Political Geography

Unit 1 – Geopolitical Theories & Key Concepts

Unit 2 – Borders and Territorial Boundaries

Unit 3 – The nation–state system

Unit 4 – Globalization and Supranational Bodies

Unit 5 – Electoral Geography and Voting

Unit 6 – Resource Distribution in Political Economy

Unit 7 – Identity Politics and Nationalism

Unit 8 – Geopolitics of climate change

Unit 9 – Conflicts, wars and terrorism

Unit 10 – Colonialism and Post-Colonial Impacts

Unit 11 – Geopolitics of Cyberspace & Tech

Unit 12 – Urban Political Geography

## What do you learn in Political Geography

Political Geography explores how power and politics shape the world around us. You'll study borders, territories, and how governments control space. The course covers topics like geopolitics, electoral geography, nationalism, and globalization. You'll analyze how political decisions impact landscapes, resources, and people's lives at local, national, and global scales.

## Is Political Geography hard?

Political Geography can be challenging, but it's not impossible. The concepts can get pretty complex, especially when you're dealing with global issues and power dynamics. You'll need to stay on top of current events and be ready to think critically about how geography influences politics. The readings can be dense, but the discussions are usually pretty interesting.

## Tips for taking Political Geography in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Keep up with the news, especially international events
3. Learn to read maps critically - they're not just pretty pictures
4. Practice applying theories to real-world situations
5. Watch documentaries on border conflicts or geopolitical issues
6. Read "Prisoners of Geography" by Tim Marshall for a great intro
7. Join a Model UN club to get hands-on experience with global politics
8. Create mind maps to connect different concepts and regions
9. Discuss topics with classmates - debating helps you understand different perspectives

## Common pre-requisites for Political Geography

1. Introduction to Human Geography: This course covers the basics of how humans interact with their environment. You'll learn about population patterns, cultural landscapes, and economic activities.

2. World Regional Geography: In this class, you'll get a tour of the world's major regions. You'll study the physical and cultural characteristics that make each area unique.

## Classes similar to Political Geography

1. International Relations: This course dives into how countries interact with each other. You'll learn about diplomacy, foreign policy, and global governance.

2. Comparative Politics: Here, you'll study different political systems around the world. You'll compare how governments function and why some are more stable than others.

3. Urban Geography: This class focuses on cities and how they're organized. You'll explore urban planning, segregation, and the politics of urban development.

4. Environmental Policy: In this course, you'll learn about how governments address environmental issues. You'll study topics like climate change policy and resource management.

## Majors related to Political Geography

1. Geography: Focuses on understanding the Earth's physical and human features. Students learn about spatial analysis, mapping, and the relationships between people and their environment.

2. Political Science: Concentrates on the study of government systems, political behavior, and public policy. Students analyze political theories, institutions, and processes at local, national, and international levels.

3. International Studies: Examines global issues from multiple perspectives. Students gain a broad understanding of world cultures, economies, and political systems, often with a focus on specific regions.

4. Environmental Studies: Explores the relationship between humans and the natural world. Students learn about environmental challenges, sustainability, and policy solutions to ecological problems.

## What can you do with a degree in Political Geography?

1. Foreign Service Officer: Works in embassies or consulates abroad, representing their country's interests. They analyze political situations, negotiate agreements, and assist citizens overseas.

2. Urban Planner: Develops plans for land use in cities and communities. They work with local governments to design sustainable, efficient, and equitable urban spaces.

3. GIS Specialist: Uses Geographic Information Systems to analyze spatial data and create maps. They work in various fields, from environmental management to election planning.

4. Policy Analyst: Researches and evaluates public policies for government agencies or think tanks. They use their understanding of geography and politics to recommend solutions to complex social issues.

## Political Geography FAQs

1. How is Political Geography different from Political Science? Political Geography focuses more on the spatial aspects of politics, like borders and territories. It looks at how geography influences political decisions and vice versa.

2. Do I need to be good at memorizing countries and capitals? Not really. While knowing locations is helpful, the course is more about understanding spatial relationships and power dynamics.

3. Is fieldwork required for this course? It depends on the professor, but many Political Geography courses include field trips or projects. These might involve analyzing local political landscapes or mapping community issues.

Geography

Political Science

1.6 Sphere of influence

1.5 Geopolitical codes

1.4 Critical geopolitics

1.3 World-systems theory

1.2 Rimland theory

1.1 Heartland theory

2.6 Exclusive economic zones

2.5 Territorial waters

2.4 Territorial sovereignty

2.3 Borderlands

2.2 Border disputes

2.1 Types of borders

3.2 State formation

3.1 Westphalian sovereignty

3.3 Stateless nations

3.4 Multinational states

3.5 Separatism and irredentism

3.6 Devolution and federalism

4.1 United Nations

4.2 European Union

4.3 World Trade Organization

4.4 International Monetary Fund

4.5 World Bank

4.6 Regional trade blocs

5.1 Gerrymandering

5.2 Swing states

5.3 Rural-urban divide

5.4 Voter turnout

5.6 Redistricting

5.5 Electoral systems

6.1 Resource curse

6.2 Dutch disease

6.3 Rentier states

6.4 Energy geopolitics

6.5 Water politics

6.6 Food security

7.1 Ethnic nationalism

7.2 Civic nationalism

7.3 Diaspora politics

7.4 Indigenous rights

7.5 Language policy

7.6 Religious nationalism

8.3 Climate change adaptation

8.4 Climate change mitigation

8.5 Climate diplomacy

8.6 Climate security

8.1 Climate refugees

8.2 Climate justice

9.1 Territorial disputes

9.2 Proxy wars

9.3 Asymmetric warfare

9.4 Terrorism and counter-terrorism

9.5 Peacekeeping and peacebuilding

9.6 Humanitarian intervention

10.1 Scramble for Africa

10.2 Decolonization

10.3 Neo-colonialism

10.4 Settler colonialism

10.5 Postcolonial theory

10.6 Subaltern studies

11.1 Internet governance

11.2 Cyber warfare

11.3 Digital divide

11.4 Smart cities

11.5 Surveillance and privacy

11.6 Tech diplomacy

12.1 Urban planning

12.2 Gentrification

12.3 Gated communities

12.4 Informal settlements

12.5 Right to the city

12.6 Sanctuary cities

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