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ECO 5338
Seminar on World Economic Systems

(Online Update)

Steve Gardner
Spring 2020

Class Time/Location:
TR 2:00-3:15pm, wherever you are!

Gardner Office Hours/Location:
TBA

    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

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 (22%, each), each of which will include a combination of multiple choice and essay questions; a term paper or video presentation (22%); and class presentation of a working paper selected from a prescribed list (12%).  Class preparation, participation, and completion of out-of-class assignments will also be taken into account. See other important information under Attendance, below.

Guidelines for writing a term paper may be found here or guidelines for a video presentation may be found here. In either case, you should turn in a topic statement and a preliminary bibliography by February 11 and the finished paper or video is due April 16. Papers may be sent to me by email and videos should be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or another similar service, and a link should be sent to me at steve_gardner@baylor.edu.

By January 23, send me a list of three options for your working paper presentation, based on one of the papers from this list. Your presentation 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.

Extra Credit: All of you will attend the session of the Global Business Forum that's held during our class time on March 26. You can gain extra credit by attending up to three additional sessions on March 18-22 (and other opportunities during the semester will be announced), 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.

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.

Academic Success 

Like other members of the faculty and staff, I want to be sure that you have every opportunity to have a successful experience at Baylor. If you have an unexplained pattern of absences or if you seem to be struggling in the course, I will submit an Academic Progress Report to the Success Center. I will work to help you get the support that you need, and I can assist you in finding the resources you need beyond my course. Familiarize yourself with the services provived by the Paul L. Foster Success Center in Sid Richardson or by going to: http://www.baylor.edu/successcenter/. Even if you don’t need help, you can get involved by tutoring other students in the future or by telling a hall mate how and where to get help.

Academic Integrity 

The university honor code was recently updated, and you can find it here. In line with university policies, cheating, plagiarism, or other acts of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Honor Council and may result in failure of the course or even suspension from the university.

Classroom Conduct 
  • 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.
  • As a general rule, you are NOT allowed to use notebook computers, cellphones, or iPods during my classes. Why? For three reasons:
    • There is now very strong evidence that students have better recall of class material and gain a deeper understanding if they take notes by hand instead of typing on a computer. See this article and this research paper.
    • You may think that you are a great mutitasker - that you can effectively participate in class while you are reading texts/emails, surfing the web, and listening to music - but, if you think that, you're almost certainly wrong. The evidence indicates that multitasking may reduce your productivity by as much as 40%.
    • Even if your computer work doesn't reduce your own productivity, it is likely to be distracting to other people who are sitting around you. This negative influence on students who sit near computer users has been demomstrated in work at two Canadian universities (see this opinion piece and this technical paper).
    • Several of my Baylor colleagues have reported an improvement in overall students performance when they have outlawed the use of computers during their lectures.
    • Exception: You are allowed to use a computer in class if you have a documented physical or learning disability for which the use of a computer is recommended as a helpful accommodation. This normally takes the form of a letter sent to me by the Baylor OALA office. If you have some other form of documentation, please discuss it with me.
  • 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.
  • 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 

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. You may also contact the Title IX office directly by phone, (254) 710-8454, or email, TitleIX_Coordinator@baylor.edu.

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. For more information on the Title IX Office, the Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Interpersonal Violence policy, reporting, and resources available, please visit the website provided above.

First Generation College Students 

Baylor University defines a first-generation college student as a student whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree. The First in Line program at Baylor is a support office on campus for first-generation college students to utilize if they have any questions or concerns. Please contact First in Line at firstinline@baylor.edu, call 254-710-6854, or visit www.baylor.edu/firstinline to learn more about the services available.

Military Student Advisory 

Veterans and active duty military personnel are welcomed and encouraged to communicate, in advance if possible, any special circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployment, drill requirements, disability accommodations). You are also encouraged to visit the VETS Program Office with any questions at (254) 710-7264.

Students Needing Accommodations 

Any student who needs academic accommodations related to a documented disability should inform me immediately at the beginning of the semester. You are required to obtain appropriate documentation and information regarding accommodations from the Office of Access and Learning Accommodation (OALA). Contact Information: (254) 710-3605 - Paul L. Foster Success Center, 1st floor on the East Wing of Sid Richardson.