Political Geography.

Catalog description

This course is an introduction to political geography. It focuses on where the political and spatial converge, illuminating the complex relationship between geography and power on a variety of scales—from local to global. In this course we will explore the theories and methods of political geography to better understand the physical and ideological characteristics of the State and to analyze important historical and modern political phenomena such as territory, nationalism, imperialism, war, terrorism, migration, environmentalism, laws of the sea, and economic development. In addition, the ideas, methods, and perspectives imbibed from the readings and lectures will be used to study contemporary geopolitical issues in select States and regions around the world. At the conclusion of this course, it is expected that students will have developed a greater awareness of the dynamic linkages between geography, international relations, and global affairs; a sound grasp of many key terms, debates, and methodologies that permeate this broad academic field; and the ability to make sense of past and current local and world events through the fascinating lens of political geography.