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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 340"
COURSE NAME: "Politics of Developing Countries"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Argentieri Federigo
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 13:30-14:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: PL 223
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The definition of Third World has been applied to countries which, albeit located in different geographic areas of the globe, are affected by similar features and problems: recent independence from colonial rule, limited economic development, overpopulation, insufficient infrastructures and availability of public hygiene/health care/education, persisting dependency on developed countries and attempts at reducing or altogether eliminating it. The course will explore the various patterns with an emphasis on historical issues - decolonization and the impact of the Cold War - and the current situation. In examining case studies, particularly focused on the so-called "rogue states", the dichotomies of dictatorship and democracy, national sovereignty and human rights, globalization and autarchy will be analyzed and assessed.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
General issues:
- Definitions of "The Other World"
- Patterns of relationship with developed countries (colonial, neocolonial); terrorism and its consequences
- Political economy, globalization, resources, development
- The role of women
Geographic areas:
- Latin America (case studies: Cuba and Venezuela).
Additional reading:
http://www.libreriauniversitaria.it/after-fidel-raul-castro-and/book/9781403975072
- Sub-saharan Africa (case study: Zimbabwe)
Additional reading:
http://www.amazon.it/Dinner-Mugabe-Untold-Freedom-Fighter/dp/0143026186/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1327269497&sr=1-1-catcorr
OR
http://www.libreriauniversitaria.it/dinner-with-mugabe-untold-story/book/9780143026181
- Asia (case study: North Korea)
Additional reading: http://www.libreriauniversitaria.it/nothing-to-envy-ordinary-lives/book/9780385523912
OR
http://www.amazon.it/Nothing-Envy-Ordinary-Lives-North/dp/0385523912/ref=sr_1_1?s=english-books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327269824&sr=1-1
- The Middle East and North Africa (case study: Iran)
Additional reading:
http://www.amazon.it/Iran-Looming-Crisis-Nuclear-Threat/dp/1846684234/ref=sr_1_1?s=english-books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327269904&sr=1-1
OR
http://www.libreriauniversitaria.it/iran-looming-crisis-can-west/book/9781846684234
- Islam and Women (case study: Ayaan Hirsi Ali)
Additional reading: http://www.libreriauniversitaria.it/caged-virgin-an-emancipation-proclamation/book/9780743288347
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students should have a good command of the principal instruments of political analysis in a comparative context, including elements of political and social history, political culture and background of the different leaders and ruling forces. They should be able to identify and analyze the main actors, their strategies and their conflicts, their elements of rupture and continuity, as well as the main trends in political life of the countries under scrutiny
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| The Other World - Issues and Politics of the Developing World, 9th edition | Weatherby/Arceneaux/Evans/Long/Reed/Novikova-Carter | Longman | 978-0-205-77887-4 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Below is the weight of each component
Attendance and participation 10% Quiz 20%
Book discussion 15% Book review 25%
Final examination 30%
Final letter grades will correspond to the final percentage obtained:
A = 96-100 C = 66-70
A- = 91-95 C- = 61-65
B+ = 86-90 D+ = 58-60
B = 81-85 D = 55-57
B- = 76-80 D- = 51-54
C+ = 71-76 F = 0-50
Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.
A: Work 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.
B: This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D: This 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.
F: This 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:
Regular attendance and active participation in class are essential: this includes punctuality and quick checking of intranet messages. Students are also expected to attend at least half (i.e. five) of the Monday evening film screenings. PLEASE NO SOCIAL NETWORKING DURING CLASS. Unexcused absences will affect the final grade. Makeup examinations will be given or late papers accepted only for documented serious medical or family emergencies.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| Sept. 3-5 | Introduction, formation of reading groups | | | |
| Sep. 10-12 | Definitions of The Other World | Chapter one | | |
| Sep. 17-19 | Colonialism and its legacies | Chapter two | Evening film: "1492-The Conquest of Paradise", by Ridley Scott (1992), Monday at 7:30 pm in G.K.1.1 | |
| Sep. 24-26 | Current issues in political economy | Chapter three | Guarini Institute event on Monday, Sep.24 at 6:30 pm in the Tiber cafeteria | |
| Oct. 1-3 | Women and development | Chapter four | | |
| Oct. 8-10 | Review and midterm | | Evening film: "Black Hawk Down", by Ridley Scott (2001), Monday at 7:30 pm in G.K.1.1 | Midterm exam on Wed. Oct. 10 |
| Oct. 15-17 | Case studies in humanitarian intervention | Notes and tba | Festival of Diplomacy/Guarini Institute event on Monday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 pm in Aula Magna
http://www.johncabot.edu/about_jcu/guarini-institute/guarininew_Somalia%202012.pdf
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| Oct. 22-24 | Latin America | Chapter five | | |
| Oct. 29-31 | Sub-Saharan Africa, part I | Chapter six | Evening film: "The Mission", by Roland Joffé (1986), Monday at 7:30 pm in G.K.1.1//
Guarini Institute event on US elections on Tuesday Oct. 30 in Tiber cafeteria (10:30am-12:30)
| Group presentation of "After Fidel" on Monday Oct. 29 |
| Nov. 5-7 | Sub-saharan Africa part II | Chapter six | Evening film: "Missing", by Constantin Costa-Gavras (1982), Monday at 7:30 pm in G.K.1.1 | Group presentation of "Dinner with Mugabe", Monday Nov. 5 |
| Nov. 12-14 | Asia (part I) | Chapter seven | Evening film, "The Last King of Scotland", by Kevin Mc Donald (2006), Monday at 7:30 pm in G.K.1.1 | Group presentation of "The Caged Virgin" on Monday Nov. 12 |
| Nov. 19-21 | Asia (Part II) | Chapter seven | Evening film: "Goodbye Bafana", by Bille August (2007), Monday at 7:30 pm in G.K.1.1 | Group presentation of "Nothing to Envy", Monday Nov. 19 |
| Nov. 26-28 | The Middle East and North Africa | Chapter eight | Evening film: "Crossing the Line", by Daniel Gordon (2006), Monday at 7:30 pm, G.K.1.1 | Group presentation of "Iran: the Looming Crisis" on Monday Nov. 26 |
| Dec. 3-5 | Review and concluding discussion | Chapter eight | Evening film: "Persepolis", by Marjane Satrapi (2007), Monday at 7:30 pm in G.K.1.1 | Written book review to be turned in on Monday Dec. 3 |
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