Learning Outcomes

After the course, the student will
- have a high level of understanding of the structure of Sweden’s social and economic geography, the historical background and current trends. That includes the distribution of population, the geography of production (manufacturing and services), urban system changes and the characteristics of Swedish cities, the specific problems of sparsely populated areas, and local and regional planning and policies.

Content

The purpose of this course is to provide the students with an overview of the structure of Sweden’s social and economic geography, the historical background and current trends. Topics covered include the distribution of population, the geography of production (manufacturing and services), urban system changes and the characteristics of Swedish cities, the specific problems of sparsely populated areas, and local and regional planning and policies. Special emphasis will be put upon recent structural changes in the Swedish economy and its repercussions on the regional patterns of employment and production. The course should be of particular interest to students of human geography and other social sciences, notably political science and economic history.

Instructions

Instruction is in the form of lectures and seminars. There is no formal tutorial system, but since most classes are modest in size there are good opportunities for student/teacher contact.

Assessment

Written exam.