Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue
GEOG 113C - Geography of East and Southeast Asia
Professor: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue
Department of Global Studies and Geography
Hofstra University
Hempstead, New York 11549 USA
Jean-paul.Rodrigue@hofstra.edu
Phone: (516) 463-5765. Fax: (516) 463-6519.
Companion Web site (under construction)
This course covers a geographical analysis of several modern states in East and Southeast Asia, commonly known as Pacific Asia. Pacific Asian economies have experienced various phases of economic development since the end of World War II. Some like Japan are among the most advanced economies in the world, while others have been left behind. This region has strongly been shaped by globalization and the emergence of the Chinese population giant is likely to transform the region well into the 21st century.
Topics will include geographical and socioeconomic features of: Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and other countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Problems and prospects of Asian development in the region as well as geographical issues related to urbanization, transport systems, agriculture and resource development are covered.
The main objectives of the course are:
- An overview of the geographical features underlining the vastness, heterogeneity and the complexity of East and Southeast Asia.
- An inquiry on specific historical, economic, social, cultural and political environments related to each Pacific Asian country.
- An understanding current issues, problems and prospects about Pacific Asia from a multidisciplinary perspective.
It is expected that at the end of the course, the student will have a good understanding of contemporary geographical issues of Pacific Asia.
PowerPoint Slides
- Topic 1 - The Pacific Asian Space
- Topic 2 - Historical Geography of Pacific Asia
- Topic 3 - Economy and Society
- Topic 4 - Japan and its Corporate Hegemony
- Topic 5 - China, the Awakening Giant
- Topic 6 - East Asian Tigers: Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong
- Topic 7 - Southeast Asia
- Topic 8 - The Excluded: North Korea, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia
Maps
Dr. Rodrigue's research interests mainly cover the fields of economic and transport geography as they relate to freight distribution. Area interests involve East and Southeast Asia (particularly China) and North America, notably concerning transportation, distribution and trade issues. Specific topics cover transport systems and logistics, global supply chains and production networks, gateways and transport corridors, urban regions, economic integration, international trade and regional development. Current projects involve:
- The Governance of Intermodal Transportation Assets
- The Transport Geography of Logistics
- Gateways, Corridors and Inland Freight Distribution
- Globalization and Transport Terminals