Spring 2019  |  POL 3477 Section 001: Political Economy of Development (66138)

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
 
01/22/2019 - 05/06/2019
Mon 06:20PM - 08:50PM
UMTC, West Bank
Blegen Hall 120
Enrollment Status:
Open (53 of 55 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
How can the vast disparities of wealth between countries be explained? Why have some countries in the post-colonial world, in particular, those of East Asia, experienced stunning economic growth, while those in others parts have not? We will explore inequality among nations through an engagement with competing explanations from multiple disciplines. Do free markets, the legacies of colonialism, state power, culture, or geography offer the most persuasive account of current patterns of global inequality? The course also examines what we mean by "development" and exposes students to cutting-edge debates in contemporary development studies. By the end of the course, students will have a better understanding of the causes of and possible solutions to global inequality.
Class Notes:
http://classinfo.umn.edu/?POL3477+Spring2019
Class Description:
Why are there such vast disparities of wealth among countries? What do we mean by "development," and what has been the role of rich countries in producing and perpetuating poverty? What are the costs of development? What is sustainable development? Is foreign aid an effective way to help solve development inequalities? In this we will grapple with some of these important questions. We will start the class with a discussion of how scholars define development and then we will study theories that purport to explain why some countries develop and other do not. We will focus on theories regarding the role of the state, political institutions, colonialism and history. Then we will transition to cover specific topics in the political economy of development, such as the role of foreign aid, natural resources, governance and corruption as catalysis or obstacles for development. By the end of the course, students will have a critical understanding of the causes of development.
Grading:
Essay #1 --- 20% of final grade
Essay #2 --- 20%
In class quizzes --- 10%
Final Paper --- 50%
Class Format:
Lecture with class discussion
Workload:
60-80 pages of reading per week
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/66138/1193
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
20 November 2018

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