Module Identifier GGM1940  
Module Title POSITIONING REGIONAL AND LOCAL ECONOMIES  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Professor Martin R Jones  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Pre-Requisite Enrollment in the MA in Local and Regional Economic Development.  
Co-Requisite GGM2440  
Course delivery Lecture   14 x 1 hrs each (mixture of lecture/seminar)  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment PROJECT ESSAYS Two 7,000 word 'project essays' addressing the main themes discussed in the formal teaching sessions (one at the end of each semester - 35% each essay), 70%70%
Semester Assessment POLICY ESSAYS Two of the oral presentations are formally submitted as 'policy essays' (max 2,500 words each - 10% each essay), 20%20%
Semester Assessment ORAL PRESENTATIONS. During the module, students undertake three to four seminar presentations (depending on the group size) related to the synopsis of individual themes within the broad field of economic development, 10% of the module mark will be based on the quality of these, 10%10%
Supplementary Assessment Resubmission of failed components 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
  1. Display a scholarly knowledge and understanding of the main processes and factors acting upon regional and local economies in recent years.   
  2. Exhibit knowledge of a wide range of theoretical perspectives on the changing nature of economic development.
  3. Display knowledge of empirical developments occurring in the locality with respect to the main institutions and strategies for economic development.   
  4. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the spatial and political aspects of economic processes.
  5. Show awareness of the connections between regulation, governance and scale.
  6. Appreciate policy formulation, systems of policy delivery, and issues of sustainability.
  7. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the processes of policy formulation, systems of policy delivery, and issues of sustainability.
  8. Develop an advanced range of skills in individual study, oral discussion, team-working, and written presentations.

Brief description

It begins with a number of sessions titled 'The Emergence of Economic Development' that trace the history and institutions of regional and local economic development. Through further sessions titled 'Practising Economic Development' the module uses policy and sector case studies to examine the ways in which processes act and impact on regional and local economies. The module concludes with a number of sessions titled 'Theory and Economic Development', which trace the evolution of critical thought and interpretation in regional and local economic development, particularly in relation to broader theoretical debates in human and economic geography.

Content

Introduction_
 1. Policy Relevance and Economic Geography   

Section 1: The Emergence of Economic Development_
 2. Local Industrial Development Policies to 1940
3. The Golden-Age? Regional Policy and Spatial Keynesianism
4. Local Economic Strategies in the 1980s and 1990s
5. Devolution, Constitutional Change, and Economic Governance

Section 2: Practising Economic Development_
 6. Labour Market Policy
7. Inward Investment
8. Small Firms and Community Enterprise
9. Rural and Urban Economic Developments   

Section 3: Theory and Economic Development_
10. Cumulative Growth Approaches
11. Regulation Approaches
12. Growth Machines and Urban Regimes
13. The New Institutionalism and New Regionalism
14. Relational Economic Geographies and Beyond   

Module Skills

Problem_solving Students will be expected to develop their problem solving skills in the context of the Project Essays and Policy Essays. The seminar format of much of the course will help to develop this skill.  
Research skills Students will undertake a significant degree of independent researching for the Project Essays and Policy Essays. Equivalent preparatory work will be required for the Oral Presentation.  
Communication The seminar format of much of the course will help to develop the communication skills of the students (in the formal teaching sessions and the reading groups). This is assessed in the context of the Oral Presentations.  
Improving own Learning and Performance There is a strong emphasis in the course on student-led learning. This is a key feature of preparing for discussions in seminars and researching for the Project Essays, Policy Essays, and Oral Presentations.  
Team work The seminar component of this module involves group-based discussions and activities. It is not formally assessed.  
Information Technology Students will be expected to use Information Technology in the presentation of their coursework. They will also become familiar with the use of Internet in the provision of academic writing, for example on-line journals (assessed through the Project Essays and Policy Essays). They will also be expected to use Powerpoint when doing their Oral Presentations.  
Application of Number Some reading by students will discuss empirical research based on numerical analysis (not assessed).  
Personal Development and Career planning The module provides knowledge and understanding that is central to teaching geography at the tertiary and higher education sector level. Students who wish to pursue careers within the discipline of Applied Economic Development will be encouraged to situate themselves, and their work, within the broad sweep of recent developments in this field.  
Subject Specific Skills Important subject specific skills are developed in the context of this module and are assessed in the Project Essays, Policy Essays and Oral Presentations.  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Amin, A. (ed) (1994) Post-Fordism: A Reader Blackwell (Oxford)
Amin, A. and Thrift, N. (1994) Globalisation, Institutions and Regional Development in Europe Oxford: Oxford University Press
Atkinson B, Baker P and Milward B (1996) Economic Policy Macmillan, London
Bennett, R. and McCoshan, A. (1993) Enterprise and Human Resource Paul Chapman, London
Brenner, N. (2004) New State Spaces Oxford University Press
Campbell, M. (1990) Local Economic Policy Cassell, London
Cochrane, A. (1993) Whatever Happened to Local Government? Open University Press, Buckingham
Cooke, P. and Morgan, K. (1998) Associational Economies Oxford: Oxford University Press
Eisenschitz, A. and Gough, J. (1993) The Politics of Local Economic Policy Macmillan, London
Healey, P. (1997) Collaborative Planning Macmillan, London
Imrie R and Thomas H (1999) British Urban Policy Sage, London
Lauria, M. (1997) Reconstructing Urban Regime Theory Sage, London

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7