Guo Chen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Geography & Global Urban Studies
Michigan State University
Ph.D., Geography, Pennsylvania State University
M.S. & B.S., Nanjing University
Teaching for engaged learning is integral to my scholarship. Critical engagement with simulation games, documentaries, and various types of visuals has been extensively used in my courses. Students have created remarkable works including posters with maps, infographics, and photo documentaries, some of which are showcased on respective course websites. Students in my Honors Research Seminar have won awards for their research projects.
Courses at MSU
GEO813: Seminar in Urban and Economic Geography (Rated 1.0 Highest Score; 1 strongly agree, Spring 2023)
GUSP/GEO817: China and Globalization (Rated 1.0 Highest Score)
UGS 200H: Honors Research Seminar on Global Slums, Migration, and Inequality
GEO492: Geographic Research Problems: Inequality and Poverty
GEO480: Geography Senior Seminar: History, Philosophy and Methodology in Geography (Rated 1.5)
GEO413: Urban Geography (Spring 2023 & 2024)
GEO337: Geography of Asia-Pacific (Rated 1.2 High Score; Asian Studies Minor Exit Course & APA Studies Minor Course)
GEO113: Introduction to Economic Geography (Small, Large, & Honors; Rated 1.5)
ISS315: Global Diversity and Interdependence (Small & Honors, Rated 1.3 High Score)
ISS310: People and Environment
Taught Economic Geography and Global Economy as graduate instructor
2021&2022
“Overall I really enjoyed the course…”
“Professor Chen was one of my favorite professors this year. She was so accommodating and always worked with her students to make sure they can participate and be a part of the class.”
“I have really enjoyed the readings and I find the contents really interesting!”
“I loved this professor and class, she did an amazing job communicating outside of class, presenting engaging material, and enjoyed the assignments for this class. I could tell she was really passionate about the topic which made it overall a better experience than other classes!”
“The information and topics presented were incredibly well done and easy to follow…”
“Professor Chen, Thank you for the additional resources for researching more about disability…”
“Thanks for the great semester! I had a lot of fun and I felt you taught a valuable course for me personally… the classes… were very nice…I wanted to say thanks for all you’ve done.”
“Great class!”
“Thank you very much…for highlighting the theme of groups (rural, indigenous, and the poor) being left out in modernization in so many Asia Pacific countries (while also discussing the changing socio-economic and environmental geographies)…it’s both sad and fascinating to learn…thank you!”
“Overall, I enjoyed the course and felt the lessons were valuable.”
“I loved Dr. Chen. She is a great professor and wants all of us to succeed.”
“Was very accommodating and presented her content in a very meaningful way.”
“The professor for this class was great, and it was a pleasure to learn from her this semester.”
“The professor was very knowledgeable about all of the topics and always had very detailed and in-depth presentations.”