UNIT
DESCRIPTION
Welcome to GEOS215 Geographies of Development a 200-level unit
offered by the Department of Human Geography. GEOS 215 approaches
the geographies of development from a wide-ranging perspective.
It provides multiple perspectives on the geographies of development,
ranging from the social, cultural, economic and environmental.
Furthermore, these issues are considered at a variety of geographical
scales, ranging from the global to the local. While development
issues are examined in different countries, the unit has a particular
focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
The
first part of the
unit considers the
various meanings,
measures and representations
of development and
explores the various
development theories
which have emerged
in the context of
the legacies of
colonialism and
imperialism. It
investigates the
causes and character
of inequality and
poverty in the ‘Third World’ and the
nature of processes of exclusion operating in the world. Particular
focus is placed on urban and rural spaces in development; gender
and poverty and critiques of various ‘tools’ of
development.
The second part of the unit focuses on development in the Asia-Pacific
region. It considers countries and localities in the region from
a global to local perspective. A number of different perspectives
are discussed, ranging from regional industrial networks to the
illegal global drug trade. In addition, regional development in
case study countries (particularly in China) is examined. Furthermore,
the role of regional industry clusters is discussed in Guangdong
and Shanghai, as well as in Southeast Asia.
UNIT
AIMS
GEOS 215 focuses on
the geographies of development, with a particular focus on the
Asia-Pacific region. It considers geographical aspects of changes
or restructuring taking place in the Australian, Asia-Pacific
and global economies. It has a number of aims:
-
To
focus on the various meanings, measures and representations
of development;
-
To
explore the interrelationships between economic, social, cultural
and political processes in shaping development;
-
To
consider development from the perspective of the global to local
geographical scales.
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
The unit will provide
students with:
-
An
understanding of social, cultural, economic, political and environmental
development at a variety of scales from global to local drawing
evidence from the Asia-Pacific and other regions. We consider
changes taking place in the global and Asia-Pacific economies
from a geographical perspective. This encompasses recognition
of the diversity of experiences in different countries and the
importance of avoiding simplistic arguments associated with
discussions of the global-local interrelationships.
-
An
ability to critically assess the concept of development, including
both theory and practice, in a range of contexts.
-
A
critical awareness of the weaknesses and strengths of a range
of methods used in economic geography. These include a critical
awareness and evaluation of data sources and published research
papers.
-
An
ability to present an argument in written form and verbally.
Students will be assessed on several pieces of written work
as well as a tutorial presentation.
-
The
ability to develop research skills by documenting and evaluating
the process of doing research. >
- A
capability
of interrelating
academic material
with developments
taking place
in the "real
world". Students are expected to "keep up" with
current developments
in economic restructuring
in the Asia-Pacific
region and globally
and relate these
developments to
academic research.
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