Spatial Economics

  • Type: Lecture / Exercise
  • Target group: M. Sc.
  • Semester: WS
  • Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Ingrid Ott
  • SWS: 2
  • ECTS: 4.5
Notes

The course covers the following topics:

  • Geography, trade and development
  • Geography and economic theory
  • Core models of economic geography and empirical evidence
  • Agglomeration, home market effect, and spatial wages
  • Applications and extensions

Learning objectives:

The student

  • analyses how spatial distribution of economic activity is determined.
  • uses quantitative methods within the context of economic models.
  • has basic knowledge of formal-analytic methods.
  • understands the link between economic theory and its empirical applications.
  • understands to what extent concentration processes result from agglomeration and dispersion forces.
  • is able to determine theory based policy recommendations.

Recommendations:

Basic knowledge of micro- and macroeconomics is assumed, as taught in the courses Economics I [2600012], and Economics II [2600014]. An interest in mathematical modeling is advantageous.

Workload:

The total workload for this course is approximately 135 hours.

  • Classes: 30 h
  • Self-study: 45 h
  • Exam and exam preparation: 60 h

Assessment:

The assessment consists of a written exam (60 minutes) (following §4(2), 1 of the examination regulation).

Prerequisites

Recommendations:

Basic knowledge of micro- and macroeconomics is assumed, as taught in the courses Economics I [2600012], and Economics II [2600014]. In addition, an interest in quantitative-mathematical modeling is required. The attendance of the course Introduction to economic policy [2560280] is recommended.

Bibliography

Steven Brakman, Harry Garretsen, Charles van Marrewijk (2009): The New Introduction to Geographical Economics, 2nd ed, Cambridge University Press.

Weitere Literatur wird in der Vorlesung bekanntgegeben.
(Further literature will be announced in the lecture.)