DEPARTMENT OF AFRICOLOGY

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

Africol:106-329

Spring2016

Instructor: Dr. Abera Gelan Class Period:MoWe: 12:30PM-1:45PM

Office: MIT 210 Meeting Place: Northwest Bldg. BG558

E-mail: Office Hours: Mo: 2:00PM-3:00PM

TEL: 414-229-4144

OURSE DISCRIPTION:

This course provides you an opportunity to develop your understanding of economic developmentof African Countries. And so, you will use key growththeories and propositionsthatare more relevant and effective to deal with the economic complexities of African countries in order to develop alternative solutions totheseproblems.You will master concepts and their applications in the context of African Economics from subject topics such as new strategies for poverty reduction, the role of education and health in economic development, the Millennium Development Goals, the structure of agrarian systems in Africa, complementarities and international trade issues. You will also examinehow trade relations between the developed and developing countries impact African development. In this regard, you will discuss on the role of subsidiesin promoting unfair trade, the benefits of grantingdebt reliefto boost growth and reduce poverty and the advantage of financial and technological assistanceto improve development and better living standards. In particular, since China and the United States are key trading partners for most African countries, you will develop an understanding of howthe role of these countries can help African countries in their efforts to accelerate the growth processes as well as focus on determining new economic policies to improve on existing mechanisms. In addition, you will delve intodebates on the functioning of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) and their implications for economic development in Africa countries. Previous knowledge of economics is helpful but not required for this course. However, a brief introduction to basic economic concepts will be discussed at the beginning of the semester.

ADOPTION OF AN ARICAN COUNTRY

At the beginning of the course, you will adopt an African country of your choice and, as part of your learning requirements,(1) you will maintain a journal and (2) make reports to your classmatesthroughout the semester on the economy of your adopted country. The adopted country will be the basis for your major research project. The project deals with problems of development, and alternative solutions to these problems. Details about the project and requirements for its satisfactory completion will be provided in class. However, the final research paper must satisfy at the minimum the following key requirements:

  1. Extensive literature review of the subject matter
  2. Collection and use of primary data
  3. Effective use of knowledge of course-theoretical frameworks as guiding principles to conduct research
  4. Completion and oral presentation of professionally written paper.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completing this course, it is expected that you will:

  • Develop awareness of development related issues currently receiving widespread attention in the world in general and in African countries in particular
  • Effectively apply theoretical frameworks to explain causes of economic deprivationand development in African and other countries
  • Identify majorillsforthe lack of economic development in African countries and analyze/interpret their bearings on the well-being of their citizens
  • Evaluate underlying assumptions and values of economic perspectives and controversies on the leading issues of development that are important to African countries
  • Show the ability to articulate the interconnected nature of countries in the present era; and conjecture on possible implicationsfor the United States of America if development lags or acceleratesin African countries
  • Take initiatives and appropriate leadership to engage in major economic debates in the USA and other countries
  • Develop the spirit of collaboration and teamwork through cooperative learning
  • Apply course knowledge for further professional and individual growth

REQUIRED TEXT:

Todaro, Michael P. & Smith, Stephen C. Economic Development,12thEdition, 2015 or 11th Edition, 2012, Pearson.

SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS:

You are expected to regularly read relevant magazines, newspapers and Internet sites as a way to looking at practical and real issues and staying current with important economic news in the local, national and world.

ATTENDANCE POLICIES:

You must meet the following requirements throughout the semester to satisfactorily complete this course:

  • Attend all classes. If you miss more than three classes or are habitually late for class, you will be dropped from the course
  • Participate in class discussions
  • Read all assigned sectors of the text, handouts and other materials before class
  • Complete all assigned assignments on a timely basis
  • Complete all quizzes and exams satisfactorily

EXAMINATION POLICIES:

Exams are aimed at assessing and evaluating your demonstrated achievement of learning objectives of the course. You are required to take exams on designated days. Failure to do so without prior consultation with the instructor will result in an “F” grade on that exam. Special arrangement will be made for disabled students and those observing religious holidays, where necessary.

ASSIGNMENT AND QUIZ POLICIES:

All assignments are to be submitted on the designated day. Late homework will not be accepted. However, Special arrangement will be made for disabled students and those observing religious holidays, where necessary. In addition, there will be many quizzes during the course of the semester. There will be no makeup quizzes. Exceptions will be made ONLY in the case of verifiable, extraordinary circumstances.

Group Assignments: There will be several group assignments throughout the semester. You will be assigned into a group to work as a team on assigned problems. This requires commitment and active participation of each member of the group in order to make such cooperative learning process effective and enjoyable.

Examination policies: You are to take exams on the designated days. Failure to do so without prior consultation with the instructor will result in an “F” grade on that exam. Once again, special arrangement will be made for disabled students and those observing religious holidays, where necessary.

TENTATIVE EXAM WEIGHTSDATE

1. Exam I15%TBA

2. Exam II15%TBA

3. Exam III 15% TBA

3. Project 25% TBA

4. Quizzes 15%TBA

5. Assignments 15%

Time commitment in the course:

Class contact (lecture & discussion)25 * 1hours 15min = 31hours15min Preparing for discussion 25 * 2hours = 50 hours Assignment Reading: 10 * 3 hours = 30 hours Reflection post discussion/assignment 10 * 3 hours = 30 hours Preparing for three quizzes 3 * 4 hours = 12 hours Quizzes 3 * 20 min = 1 hours Reviewing for three exams 3 * 1 hours = 3 hours Three exams 3 * 1 hour & 15 min = 3 hours & 45 min Preparing for one project 1 * 20 hours = 20 hours Presentation of one project 1 * 20 min = 20 min

Total semester commitment: 181 hours & 20 min

Weekly average (using 15 weeks): 12 hours & 5 min

TENTATIVE GRADE SCALE

A 100-93 A-92-89B+88-85B84-80B- 79-77

C+76-74 C73-70C-69-65D+64-60D59-55

D-54-50 F49-0

Department and UWM policies

Information concerning the Department of Africology and UWM Policies on participation by students with disabilities, accommodation for religious observations, academic conduct, complaint procedures, grade appeals procedures, and other standing policies (e.g. sexual harassment, incomplete) is available in the main office of the Department of Africology in Mitchell Hall, Room 225. Phone Number is 414-229-4155. For more UWM policies please refer to:

TENTATIVE READING LIST:

Part I: Introduction

  • An overview: The basic core of principles of economics
  • An overview: Africa

Part II: Development & Underdevelopment

  • Chapter one – EconomicDevelopment: A Global Perspective
  • Chapter two – Comparative Development: Differences and Commonalities Among Countries
  • Chapter three – Classical Theories of Economic Development:

Rostow’s Stages of Growth

The Harrod-Domar Model

Structural Change-the Lewis Theory of Development

The False-Paradigm

Market Fundamentalism

Neoclassical Growth Theory: The Solow Growth Model

Endogenous Growth Theory: The Romer Model

EXAM ONE

Part III: Contemporary Models of Development and Underdevelopment

  • Chapter four – The New Growth Theory: Endogenous Growth

Multiple Equilibria

The Big Push

The O-Ring Model

The Hausmann-Rodrik-Velasco Growth Diagnostics Framework

Developmental State – a handout will be distributed in class

Case Study: Understanding a developmental Miracle: China

EXAM TWO

Part IV: African Economies*

  • Chapter one: Strategies for African Development
  • Chapter two: Governance and Growth – History, Ideology, and Methods of proof
  • Chapter three: Institutional Monocroping and Monotasking in Africa
  • Chapter four: Governance and Growth Challenges for Africa

*Handouts will be distributed in class for this part.

EXAM THREE

Part V: Country Case Study: Millennium Development Goals

PROJECT