Political Geography

Course Main Objective

Define the concept of political geography, determine the basics and principles of political geography and focus on role of the natural, human, economic and administrative geographic factors which positively or negatively affect the status of state politically.

Study origin of the state as a political unit and its evolution and foreign relation.

Learn about the world political blocs, analyze the world political map and link with the concepts of political geography in particular and analyze the present political events and link them with the concepts of political geography to conclude results.

Study some political problems in the world, develop skill of linking the sustainable development plans in different sectors and their role in the economic and political development of countries on regional and international level and give examples of such countries which have achieved high development rates which in turn affected its political structure and influence nationally, regionally and internationally.

Course Learning Outcomes

• 1. Knowledge and Comprehension
• 1.1 Interpret the natural, human, economic and administrative geographic factors that positively or negatively affecting the status of state politically.
• 2. Skills
• 2.1 Justify diversities on the political map of world continents.  
• 2.2 Use the quantitative methods and GIS programs and techniques to prepare and submit group and individual projects.
• 3. Values
• 3.1 Appreciate teamwork and self-work, community responsibility and citizenship.

Course Content:

- Political geography: its definition, evolution of its concept and approaches
- State as a phenomenon in the political geography
- Core areas and capitals of states
- The geo-political borders
- The political geography of the sea
- Political map of the world
- Strategic views on the political geography

Textbook (s)

Primary Sources:
- Al-Isawei, Fayez. M. (2014). The Contemporary Political Geography. Dar AL-Marefa, Alexandria
Secondary Sources:
- Al-Feqi, Ibrahim. M. A. (2007). Political Geography: Basics and Applications. Al-Rushid Bookstore, Riyadh.
- Haroun, Ali. A. (2001). Basics of Political Geography. Dar al-Fikr Al-Arabi, Cairo.
- Colin Flint. Introduction to Geopolitics: Tensions, Conflicts and Resolutions. (2006) Publisher

Course ID: GEOG 411