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, as well as basic GIS tools to obtain and manipulate spatial boundary (map) files. Moreover, students will be taught to independently apply various techniques (e.g. cluster mapping, spatial econometrics) to empirically examine aspects of regional economic development in the European Union.

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 each class that includes a discussion (D, see course outline), starting with L3/D1, in electronic form (PDF)
• 15% Class participation (e.g. in discussion sessions and seminar)
• 10% One paragraph summary of idea and research question, in electronic form DUE: 28.04.24, online and
           Two page summary of research proposal, in electronic form DUE: 09.05.24, online
• 10% presentation of final report
• 40% Research report, DUE: 01.07.24

Grading:

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.