Course Assignments
This course uses diverse, hands-on assignments designed to build practical skills while deepening your understanding of economic geography.
All assignments are designed to be "AI-resistant" – they require personal reflection, local observation, hands-on GIS work, and authentic engagement with your geographic context. These are skills that will serve you throughout your career.
Assignment Overview
Total Points: 1000
Weekly Engagement Activities
Ongoing Throughout Semester
150 points totalVideo Reflection Posts
Create short personal video responses to prompts that connect course concepts to your own experiences and observations. These require you to:
- Show your face and use your voice (no AI substitutes!)
- Connect concepts to your local geographic context
- Share personal observations and reflections
- Demonstrate critical thinking about economic geography
In-Class Discussion Participation
Active participation in small-group discussions during class meetings:
- Come prepared having watched lectures and completed readings
- Engage respectfully with diverse perspectives
- Apply concepts to real-world examples
- Ask thoughtful questions and contribute meaningfully
Concept Application Exercises
Short written analyses that apply chapter concepts to current events or local contexts:
- Analyze contemporary economic geography issues
- Apply theoretical frameworks to real situations
- Practice clear, concise geographic writing
- Develop critical analysis skills
Why These Activities?
These activities require personal engagement, local observation, and authentic participation – things AI cannot do. They help you develop:
- Geographic thinking and spatial awareness
- Ability to connect theory to practice
- Communication and presentation skills
- Critical analysis of economic processes
Place-Based Analysis Storymaps
Three Major Projects
300 points (3 × 100)Create ArcGIS StoryMaps that combine spatial analysis with narrative storytelling. Each project builds different skills while requiring original fieldwork and personal engagement with your local area.
Assignment 1: Economic Landscape Analysis
Due: Week 5
Conduct a walking or driving survey of your local area to document economic activity. Take original photographs, map locations, and analyze spatial patterns using course concepts.
- Original photography required
- Minimum 15-20 documented locations
- Analysis using Chapter 1-3 concepts
- ArcGIS StoryMap format
Assignment 2: Supply Chain Investigation
Due: Week 10
Trace the supply chain of a product you use regularly. Investigate its geographic journey from raw materials to your hands, analyzing uneven development patterns.
- Select a physical product you use
- Research and map supply chain stages
- Interview workers or managers (if possible)
- Analyze geographic patterns of production
Assignment 3: Consumer Geography Project
Due: Week 14
Document and analyze your own consumption patterns over one week. Connect personal behavior to broader theories about retail, consumer behavior, and economic geography.
- Track all purchases for one week
- Map where you shop and why
- Analyze patterns in your consumption
- Reflect on geographic influences
GIS Lab Assignments
Four Hands-On Labs
200 points (4 × 50)Build practical GIS skills while examining the spatial dimensions of economic activity. Each lab provides hands-on experience with real datasets and professional-grade GIS software.
Lab 1: Geographic Labor-Market Patterns
Due: Week 4
Use data and maps from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to understand spatial patterns in different occupations across the United States.
- Work with BLS employment data
- Create thematic maps
- Analyze spatial patterns
- Interpret results geographically
Lab 2: Industrial Specialization
Due: Week 7
Examine the concentration of particular industries in Chicago, IL using ArcGIS Pro. Learn about location quotients and industrial clustering.
- Introduction to ArcGIS Pro
- Calculate location quotients
- Map industrial clusters
- Analyze metropolitan specialization
Lab 3: Locational Analysis - DFW Businesses
Due: Week 11
Map breweries, wineries, and chain restaurants in the DFW region. Explore differences in locational strategies between business types.
- Collect business location data
- Create multi-layer maps
- Perform spatial analysis
- Compare locational patterns
Lab 4: ESRI Business Analyst Pro
Due: Week 13
Complete the ESRI online training module for Business Analyst Pro. Learn professional tools for market analysis and site selection.
- ESRI online training platform
- Business Analyst tools Demographic analysis
- Site selection methods
Collaborative Research Project
Multi-Stage Group Project
350 points totalWork in groups of 2-3 to conduct original research on an economic geography topic. This capstone project allows you to apply everything you've learned while developing professional research skills.
Stage 1: Proposal & Peer Review
50 points | Due: Week 8
- Form groups and select research topic
- Develop research question and methods
- Write formal proposal
- Conduct peer review of other proposals
- Revise based on feedback
Stage 2: Data Collection & Analysis
100 points | Due: Week 12
- Collect original data (surveys, interviews, observations)
- Perform spatial analysis using GIS
- Analyze patterns and relationships
- Document methods and findings
- Prepare preliminary results
Stage 3: Final Deliverables
200 points | Due: May 7, 11:00 AM
- ESRI StoryMap: Visual presentation of research
- Video Presentation: 10-15 minute group presentation
- Research Paper: 2000-3000 words, academic format Complete bibliography and citations
Research Topics
Topics will be provided by the instructor and focus on economic geography issues relevant to the DFW region and beyond. Topics may include:
-
Gentrification and neighborhood change
- Food deserts and retail access
- Industrial location and agglomeration
- Gig economy and labor markets
- Commercial real estate patterns
- Tourism and local economic development
Why Collaborative Research?
This project develops essential professional skills:
- Teamwork: Collaborate effectively with peers
- Research Design: Develop and execute research plans
- Data Collection: Gather and analyze original data
- Communication: Present findings to multiple audiences
- Critical Thinking: Apply theory to real-world problems
General Submission Guidelines
Where to Submit
- All assignments submitted via TCU Online
- StoryMaps: Submit URL link
- Labs: Upload completed files
- Follow specific format requirements
Late Work Policy
- Communicate early if you need extension
- Late work accepted with penalty
- 10% deduction per day late
- Exceptions for documented emergencies
Academic Integrity
- All work must be your own
- Properly cite all sources
- No AI-generated content
- Collaboration only on group projects
AI Usage Policy
This course has been intentionally designed with "AI-resistant" assignments that require personal engagement, original fieldwork, and authentic participation. Using AI to complete assignments is considered academic misconduct.
Acceptable: Using AI for brainstorming, editing, or understanding concepts (with disclosure)
Not Acceptable: Having AI write your papers, create your maps, or complete your analysis