and for whom resources will be converted into economic goods and services for human consumption.  It is the study of man’s wide range of economic activity and the physical space on which he resides.   

v    The perspective of location and spatial distribution of economic activities, including questions of “place,” “locality,” “site and situation” and land use;

v    The perspective of spatial interaction in regards to trade, transportation, migration, information, communication networks, and the economic geography of the Internet;

v    Communications-related transactions in the space economy, from face-to-face communication via paper and pen to digital, GIS, and Internet exchange of information;

v    The Service Sector;

v    The many changes in the nature of jobs and work;

v    The effect of the earth’s geography upon human economic activity and

v    The effect of human economic activity upon the global environment. 

OBJECTIVES:  By the end of the semester, students should have a better understanding and appreciation of Economic Geography.  To acquire a basic understanding of the actions of market forces upon the nature of economic activity.  To understand the impact of location of natural resources upon economic activity.  To understand the effect of population, transportation, and investment upon the location of economic activity.  

COURSE GRADE will be determined as follows:  610 points total

          **Class Participation = 10 points

***Exams = 2 @ 100 points

          ****Class Exercises = 250 points (5 @ 50 pts each)

          *****Final Project = 150 points

*Final grade will be determined on the following scale:

90-100% = A   80-89% = B   70-79% = C   60-69% = D   59% and below = F

**Economic Geography is primarily a lecture course.  Class participation in the lecture sessions is strongly encouraged and will influence your grade positively. 

***You will have two exams.  A verbal outline will be given prior to the exam.  Do not forget the exam date.  The make-up (essay) will be given at the regularly scheduled time for final exams.  After the exams have been graded, they will be returned to the students for review and discussion.  The exam will include lecture notes, text, videos, exercises and special handouts.  There may be an undetermined amount of possible bonus points during the semester.

****You will have five class exercises throughout the semester pertaining to lecture material and assigned reading material.  Students will have lab time to work on these exercises. Exercises will be due at the end of the class period.  No exceptions. 

*****A final project will be required for this course.  This project will require out-of-class time.  In addition, there may be minimal expense:  gas money, metro-rail, or lunch money that you will find necessary to complete the project.  Students will have lab time to work on the final project. 

NOTE:  It is very important that you communicate with me effectively!  I encourage all of you to stay in contact with me via phone, e-mail, or appointments. I will make myself available to you during the week by appointment.  Otherwise, I do have office hours before class on Monday and Wednesday.  I want this semester and your geography course to be a positive experience; therefore I will strive to make it productive, educational, and enjoyable! 

Participation and attendance is important for the material presented in this course.  Excessive absence will reduce your grade for the course.   

Honor code will be in effect for the student in the performance of class participation, assignments, and examinations.  Work groups and research teams are encouraged as long as the individual effort is recognizable in the final product. 

Disability Support Services:  Any student who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please make an appointment to see Rose Sachs during office hours. A letter from Disability Support Services (R-CB122; G-SA175; or TP-ST120) authorizing your accommodations will be needed. Any student who may need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation must identify to the Disability Support Services Office; guidelines for emergency evacuations for individuals with disabilities are found at:   www.montgomerycollege.edu/dss/evacprocedures.htm.    

Assessment level:  All students are required to have the required assessment level and prerequisites (unless approved by the professor) as stated in the college catalog under class descriptions.

Send mail to karl.reis@montgomerycollege.edu with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: December 06, 2005