Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EC 342"
COURSE NAME: "Issues in Economic Development"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2019

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Yasmina Rim Limam
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 4:30-5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: Junior Standing, EC 201, EC 202; Recommended EC 316 or EC 341
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines in-depth selected topics on development that are of current interest.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Besides a general introduction to economic development and a review of main economic tools and measures, the following topics will be discussed:

- Facts and characteristics of developing countries

- Development measurements and tools

- Poverty, income inequality and pro-poor growth.

- Human capital, education and health and economic development

- Balance of payment, financial crises and stabilization policies: This section looks at a country’s balance of payment accounts, the international flow of financial resources and the impact of financial crises on developing countries.

- Foreign finance and foreign direct investment: This section looks at recent trends in FDI in developing countries and will analyze the role of FDI in economic growth and transfer of technology in developing countries.

- Gender and economic development

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand basic concepts of development and the characteristics of developing countries.

2. Apply basic economic theory to economic development.

3. Communicate knowledge on current issues and challenges facing developing countries.

4. Comprehend the complex and multisided character of development.

5. Understand interconnections between economic variables and the effect of economic policies on economic outcome.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Economic Development	Todaro and Smith	Pearson	9781292002972

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Midterm Exam	The midterm exam covers all material up to the week prior to the exam.	30
Final Exam	The final exam is cumulative and covers all material covered in class up to the last day of classes. NOTE: Exams emphasize understanding and capacity of analysis rather than memorization of information.	40
Written Assignment	There will be one brief written assignment. The assignment will focus upon analyzing an economic development challenge faced by a developing country chosen spontaneously by each student (ideally, each student should select a different country). Student should be able to relate the issue of his choice to economic theory. The assignment should not exceed 800 words.	15
	Note: Exams emphasize understanding and capacity of analysis rather than memorization of information.
Class Presentation	There will be individual or group presentations (the amount of these will depend on the final number of students taking the course). Presentations can be either on pre-assigned readings (from the reading list below) or on an open research question. If feasible, we will try to have at least one presentation per topic. Presentations will often open the door for further class discussion and in class interaction. Students should be able to use theoretical and empirical instruments to justify/illustrate arguments or suggestions. More information on presentations dates will be provided as we move on with the semester.	15

-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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

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

- DETAILED COURSE OUTLINE

Day	Topic
Tu 03/09	Course expectations and syllabus
Th 05/09	Introduction to economic development (National accounts)
Tu 10/09	Purchasing power parity (PPP)
Th 12/09	Measuring development (HDI)
Tu 17/09	Characteristics of developing countries
Th 19/09	Characteristics of developing countries
F 20/09	Human capital, education and growth
Tu 24/09	Readings
Th 26/09	Economic growth
Tu 01/10	Lab: Excel exercise on output growth decomposition
Th 03/10	Poverty, gender and economic development
Tu 08/10	Poverty, gender and economic development
Th 10/10	Paper for discussion
Tu 15/10	Review for midterm
Th 17/10	Midterm
Tu 22/10	Presentations
Th 24/ 10	Presentations
Tu 29/ 10	Presentations
Th 31/ 10	Presentations
Tu 05/ 11	Balance of payment, financial crises and stabilization policies
Th 07/ 11	Balance of payment, financial crises and stabilization policies
Tu 12/ 11	Paper discussion
Th 14/ 11	Foreign finance and foreign direct investment
Tu 19/ 11	Foreign finance and foreign direct investment (Written assignment due)
Th 21/ 11	Development and the environment
Tu 26/ 11	Development and the environment
Th 28/ 11	Thanksgiving break no classes (make up Friday September 20)
Tu 03/ 12	Paper for discussion
Tu 05/ 12	Review