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AST/ECO/INB 4338
Economic Systems of the World
Steve Gardner
Spring 2019
Class Time/Location:
TR 3:30-4:45pm, Foster 123
Gardner Office Hours/Location:
MF 2:00-4:00pm
TR 1:00-2:00pm
and by appointment,
McBride Center,
Foster 230.05
Texts
- H. Stephen Gardner, Comparative Economic
Systems, manuscript (see links below).
- National Intelligence Council, Global Trends: Paradox of Progress, 2017, available here.
- 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
- Allianz, Global Wealth Report
- Baylor Library, Electronic
Resources
- Baylor Library, Online
Journals
- CIA,
World Factbook
- clio infra, Global Social History Data
- European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development, Transition
Report
- European Union, Global Health
- Heritage Foundation, Index of
Economic Freedom
- IMF, Regional
Economic Reports
- IMF, World
Economic Outlook
- IMHE, Global Burden of Disease
- Johns Hopkins U., Comparative
Nonprofit Sector Project
- LIS Cross-National Data Center, web site
- Nationmaster, site
- New Economics Foundation, The Happy Planet
Index
- OECD, Better Life Index
- OECD,
Country Information
- OECD, Statistics
- Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative, Multidimensional Poverty Index
- Peterson Institute for
International Economics, web
site
- Pew Research, Global Attitudes
- Transparency International, web site
- United Nations, Sustainable Development Goals Report, 2018
- United Nations, World
Economic Situation and Prospects 2018
- UNCTAD, Trade and Development Report
- UNDP,
Human Development Report
- U.S. Department of
Labor, International
Labor
- VOX, Economic Policy Research
- World Bank, Country Pages
- World Bank, Doing Business
- World Bank,
Global Economic Prospects
- World Bank, Statistical
Databases
- World Bank, World
Development Report
- World Economic Forum, Global
Competitiveness Report 2018
- World Health Organization, Country Statistics
- World Health Organization, World Health Statistics
- World Inequality Database, site
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.
Optional Term Paper and/or Presentation of Working Paper: 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/or presentation. If you wish
to give a class presentation, you should send me your preferences
from the working paper list by January 29. If you wish to
write a research paper, turn in a topic statement and a preliminary
bibliography by February 14. The finished paper is due April 18. Guidelines
for writing the research paper may be found here.
Optional Video Production: Another skill that is growing more valuable and accessible is video production. If you would like have an opportunity to use and strengthen your skills in this area, you can produce a 5-10 minute video that explores a topic or concept from this course in an engaging way, and present it as an optional course assignment. In this case, the
grade for the course will be spread evenly across the examinations
and your grade on the video. If you wish to
pursue this option, turn in a topic statement and a preliminary
bibliography by February 14. The finished video is due April 18, and should be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo, and a link should be sent to me at steve_gardner@baylor.edu. Guidelines for production and evaluation of the video 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 21. You can gain extra credit by attending up to three additional sessions on March 18-22, 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, and side
conversations are disrespectful and distracting. If we have problems of this kind, I will be forced to outlaw all computer use during our classes.
- 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
Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Interpersonal Violence Policy
Baylor University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in any of its education or employment programs and activities, and it does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex or gender. This policy prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, intimate partner violence, and retaliation (collectively referred to as prohibited conduct).
For more information on how to report or to learn more about our policy and process, please visit www.baylor.edu/titleix or call the Title IX Office at (254) 710-8454.
The Title IX office understands the sensitive nature of these situations and can provide information about available on- and off-campus resources, such as counseling and psychological services, medical treatment, academic support, university housing, and other forms of assistance that may be available. Staff members at the office can also explain your rights and procedural options if you contact the Title IX Office. You will not be required to share your experience. If you or someone you know feels unsafe or may be in imminent danger, please call the Baylor Police Department (254-710-2222) or Waco Police Department (9-1-1) immediately.
Attendance
In keeping
with University
and Business School policies, students who miss over 25% of
class meetings (in
this case, 8 or more absences) will automatically fail the course. On
the other hand, three points will be added to your semester average
if you have perfect attendance; two points will be added if you have
one absence; one point will be added if you have two absences (for the
calculation of this extra credit, there are no excused
absences). If you arrive late for class, you will be
recorded absent
unless you have the roll changed before you leave the class.
Tentative
Course Schedule
I. Introduction
Jan 15 |
First Day |
Jan 17 |
Special Guest: Joanne Cummings, a Middle East expert who is currently the U.S. State Department Political Advisor to the Combined Joint Task Force for the International Coalition to Defeat ISIL. For background, read Global Trends, pp 109-113, this article by Marwan Kabalan, and this brief summary of a much longer article by Timur Kuran. |
Jan 22 |
Classification of
Economic Systems--Gardner,
ch. 1 and NRGI, "The Resource Curse"-- outline |
Jan 24 |
Measuring National
Income --Gardner,
ch. 2 and World Bank, Fundamentals of Purchasing Power Parities. -- outline |
Jan 29 |
Living Standards,
Income Inequality-- Gardner,
ch. 2--- outline
OPTIONAL PRESENTATION SELECTIONS DUE |
Jan 31 |
Unemployment and
Inflation--Gardner,
ch. 2--- outline |
II. Economic Systems
Feb 19 -- FIRST
EXAMINATION, TEXT CHAPTERS 1-5
III. The Western Hemisphere
IV. Asia
MARCH 28 -- SECOND
EXAMINATION, TEXT CHAPTERS 6-8 & 18-20
V. Western Europe
VI. Central Eurasia and Africa
THIRD
EXAMINATION--CHAPTERS 9-15, 17, & 21
Monday, May 13, 2-4 PM
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