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Economics 5338
Seminar on World Economic Systems

Steve Gardner
Spring 2008
    Texts
    • H. Stephen Gardner, Comparative Economic Systems, 2nd ed., Dryden Press, 1998.
    • Additional required readings will be posted on this web site and/or distributed in class.
    • This course will be more meaningful if you keep up with international economic events.  One good source is the Online Wall Street Journal, for which Baylor has a blanket subscription.  You can log in with your Bear-ID and password at https://business.baylor.edu/WSJ.

Objectives

    The primary objectives of this course are to:
  • Explore differences between economic institutions, policy, and performance in countries around the world;

  • Provide information on the methods used to make economic comparisons across countries -- statistical methods, theoretical methods, and others; and

  • Encourage analysis and discussion of major developments in the world economy, including the current policy debates in the United States, the enlargement and monetary unification of the European Union, the economic and social transitions of the former Communist countries, the integration of China into the WTO, structural adjustment programs in developing countries, and the programs of economic integration in Europe, the Western Hemisphere, and other regions.

Grading

Semester grades will be based on your performance on three examinations (20% each), submission and class presentation of a brief term paper (20%), class presentation of a working paper selected from a prescribed list (10%), and class preparation, participation, and completion of out-of-class assignments (10%). Unless you are told otherwise, each test will include a combination of multiple choice and essay questions.  See other important information under Attendance, below.

Your working paper presentations will be given when the subject of your presentation arises in class (see schedule below). Each should be about 5-10 minutes long, and should include, if applicable, information about the author(s), the topic, the previous literature, the methods of research and analysis (data and information sources, statistical methods, etc.), conclusions, your evaluation of the validity of the conclusions, and suggestions for future research.  In most cases, you will not be able to discuss all of the information/arguments in the paper, so focus on the most interesting and important points.

    See other important information under Attendance, below.

Classroom Conduct

  • Generally, classes will begin and conclude in a timely manner. Please make every effort to arrive on time and avoid leaving early. If you must leave early, please tell me before class begins. For more information on this subject, see "Attendance" below.
  • Please switch off cell phones before class begins.
  • Please give your full attention to the class.  If you have a notebook computer, please keep your wireless network card unplugged if you are not downloading a file for classroom use.  Web surfing, e-mailing, newspaper reading, and side conversations are disrespectful and distracting.
  • Our classes will be more interesting if we have broad and lively discussions.  Please participate, but avoid monopolizing the discussion. Respect alternative points of view and help me to "draw out" shy class members, some of whom may be insecure about their fluency in English.
  • With the exception of bottled water, we are not allowed to have food or drinks in the Cashion classrooms.
  • For additional information on classroom conduct, see corresponding section of the Student Handbook .

Attendance