Module: Economic Geography & GeoPolitics

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Economic Geography & GeoPolitics
Module Code	ECO1020 (ITS: EF5180)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module provides students with a contemporary approach to the study of economic geography and the shifting landscape of geopolitics; including the study of approaches towards greater economic development and the globalisation of production and services. The module provides a conceptual background to the topic of economic geography before focusing on specific applied topics including the spatial organization of economic activities across regions and the globe. Applied topics include the evolving configuration of new global value chains and International trade flows. Additionally, the module examines how change and transformation impacts upon global networks and how knowledge flows are re-shaping interactions between both organisations and countries. To complement the above, the module also examines current issues, trends, and debates relating to the contemporary issues on economic geography like inequality, climate change and sustainable development.

Learning Outcomes

1. To understand underlying factors driving spatial economic differences in the age of globalization.
2. To critically engage with contemporary issues and debates in economic geography.
3. To understand the role of knowledge and financial flows from, and to, emerging economies.
4. To examine evolving global value chains and shifts in labour migration.
5. To discuss, debate and critique current contemporary issues in Economic Geography

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Lectures & Seminars
Independent Study	30	Assigned readings
Group work	25	Group work for completion of group project.
Independent Study	48	Study and synthesis of course materials and additional readings for individual assignment.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10364	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Edgar Morgenroth	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group project	Group project as advised by lecturer.	30%	n/a
Formal Examination	n/a	70%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative topics:
Introduction to economic geography. Regional and Global economic development. Global value chains & International knowledge flows. Geography of Finance & Financial flows. Labour migration. Understanding the causes of uneven economic growth and agglomeration.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Coe, Neil M; Yeung, Henry Wai-Chung; Kelly, Philip F: 2013, Economic geography: a contemporary introduction., 2nd, Wiley,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Additionally, a number of journals and databases will also be utilized, eg, OECD, Business Source Complete, Economist Intelligence Unit, Journal of Economic Geography, Economic Geography, International Business Studies, ,