UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND ARTS OF OKLAHOMA
ECONOMICS 4333

REGIONAL ECONOMICS

FALL SEMESTER 2011 SYLLABUS

Tu: 5:30-8:25PM

Course Information

Instructor: Dr. Erik Guzik

Contact: eguzik@usao.edu

Office: 312 Troutt Hall Phone: 574-1269

Office Hours: MWF: 10:00-12:00, 1:30-2:30 TuTH: 9:00-9:30, 3:00-3:30

Website: http://www.usao.edu/eguzik

Course Description

Regional economics seeks to understand and improve processes of production, distribution, and consumption at the local level (whether in terms of a college community, a town, a state, or larger geographic region). Given the many conditions contributing to the success (or failure) of local economies, an understanding of regional economics necessarily requires insight into how local economies connect to numerous other regional institutions and activities. The study of regional economics therefore involves examination of such issues as regional innovation policies, creativity initiatives, the quality of education systems, health care, entrepreneurship, transportation, energy sources, the arts, quality of life, and numerous other concerns.

This course will take an active approach to regional economics, applying creative problem solving tools and techniques toward better understanding and improving economic conditions within regions and communities of southwest Oklahoma. Students will learn about the past, the present, and the possible future of production and distribution in Oklahoma, and devise plans of action for improving some aspect of local economies and communities.

Students will choose specific areas of focus, and may participate in the following projects (or suggest their own):

1. Planning, managing, and evaluating USAO student activities at the Rock Island Arts Festival in Chickasha on October 2 and 3;

2. Assisting with the planning and development of a new Creative Arts District in Chickasha ;

3. Developing a business plan for a new technology-based product or business idea of benefit to Oklahoma as part of the Oklahoma Governor's Cup competition;

4. Developing a new business idea for Chickasha or southwest Oklahoma;

5. Assisting with the development and implementation of a new creativity program for use in Oklahoma K12 schools;

6. Helping to develop a new online Web 2.0 app for the above creativity program.

Texts and Readings

Any assigned readings for the course will be posted online. Others will come from the online text listed below:

An Introduction to Regional Economics. Edgar M. Hoover and Frank Giarratani. A classic, though somewhat dated, examination of the issues and theories surrounding regional economics. Available for FREE (yes, free) online.

Course Requirements

Class Assignments and Projects. In-class assignments that seek to promote understanding of local economic issues and concerns. You will learn and apply creative problem solving techniques to different topics and areas of concern.

Major Project and Action Plan. A course project focusing on a local issue of your choice. The project should identify a local area of concern (or possible improvement) as detailed above, and present an action plan detailing how the concern might be answered (or some improvement realized). A one page project proposal and a three page outline/rough draft will be due. The final project will be due by the final exam date.

Course Grading

Class Assignments..............................................20%

Project Proposal...................................................15%

Project Rough Draft….....................….................20%

Final Project..........................................................25%

Final Presentation.................................................20%

COURSE OUTLINE

↓ Material Covered So Far ↓

↑ Material Covered So Far ↑

↓ Current Material ↓

Part I: Introduction to Course

The Increasing Importance of Creativity in Regional Economic Development

An Introduction to Creative Problem Solving

(a) Richard Florida: The Creative Class

(b) The Six Thinking Hats, Chap. 1

The Nature and Scope of Regional Economics

(a) What is Regional Economics?

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 1

(b) Foundations of Regional Economics

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 1

↑ Current Material ↑

Part II: Regional Economics--Regions, People, and True Development

What is a Region?

(a) The Nature of Regions

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 9

(b) Activities within a Region

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 9 (skim)

The Location of People

(d) The Importance of People in Regional Development

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 10

(e) Income Differentials and the Supply of Labor

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 10

(f) Labor Orientation: the Demand for Labor at a Location

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 10

Project Rough Draft Due: October 27, 2009

How Regions Develop

(g) Basic Trends and Questions

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 11

(h) What Causes Regional Growth?

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 11

(i) Interregional Trade

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 11

(j) The Role of Cities (and Towns) in Regional Development

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 11

The Kauffman Foundation: The New Economy Index

What is True Regional Economic Development?

(k) Quality of Life Issues

Regional Objectives and Policies

(l) The Growing Concern with Regional Development

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 12

(m) Objectives

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 12

(n) Available Tools

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 12

(o) Basic Issues of Regional Development Strategy

Hoover and Giarratani, Chap. 12

Part III: Conclusions

A Question Reconsidered: What is a Regional Economics?

(a) True Regional Development

(b) New Plans of Action