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ECO/INB/AST 4338
Economic Systems of the World

Steve Gardner
Spring 2017

Class Times/Locations:
TR 12:30-1:45pm, Foster 416
3:30-4:45pm, Foster 117

Gardner Office Hours/Location:
MF 2:00-4:00pm
TR 2:30-3:30pm
and by appointment,
McBride Center, Foster 230.05

    Texts
    • H. Stephen Gardner, Comparative Economic Systems, manuscript (see links below).
    • Charles A Kupchan, No One's World: The West, the Rising East, and the Coming Global Turn. Oxford University Press, 2012.
    • Ruchir Sharma, Breakout Nations. W.W. Norton, 2013.
    • Additional required readings may be posted on this web site and/or distributed in class.
    • A collection of optional supplementary readings, arranged by course topics, may be found here.

Recommended References

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 -- historical and social analysis, 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, difficulties with enlargement and monetary unification of the European Union, the continuing economic and social transitions of the former Communist countries, economic development strategies in poor countries, and programs of economic integration in Europe, the Western Hemisphere, and other regions.

Grading

Semester grades will be based on your performance on three examinations, each of which will include a combination of multiple choice and essay questions.  Class preparation, participation, and completion of out-of-class assignments will also be taken into account. See other important information under Attendance, below.

If you have a comparative advantage in research and writing, if you are taking this course for some special purpose (honors credit, area studies, etc.), or if you would like to explore a particular topic in depth, you may write an optional research paper and/or give a class presentation of a working paper from this list. In this case, the grade for the course will be spread evenly across the examinations and term paper and/ presentation. If you wish to give a class presentation, you should send me your preferences from the working paper list by January 19.  If you wish to write a research paper, turn in a topic statement and a preliminary bibliography by February 7. The finished paper is due April 18.  Guidelines for writing the research paper may be found here.

Extra Credit: All of you will attend the session of the Global Business Forum that's held during our class time on March 16. You can gain extra credit by attending up to three additional sessions on March 15-16, and by writing brief summaries and responses to the sessions. Each of these reaction papers can add up to an additional point to your final course average.

See other important information about extra credit under Attendance, below.

Semester grade averages will be converted into letter grades according to the following scale: A 91-100; A- 89-90; B+ 87-88; B 81-86; B- 79-80; C+ 77-78; C 71-76; C- 69-70; D+ 67-68; D 61-66; D- 59-60; F below 59.

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 during class. Texting, e-mailing, web surfing, 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 Foster classrooms.
  • For additional information on classroom conduct, see corresponding section of the Student Handbook .

Title IX

  • If you or someone you know would like help related to an experience of sexual violence including sexual assault, harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking or other type of non-consensual sexual conduct, please contact Kristan Tucker, the Title IX Coordinator at Baylor University, by email (Kristan_Tucker@baylor.edu) or phone (254-710-8454)..
  • All studednts are encouraged to complete the Title IX Online Course by February 1.

Attendance