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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EC 341"
COURSE NAME: "Economics of Development"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: John Westley
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 10:00-11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: Junior Standing, EC 201, EC 202
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course focuses on the economics of development, with specific reference to developing countries. While drawing extensively on the tools of standard economic theory, it deals with development issues for which economic theories at best provide only partial answers. It offers a problem-oriented approach, with a historical and institutional perspective, to issues such as poverty, population, income distribution, international trade, investment, aid, and the debt problem.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Part I of the course covers broad patterns of development, reviews theories of growth and development, discusses the respective roles of the state and markets, assesses issues of inequality and poverty and introduces the issue of sustainability. Part II takes a sectoral approach, covering population, education, health, agriculture, primary exports and trade. Part III focuses on macroeconomic issues in development, including saving and resource mobilization, financial policy, foreign aid, and foreign debt and financial crises. The emphasis in the course is on Sub-Saharan Africa. A paper of 8-10 pages on development progress and prospects in an African country will be required.  
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course, students should be able to identify the key elements of effective economic development policy as it relates to environmental sustainability (in developing countries generally) and development in Africa. They should be able to specify why those policies are more likely to lead to sustainable development than are alternative policies based on 1) arguments from populist or nationalist politics or 2) economic arguments inappropriate to the country’s income level, ecology, structure and potential. They should have developed skill in the critical analysis and presentation of these arguments (both in writing and orally) through careful study, through active class participation and through preparation of a paper arguing forcefully and convincingly for a particular position.

 

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Economics of Development Perkins et al W W Norton 978-0-393-93435-9     
African Development (AD)Todd J Moss Lynne Rienner978-1-58826-769-6     
Emerging Africa (EA)Steven RadeletCenter for Global Development978-1-933286-51-8     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The End of Poverty Jeffrey D Sachs Penguin978-0143036586  
Common WealthJeffrey D Sachs Penguin 978-1-933286-51-8  
The Bottom Billion Paul CollierOxford978-0-19-531145-7  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Exam IExam covering first part of course20
Exam IIExam covering second part of course20
Final Exam Final exam (cumulative, but emphasizing last part of course)40
Paper Paper assessing the development performance and prospects of a particular African country (8-10 pages). 20

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course. 90-93 A-; 94 -100, A.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. 80-83, B-; 84-86, B; 87-89, B+.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings. 70-73, C-; 74-76, C; 77-79, C+.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail. 60-63, D-; 64-66, D; 67-69, D+.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant. Below 60 is failing.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
As the final exam is comprehensive, students who miss 4 classes or fewer (excused or unexcused) will have the option to drop the grades from the midterm exams that are low, and to add the weight of those exams to the final. Students who do not meet the attendance requirements will not have that option.
Students are expected to have read assignments before class and to participate in class discussion.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

PART I: PERSPECTIVES ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 
     
Week 1 (January 15, 17) Patterns of Development Text 1-3; AD 1; EA 1, 2
 
Week 2 (January 22, 24) Theories of Economic Growth Text 4; EP 3; AD 6; EA 4    
Week 3 (January 29, 31) States and Markets, Inequality and Poverty Text 5, 6; BB 1, AD 10, CW 10; EA 3    
Week 4 (February 5, 7) Inequality and Poverty; Environmental Sustainability and Development  Text 20;  CW 2, 3    
Week 5 (February 12, 14, 16) Environmental Sustainability and Development (continued); Exam 1: Part I
   
PART II: SECTORAL ISSUES      
Week 6 (February 19, 21) Population  Text 7, 8; CW 7, 8    
Week 7 (February 26, 28) Education, Health Text 9; EP 10, EA 6    
Week 8 (March 5, 7) Health, Agriculture Text 16, 17    
Week 9 (March 12, 14) Agriculture, Trade and Development Text 18, 19; AD 12, BB 6, 10    
Week 10 (March 19, 21) Trade and Development; Exam 2: Part II
   
PART III: MANAGING AN OPEN DEVELOPING ECONOMY      
Week 11 (March 26, 28) Investment and Savings, Fiscal Policy, Financial Development and Inflation  Text 10, 11, 12    
Week 12 (April 9, 11) Foreign Debt and Financial Crises, Foreign Aid  Text 13, 14; AD 7 - 9, EA 5,  BB 7     
Week 13 (April 16, 18) Foreign Aid; begin presentations  Text 14; EA 7, 8    
Week 14 (April 23, 27) Presentations, review    
  Final Exam: Cumulative, but emphasis on Part III; April 30, Noon, Aula Magna