Summer 2018  |  POL 3477 Section 001: Political Economy of Development (83158)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Lecture
Credits:
3 Credits
Grading Basis:
Student Option
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
In Person Term Based
Class Attributes:
UMNTC Liberal Education Requirement
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
06/11/2018 - 08/03/2018
Tue, Thu 05:30PM - 08:00PM
UMTC, West Bank
Blegen Hall 430
Enrollment Status:
Closed (26 of 25 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
Political processes/problems associated with economic development. Political economy of underdevelopment/development. Problems of state building, development of political institutions.
Class Notes:
http://classinfo.umn.edu/?varga081+POL3477+Summer2018
Class Description:
Why are some countries wealthy while others remain poor and often mired in violent conflict? This class unpacks this question by paying attention to the interaction of political, social, and economic institutions in countries around the world. Along the way, we will wrestle with key conceptual issues. For instance, we will discuss approaches to defining and measuring poverty and development. In addition, we will emphasize the practical side of development work by engaging policy concepts and work, and doing in-class simulations.
Who Should Take This Class?:
The topics covered will appeal to those interested in international development practice, the roots of poverty at home and abroad, as well as those who have an interest in the politics of other countries.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of the course students will be able to:
-Navigate major debates in measuring poverty and development,
-Critically assess major theories of economic development and trace their development over time,
-Discuss the ways in which geographical and historical legacies constrain the political and economic development of countries,
-Comment on how domestic and international factors favor some economic development strategies over others,
-Characterize a country's welfare regime and place it in comparative perspective,
-Critically assess policy solutions to development issues around the world,
-Make explicit connections between development challenges faced in the developing and developed countries.
Grading:
Participation 20%
Group Presentation 20%
Short Papers 40%
Take-Home Final 20%
Exam Format:
I require a 7 to 10-page final paper instead of an in-class final. The paper will be in response to a prompt distributed the last week of class. I will offer two prompts. You will select one. The finished product is due on the day of your final exam. No additional reading beyond what is in this syllabus is required, though outstanding work must refer to some of the recommended readings.
Class Format:
Classes will be split roughly 50% lectures, 30% small discussion groups, and 20% in-class simulations and exercises.
Workload:
About 25-35 pages of reading per class.
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/83158/1185
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
26 February 2018

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