Semester at sea course syllabus discipline

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SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS 
DISCIPLINE:
Spring 2010 
SEMS 3500-501: Economic Geography 
Upper Division 
Faculty Name: Dr. Phillip T. Kolbe 
 
 
Suggested Prerequisites: None 
COURSE DESCRIPTION 
 
This course is a study of geographic relationships of supply and demand, resources, 
population, and transportation. Site analysis, location theory and decision-making in 
different economic systems and cultures and how these decisions affect the environment 
and the location of economic activities and regionalization of economic systems will be 
examined. 
 
 
COURSE OBJECTIVES 
 
To provide an understanding of the basic frameworks, concepts, explanations and 
analysis in economic geography. 
To obtain a sense of how current issues in the world relate to students' personal, academic 
and professional interests and goals. 
To acquire a basic understanding on how society organizes economic activity in space 
and how it affects our lives and professions. 
To acquire knowledge on how interregional differences in economic well-being may 
come about.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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METHODS OF EVALUATION 
 
There will be five methods of evaluation for the course. 
Port activities -- 30% 
Students must make meaningful observations in six of the first nine ports visited. Each 
student will prepare a research report on his/her observations of the concepts of economic 
geography displayed in the port areas. Observations should not be limited to tours, but 
should include those from transportation to tours and from the ship. In addition to 
observations, students should gather information by interviewing local people, especially 
local business people. What do they think about their economy? How is the population of 
the area going through change? Take note of the cost of common items, such as a bottle 
of water, a can of Coke or American and local beer, taxi rides, a pair of pants. No need to 
purchase these items, just get the cost. Reflect on the influence of culture, local laws and 
standard of living on the economic geography. Explain how observations confirm or 
contradict concepts covered in the course.
Final Exam -- 25% 
The final exam will consist of five essay questions to test students' conceptual 
understanding of the course material. The exam will be comprehensive, covering all 
material over the course. There will be a choice from seven questions. 
Quizzes -- 10% 
All quizzes will be pop quizzes on assigned readings and lecture material. 
Research Paper -- 20% 
Each student will be required to prepare a research paper on an economic geography 
topic of his/her choice. Some examples are: the progress in ethnic businesses, the changes 
in gender roles in the economy, the impacts of population controls in a specific country,
and the transition in retailing in a specific country. 
Constructive Class Participation and Attendance -- 15% 
Regular attendance is important. Roll will be taken every class day. If you arrive late, you 
will lose points. If you miss a class for a legitimate reason, notify the instructor. 
Otherwise it will be counted as an unexcused absence. You will be held responsible for 
all material covered or assigned in class whether or not you are present. Participation 
includes comments and questions made during the class and the interest shown by 
students in and out of the class.

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