Business Economics MA(SocSci)
Economic Geography ECON4103
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: Adam Smith Business School
- Credits: 15
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
Understanding how and why cities evolve, how regions specialise and grow (or decline), and how these changes relate to other economic and non-economic outcomes is crucial for a large range of policy questions. Local and national governments in countries at all stages of development are concerned with, for example, investments in transport infrastructure, policies governing trade and migration, directed regional development policy, the merits of special economic zones, and the impact of urban pollution. This course will introduce students to: the empirical evidence on cities and regions; the historical context; the theoretical concepts underpinning agglomerations and specialisation; and subsequent policy and applications.
Timetable
10 x 2-hour lectures.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
1. Written assignment, including essay; Individual; 1500 words; 60%; ILOs 1-3, 5, 7.
2. Oral assessment & presentation; Group; 20-30 minutes; 40%; ILOs 4-6.
Course Aims
The aims of this course are for students to gain:
■ an understanding of the empirical facts on the nature of cities and regions and how they change over time;
■ the ability to analyse what causes changes in cities and regions, and how they relate to changes in other economic and non-economic outcomes;
■ the ability to describe and critically analyse policies related to economic geography;
■ the ability to take responsibility for their own learning (self-directed learning), and to acquire skills relevant to a wide range of situations beyond this course: how to think analytically and to express themselves clearly and directly.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students should be able to:
1. describe in detail using evidence the nature of cities and regions and their evolution over time;
2. apply economic models to analyse in-depth the underlying causes of agglomeration and regional specialisation and their connections with other economic and non-economic outcomes;
3. construct focused arguments based on analysis of policy using coherent general principles and effectively communicate to an expert as well as non-expert audience;
4. effectively work in groups to communicate the nature and effectives of government policies relating to economic geography;