Steve Gardner
Fall 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.
• A collection of optional supplementary readings, arranged by course topics, may be found here.
• 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 now 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, 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. In this case, the term paper and each of the examinations will account for roughly one-fourth of the course grade. If you wish to write a paper, turn in a topic statement and a preliminary bibliography by September 18. The finished paper is due November 18.  Guidelines for writing the research paper may be found here.

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

In keeping with University regulations, 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

Aug. 26	First Day
Aug. 28	Classification of Economic Systems--Gardner, ch. 1-- outline
Sept. 2	Measuring National Income --Gardner, ch. 2, pp. 21-31-- outline
Aug. 4	Living Standards, Income Inequality-- Gardner, ch. 2, pp. 31-39-- outline
Sept. 9	Unemployment and Inflation--Gardner, ch. 2, pp. 39-45-- outline

II. Economic Systems

Sept. 11	Capitalism--Gardner, ch. 3 -- outline
Sept. 16	Capitalism, completed
Sept. 18	Socialism--Gardner, ch. 4-- outline
Sept. 23	Economic Development--Gardner, ch. 5 -- outline

Sept. 25 -- FIRST EXAMINATION, TEXT CHAPTERS 1-5

III. The Western Hemisphere

Sept. 30	Introduction--Gardner, ch. 6-- outline
Oct. 2	United States--Gardner, ch. 7 -- outline
Oct. 7	United States, completed
Oct. 9	Latin America--Gardner, ch. 8-- outline

IV. Western Europe

Oct. 14	Introduction to Europe--Gardner, ch. 9-- outline
Oct. 16	Introduction to Europe, continued
Oct. 21	Great Britain--Gardner, ch. 10-- outline
Oct. 23	Germany--Gardner, ch. 11-- outline
Oct. 28	Sweden and France--Gardner, chs. 12 & 13-- outline  and outline

October 30 -- SECOND EXAMINATION, TEXT CHAPTERS 6-13

V. Central Eurasia

Nov. 4	Economic History of Central Eurasia--Gardner, ch. 14-- outline
Nov. 6	Economics of Central Planning--Gardner, ch. 15-- outline
Nov. 11	Socialist Reform--Gardner, ch. 16, pp. 485-503 -- outline
Nov. 13	Market Transition-- -- and Gardner, ch. 17-- outline

VI. Asia and Africa

Nov. 18	Introduction to Asia--Gardner, ch. 18-- outline
Nov. 20	Japan--November 20--Gardner, ch. 19-- outline
Nov. 25	China --Gardner, ch. 20-- outline
Nov. 27	*** Thanksgiving Holiday ***
Dec. 2	China, continued
Dec. 4	Africa--Gardner, ch. 21-- outline

Dec. 11 (2:00-4:00PM) -- THIRD EXAMINATION--CHAPTERS 14-21



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