Applying Geography Course Projects to Issues in City Resilience and Global Connectivity

Abstract

Globalization would appear to be a subject that easily could be addressed in geography classrooms, yet this is not always the case. In terms of pedagogy, many geographers are concerned whether the field has been adequately engaging various components of this topic (e.g., connectivity, core-periphery), especially in terms of making the subject matter relevant to students. This article presents the results of a recent course project situated at the intersection of city-level resilience to hazards and connectivity with the global economy, utilizing SWOT analysis. The student projects demonstrated that this comparatively simple analytical tool was a useful means for exploring and integrating key topics in globalization and urban-economic geography, while also facilitating a problem-based learning environment.

Key Words::

• geographic education
• globalization
• urban geography
• economic geography
• hazards

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ronald V. Kalafsky

Ronald V. Kalafsky is an associate professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. His teaching and research interests encompass regional economic development and the export performance and trade-related challenges of advanced manufacturers.

Helen M. Rosko

Helen M. Rosko recently received her master of science degree from the Department of Geography at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Her research interests include development geographies, focusing on livelihoods and place-making, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Appalachia. She currently works in the Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA.