GEOG 135 – Economic Geography

NOTE: The following is an archive of the class material I offered as a Professor at Hofstra University (1999-2024).

Introduces economic geography, in particular how geographic and economic conditions affect products, industries, commerce and resources in a variety of regions. Covers the concepts, theories, and methodologies used by geographers to analyze economic change, such as of population and resources, and basic location theory for primary, secondary and tertiary industries.

The course underlines the role of geography in the modern global economy, particularly as it relates to local, regional, national, and international economic growth and development.

The general goals of the course are:

• Students will be provided with an introduction to theoretical and practical concepts of economic geography.
• Students will understand how geographic and economic conditions affect products, industries, commerce, and world resources.
• Explain the role of population and natural resources in regional growth and change.
• Students will be able to understand economic processes such as globalization, trade, and transportation and their impacts on economic, cultural, and social activities.
• Students will understand the fundamental concepts of spatial interaction and diffusion, which explain how human activities are influenced by the concept of distance.

PowerPoint Slides

• Topic 1 – Overview of Economic Geography
• Topic 2 – Historical Developments of Capitalism
• Topic 3 – Population and Labor
• Topic 4 – Natural Resources
• Topic 5 – Location Theory
• Topic 6 – Agriculture and Food Production
• Topic 7 – Location of Manufacturing
• Topic 8 – Location of Services
• Topic 9 – Transportation and Communications

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