Universität Wien

290065 VU Theories of spatial development (2010W)

4.00 ECTS (3.00 SWS), SPL 29 - Geographie
Continuous assessment of course work

Details

Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 06.10. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 13.10. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 20.10. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 27.10. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 03.11. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 10.11. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 17.11. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 24.11. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 01.12. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 15.12. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 12.01. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 19.01. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 26.01. 09:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course is open to students of all study programs interested in theoretical and conceptual ap-proaches developed to grasp inequality dynamics in space. However, course outline is designed to the specific needs of MA students in geography with specialisation in regional development. Discussions will centre on theories and concepts suited for analysis at the regional scale, i.e. at a middle spatial range. Presentation will focus on socio-economic dynamics at different spatial scales (local, regional, national, continental, global).
The following themes will be covered: Contrasting neo-classical, post-keynesian and polit-economic lines of argumentation; historical evidence of convergence versus divergence processes in spatial disparities; theories arguing in favour of socio-economic geographical polarisation; economic power and space; influence of transaction, transport and energy costs on spatial development patterns; New Economic Geography; theories periodizing socio-economic development; trans-scalar dynamics in the governance of socio-economic processes in space; current patterns of industrial location; Glocal Commodity Chains; Globalisation and the new importance given to localized economies; Innovation and space; Spatial theory and spatial policy; gendered critiques

Assessment and permitted materials

Students have three different options to gain credits
(i) final written examination (up to 60 credits)
(ii) active participation in class discussions and/or short oral presentation (+/-3 credits per unit)
(iii) writing of short papers in preparation (3 credits per unit/task)
For positive graduation 51 credit points has to be gained at minimum. At least 30 credits have to be reached in final written examination and at least 18 points have to be gained with active participation.
Written examinations February 2nd 2010 and early/mid March 2010.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students are able to review the most important approaches developed over the last century to analyse and understand the dynamics of spatial (regional) inequality processes, can place them in historical context and are able to distinguish with respect to main argumentation lines.
Students are able to outline and discuss basic assumptions, considered relations and forecasted dynamics of different theoretical and conceptual models designed for the analysis of spatial socioeconomic development processes.
Students are able to exemplify and discuss empirical relevance of different lines of theoretical argumentation.
Students are able to identify the most important driving forces of current regional and interregional socioeconomic development dynamics and to discuss their empirical relevance.

Examination topics

The course is designed as a 3-hours lecture every week. To foster active reflection on the empirical, theoretical and conceptual material presented, at least one third of course time will be devoted to focused discussions. Regular attendance and active participation in class discussions is accounted for in grading (for details see below).
For each thematic bloc at least one article is defined as required reading. To strengthen participation in class discussions, credits may be earned during the semester with
a pre-reading of articles, oral presentation, possible processing and discussion of these papers.
The concentration of professional competences of two persons in the lecturing team does allow for a rather broad consideration of subject matters as well as conceptual approaches. To focus presentation each weekly unit will deal with theoretical conceptions from one specific thematic angle typically discussed with regard to spatial development.
Although stewardship for the different thematic modules is assigned explicitly to one of the two persons responsible for the course, over the semester students will be confronted with (slightly) different scientific approaches and focal points. This should encourage reflection on students¿ own scientific positioning and preferred entrance points into scientific study.
Subject centred organisation of contents will allow for didactically useful repetition of theoretical approaches and conceptual aspects from different angles.
Gender aspects will be covered in all thematic modules.

Reading list

Bathelt, Harald und Johannes Glückler (2002): Wirtschaftsgeographie: ökonomische Beziehungen in räumlicher Perspektive. Stuttgart: Ulmer.
Coy, Neil M., Kelly, Philip F. und Yeung, Henry W.C. (2007): Economic Geography. A Contemporary Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell.
Eckey, Hans-Friedrich (2008): Regionalökonomie. Wiesbaden: Gabler.
Harvey, David (2005): Spaces of neoliberalization: towards a theory of uneven geographical development. Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner Verlag.
Krumbein, Wolfgang, von Frieling, Hans-Dieter, Kröcher, Uwe und Detlev Sträter (2008): Kritische Regionalwissenschaft. Gesellschaft, Politik, Raum. Theorien und Konzepte im Überblick. Münster: Westfälisches Dampfboot.
Maier, Gunther, Franz Tödtling & Michaela Trippl (1996, 2006): Regional- und Stadtökonomik 2. Regionalentwicklung und Regionalpolitik. Wien, New York: Springer.

Association in the course directory

(MG-S3-PI.f) (MG-W3-PI) (MR3-NPI) (L2-b3, L2-b-zLV) (Td-S1-I.a) (Tef-W-C1) (Rb8) (Rd-W2, Rd-W10)

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:42