MCCA/MCGE Title VI-A UISFL grant

2007-2010

International Module

Name:Eric Parsons

Mathematics/Economics Instructor

Metropolitan Community College (MCC) – Blue River

Course Title and Number:ECON 210: Macroeconomics

Enrollment: 39 students per semester

Planned Offering: Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011

Module Title:Scarcity and Economic Development: The case of North Africa

Description of Module:

This global module will be both integrated into the course curriculum throughout the semester and also used as the capstone unit of the macroeconomics course. As the semester progresses, articles related to North Africa and pertinent to the current topic being studied will be presented in the classroom and used to facilitate discussion. Examples of such topics include economic growth and development, inflation, gross domestic product, trade policy and protectionism, resource abundance (oil) and scarcity (water), capital investment, overall resource allocation, and labor market issues. At the end of the semester, these topics will reviewed with a special focus given to Nile use conflicts in the Nile River basin, as this provides an excellent example of the overall economic theme of scarcity and choice.

As a result, this module will allow the students to relate the course material to a region outside of the developed world, giving them the opportunity to understand macroeconomics at a deeper level. Moreover, it will give them a broader global perspective and the ability to engage in discussions related to economic development, international trade, U.S. foreign policy, etc.

Objectives:

  1. To allow students the opportunity to discover some of the issues faced by developing countries.
  2. To apply the economic concepts covered throughout the semester to a specific region of the world.
  3. To help the students gain a better understanding of the specific development challenges present in the North Africa region.
  4. To explore the concepts of scarcity and opportunity cost in the North African context.
  5. To make the students more globally aware and knowledgeable.

Methodology:

Lectures/Discussion:

In-class lectures and discussions will use articles on North Africa to provide concrete examples pertaining to the macroeconomic topics presented throughout the semester. Moreover, students will be required to find discussion items on North Africa to bring to class. These items will then be examined in both economic and political contexts.

Assignments:

The primary assignment for this module will be a group project and presentation on the economics of North Africa and related regions. For this project, students will be assigned to groups of approximately four people. Each group will be assigned a county/territory in North Africa or the Nile Basin on which to report (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Western Sahara, Ethiopia, and Uganda). The groups will then prepare a ten to fifteen-minute presentation on that country that will be given to the class during the last week of the term. The goal of these presentations is to tie the topics covered throughout the semester to the specific countries on which the groups are reporting.

Other assignments to be completed during the module include:

  1. A short paper analyzing an article on North Africa using economic theory.
  2. Class discussion of North African news items brought to class by the students.
  3. A quiz over the North African countries, their major economic resources, and their water supplies

Student Outcomes:

1. Construct supply and demand curves and specify the equilibrium, surplus, and shortage situations.

2. Assess pure capitalism and the market system.

3. Calculate national accounting information using the expenditure and flow of income approaches.

4. Classify the areas of the business cycle.

5. Analyze aggregate demand and aggregate supply in our economy.

6. Evaluate fiscal and monetary policy actions.

7. Critique Keynesian and Classical economic theories.

8. Assess the importance of International Trade.

Assessment:

The module assignment activities account for approximately 15% of the grade of the course.

The students will be assessed through a group project/presentation, participation points, discussion of news items related to North Africa, a short paper analyzing a news article on North Africa using economic theory, and a unit quiz. Moreover, material from the unit will also be included on the final examination.

Global Language Component

Translations of economics terms in the languages of the region (Arabic/Berber) will be presented to the students. Students will discuss how these terms reflect aspects of the economic conditions in the region. Students will also be required to incorporate language components into their group projects, e.g. listing the resources of the nation in that nation’s language.

List of Resources:

  1. McConnell, C.R., & Brue, S.L. (2008), Macroeconomics. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin. 17th Ed.
  2. Blank map of North Africa per student, showing clearly delineated national borders.
  3. List of economic terms translated into Arabic and Berber.
  4. Audio translations of the above economic terms.

Online Resources

  1. “Growth Strategy for North Africa:A Regional Approach” by Paul Chabrier.
  2. “The Effects of Fiscal Policies on the Economic Development of Women in the Middle East and North Africa” by Laframboise, Nicole and Trumbic, Tea.
  1. The Economy of the Middle East andNorth Africa in 1997.
  1. “Growth and Financial Stability in the Middle East and North Africa - Finance & Development.”Jean-Pierre Chauffour, Sena Eken, Mohamed A. El-Erian, and Susan Fennell.
  1. “Creating Employment in the Middle East andNorth Africa”by Edward Gardner.
  1. “Measuring Financial Development in the Middle East and North Africa: A New Database.” Susan Creane, Rishi Goyal, A. Mushfiq Mobarak, and Randa Sab.
  1. “Risk Instability and the Pattern of Foreign Direct Investment in the Middle East and North Africa Region”by Kitty K. Chan and Edward R. Gemayel.
  1. Transcript of a Press Briefing on the Economic Outlook in the Middle East and North Africa.
  1. Growth and Stability in the Middle East and North Africa.
  1. “Fiscal Determinants of Inflation: A Primer for the Middle East and North Africa” by Domenico Fanizza and Ludvig Söderling.
  1. “Financial Developmentin the Middle East and North Africa.” Susan Creane, Rishi Goyal, A. Mushfiq Mobarak, and Randa Sab
  1. “Estimation of Trade Protection in Middle East and North African Countries.” Oliva, Maria-Angels
  1. “Challenges of Growth and Globalization in the Middle East and North Africa” by George T. Abedand Hamid R. Davoodi.
  1. “Growth in the Middle East andNorth Africa” by Dalia S. Hakura.
  1. 2005 Economic Developments and Prospects : Oil Booms and Revenue Management.
  1. 2008 MENA Economic Developments and Prospects : Regional Integration for Global Competitiveness.
  1. 2006 Economic Developments and Prospects : Financial Markets in a New Age of Oil.
  1. 2007 Economic Developments & Prospects : Job Creation in an Era of High Growth.
  1. “E.U. and U.S. Free Trade Agreements in the Middle East and North Africa” byRiad al Khouri.
  1. “Can the West Save Africa?” by William Easterly.
  1. “China's Growing Economic Activity in Africa” by Hany Besada,Yang Wang,John Whalley.
  1. “Does Culture Affect Economic Outcomes?” by Paola Sapienza,Luigi Zingales,Luigi Guiso.
  1. “The Effects of Fiscal Policies on the Economic Development of Women in the Middle East and North Africa” by Tea Trumbic and Nicole Laframboise.
  1. “Agricultural trade and rural development in the Middle East and North Africa: recent developments and prospects” by DeRosa, Dean A.
  1. “Constraints to Economic Development and Growth in the Middle East and North Africa” by Juliane Brach.
  1. “Uncertainty, Economic Reforms and Private Investment in the Middle East and North Africa” by Aysan, Ahmet Faruk, Pang, Gaobo, Véganzonès -Varoudakis, and Marie-Ange.
  1. “Economic & Financial Rationale for a Regional Multilateral Bank in the Middle East & North Africa” by Grais, W. and Savorelli, L.
  1. “Financial Markets of the Middle East and North Africa: The Past and Present” by Yochanan Shachmurove
  1. “Prospects for nuclear energy in West Asia and North Africa” by Hans-Holger Rogner andSayed B. Abdel-Hamid
  1. Governance and Private Investment in the Middle East and North Africa.
  1. “The changing financial landscape : opportunities and challenges for the Middle East and North Africa” by Grais, Wafik and Kantur, Zeynep
  1. “Constraints toEconomicDevelopmentand Growth in the Middle East andNorthAfrica” by Juliane Brach.
  1. Labor Market Reforms, Growth, and Unemployment in Labor-Exporting Countries in the Middle East andNorthAfrica.
  1. The Risks and Macroeconomic Impact of HIV/AIDS in the Middle East andNorthAfrica: Why Waiting to Intervene Can Be Costly?
  1. “Development, Growth and Policy Reform in the Middle East andNorthAfrica” by Tarik Yousef.
  1. Future Demands on Nile River Waterand Egyptian National Security.
  1. The Nile: water conflicts.
  1. Waterand Food Security in theRiver NileBasin.
  1. Water Wars: The Nile River Basin.
  1. Improving LivestockWaterProductivity in theNile RiverBasin.
  1. Water wars loom along Nile.
  1. Case Study ofTransboundary Dispute Resolution: the Nile Waters Agreement.
  1. Peace andWaterfor theNile.
  1. The Nile River: Potential for Conflict and Cooperation in the Face of Water Degradation.
  1. The River Nile Facts.
  1. Averting Conflict in the Nile Basin.
  1. Water Management in the Nile Basin: Opportunities and Constraints.
  1. Economic analysis of water allocation policies regarding Nile River water in Egypt.
  1. Mission not yet accomplished: managing water resources in the Nile River basin.
  1. Foreign Relations of North Africa. I. William Zartman. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 489, International Affairs in Africa (Jan., 1987), pp. 13-27
  2. Middle East and North Africa: Water Controversy/Natural Resources.
  1. Scarce Water, Abundant Oil: Resources and Conflict in the Middle East and North Africa.
  1. Water as a Human Right for the Middle Eastand North Africa.
  1. Managing Water Demand: Policies, Practices, and Lessons from the Middle East and North Africa Forums.
  1. Water Management in Africa and the Middle East: Challenges and Opportunities.
  1. Environment between Conflict & Cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa.
  1. Nile River basin countries to benefit from UN-aided water management plan.
  1. Nile River.
  1. Nile River Facts.
  1. The Nile river basin: a case study in surface water conflict resolution.
  1. The Struggle for the Control of theNile River.
  1. Water quality assessment of the River Nile system: An Overview.

Print Resources

  1. Macroeconomic Issues and Policies in the Middle East and North Africa. Editor: Zubair Iqbal.
  2. Trade, Investment, and Development in the Middle East and North Africa: Engaging with the World (Orientations in Development) (Paperback).byWorld Bank.
  3. Research for Development in the Middle East and North Africa (Paperback).

byEglal Rached(Editor),Dina Craissati(Editor).

  1. Natural Resources Management in African Agriculture: Understanding and Improving Current Practices. Edited by CBBarrett,Cornell University, USA; FPlace,International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya; AAAboud,Egerton University, Kenya.

Appendix A – Arabic Translation List

Words / In Arabic / Pronunciation / Root
Market / سوق-: N
متجر-
سوق بورصة-
سوق- :V
باع- / -Suqe
-Matjer
-Suqe Borsah
-Sawaq
-Baa` / ساق
Buy / شراء: N
إشترى:V / -Shera`
-Ishtara / شرى
Sell / V:يبيع-
يتجر-
يروج- / -Yabeea`
-Yatjer
-Yrawej / نبع
تجر
روج
Negotiate / يفاوض- :V
يتفاوض- / -Yufawed
-Yatafawad / فوض
Barter / مقايض-: N مقايضة-
مبادلة-
V:قايض / -Muqayed
-Muqayadah
-Mubadalah
Qayada / قيض
Trade / N: -تجارة
متاجرة-
V :
تاجر-
ساوم-
قايض- / -Tejarah
-Mutajarah
-Tajara
-Sawama
-Qayada / تجر
سوم
قيض
Money / N: -عملة
مال-
نقود-
فلوس- / -Umlah
-Mal
-Nuqood
-Foloos
Price / N:ثمن-
سعر-
تسعيرة-
قيمة-
V:
حدد الثمن-
سأل عن السعر- / -Thaman
-Sea`r
-Tasea`rah
-Qeemah
-Haddada Althaman
-Saa`l An Alsea`r
Shopkeeper / N: -بقال
تاجر-
صاحب-
المتجر / -Baqal
-Tajer
-Saheb
Almatjer
Entrepreneur / مقاول :N / Moqawel
Business / N: -عمل
مهمّة-
تجارة
قضية-
شأن- / -Amal
-Mohemah
Tejareyah
-Qadeyah
-Shaa`n
Profits / N:ربح-
كسب-
فائدة-
V:
ينفع-
يفيد- / -Rebh
-Kaseb
-Faa`edah
-Nafea`
-Yufeed / نفع
فاد
Cost / N: -ثمن
كلفة-
نفقة-
حساب-
V:
كلف-
يكلف- / -Thaman
-Kulfah
-Nafaqah
-Hesab
-Klafa
-Yukalef / كلف-
Competition / N: تنافس-
منافسة-
مباراة- / -Tanafus
-Munafasah
-Mubarah
Income / N: دخل-
ايراد- / -Dakhal
-Eerad
Scarcity / N: ندرة-
قلة-
/ -Nudrah
-Qelah
Choice / N: الاختيار- الاصطفاء- / -Ikhteyah
-Idtefaa`
Technology / N: التكنولوجيا / Teknolojia
Freedom / حرية :N / Hureyah
Taxes / N: ضريبة / Dareebah
Tariff / N: تعريفة-
جمركية
قائمة-
أسعار / -Tae`reefah Jumrekiyah
-Qaa`emah Asaar
Wages / N: أجر-
أجرة-
V
يشنّ-
حرباً
ينشَب- / -Ajer
-Ujrah
-Ashen
Harban
-Yanshub / شنّ
نشَب
Banks / N: بَنْك-
مَصْرِف- / -Bank
-Masref
Gold / N:ذهب-
مال- / -Thahab
-Mal
Saving / N:ادخار-
توفير-
اقتصاد- / -Idekhar
-Tawfeer
-Iqtesad
Loans / N: -قرْض
سُلْفَة-
V:يُقرض / -Qard
-Sulfah
Yaqred / قرض
Interest (on loans) / N: -فائدة / Faa`edah
Government / حكومة: N / Hukumah

Terms for the various currencies in the North African region

Country / Currency in English / Currency In Arabic / Pronunciation / Dollar Sign
Algeria / Dinar / دينار / Dinar / DA
Egypt / Pound / جنيه / Junaeh / £E
Ethiopia / Birr / بر / Birr / Br
Kenya / Shilling / شلنج / Shilling / K Sh
Libya / Dinar
/ دينار / Dinar / LD
Morocco / Dirham / درهم / Dirham / DH
Sudan / Pound / جنيه
سوداني / Junaeh
Sudanee
Tunisia / Dinar / دينار / Dinar / TD

Any Arabic terms related to scarcity of water

Word / In Arabic / Pronunciation
Drought
Dry
Weather / جاف-
قحط-
جَدْب-
جَفَاف-
قَحْل-
مَحْل-
نَشَف- / -Jaf
-Qaht
-Judub
-Jafaf
-Qahl
-Mahl
-Nashif
Scarcity
(of) water / ندرة-
ظمأ-
قلة-
الماء / -Nudrah
-Thama`
-Qelah

Any Arabic word origin for arid climates

Word / In Arabic / Pronunciation
Climates
Deserts
Aridity
Little rain
Drizzle / طَقْس
صحراوي
قحولة-
يبوسة-
جفاف-
قليل اّمطار
رَذاذ / Taqs
Sahrawi
-Qohulah
-Yubosah
-Jafaf
Qaleel Alamtar
Rathath

Any Arabic words for different rock types (ie. Sandstone)

Words / In arabic / Pronounciiation
Stone / حجر / Hajar
Rocks / حجر / Hajar
sandstone / حجر رملي / Hajar Ramlee
Igneous (Rocks) / بُرْكَانِيّ-
نارِيّ- / -Burkanee
-Naree
Sedimentary / رُسُوبِيّ / Rusubee
Metamorphic / مَسْخِيّ / Maskhee
Shale / سِجِّيل-
طِينٌ يابس- / -Sejeel
-Teen Yabes
Slate / أَرْدُوَاز / -Irduwaz
Basalt / حِجَارَةُ الحَرَّة / Hjarah Hurah
Limestone / حجر الكلس-
. حجر الجير- / Hajar AlKels
Hajar Aljeer

All statistics on the following pages are taken from the CIA World Fact Book -

Morocco

Imports:Crude petroleum, textile fabrics, telecommunications equipment, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics (France, Spain, Italy, China, Saudi Arabia, Germany, US, Netherlands)

Exports:Clothing, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers, petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish (Spain, France, Italy, UK, India)

Currency:Moroccan dirhams (7.5 per dollar)

GDP:$137.4B, $4000 (per capita), 5.3% growth rate

Algeria

Imports:Capital equipment, foodstuffs, consumer goods (France, China, Italy, Spain, US, Germany, Russia, Turkey)

Exports:Petroleum, natural gas, petroleum products (US, Italy, Spain, Canada, France, Netherlands)

Currency:Algerian dinars (63 per dollar)

GDP:$240.2B, $7100 (per capita), 3.4% growth rate

Tunisia

Imports:Textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Libya)

Exports:Clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons, electrical equipment (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Libya)

Currency:Tunisian dinars (1.2 per dollar)

GDP:$83.4B, $8,000 (per capita), 4.7% growth

Libya

Imports:Machinery, semi-finished goods, food, transport equipment, consumer products (Italy, Germany, China, Tunisia, France, Turkey, US)

Exports:Crude oil, refined petroleum products, chemicals, natural gas (Italy, Germany, France, Spain, US)

Currency:Libyan dinars (1.2 per dollar)

GDP:$92B, $14,900 (per capita), 7.3% growth

Egypt

Imports:Machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels (US, China, Italy, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Russia)

Exports:Crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals (US, Italy, Spain, Syria, Saudi Arabia, UK)

Currency:Egyptian pounds (5.4 per dollar)

GDP:$425.5B, $5500 (per capita), 7% growth rate

Sudan

Imports:Foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles, wheat (China, Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, UAE, Japan)

Exports:Oil and petroleum products, cotton, sesame, livestock, groundnuts, gum arabic, sugar (China – 82%, Japan, UAE)

Currency:Sudanese pounds (2.1 per dollar)

GDP:$88.95B, $2200 (per capita), 5.3%

Western Sahara

Imports:Fuel for fishing, Foodstuffs

Exports:Phosphates

North Africa Economic Analysis Paper (25 Points)

As you have hopefully realized throughout this semester, economics is happening around us all of the time. Now you have some of the tools you need to analyze these events. For this paper, find a news article on North Africa (in a newspaper, in a magazine, online, etc.) that you believe can be analyzed using one or more of the concepts we have discussed in this class. You DO NOT have to stick to obvious business examples. In fact, I believe a more interesting paper is likely to come from analyzing a news story that, on its surface, does not appear to have anything to do with economics. Also, focus on news, not opinion, pieces. Make sure the analysis comes from you, not from the writer of the article. Even better, disagree with the author, but be sure to make a solid argument for why you are doing so. This should not be hard. There are many examples of economic ignorance in the press. Then, once you have found, read, and critically examined your news article, answer the following questions:

  1. What is happening in the article? Give a brief run-down of the important details of the story. (6 points)
  2. What economic concept or concepts does this example illustrate? Make sure to explain yourself. Why does the example illustrate this (these) principle (principles)? Defend your arguments. Be instructive and persuasive. This section should be the meat of the paper. I DO NOT want a summary of events. I want an ANALYSIS of the events based on economic principles. Also, try to go beyond the basics of opportunity cost, price, etc. (although do not ignore these factors). Think in terms of incentives and higher level concerns. If pertinent, use the explicit models that we have developed in this class. (S-D, AS-AD, Agg. Exp., etc.) Well constructed graphs can also be of use here. This is your chance to demonstrate that you understand the material that we have covered over the course of this semester. (10 points)
  3. Does the writer of the article seem to understand these principles? Do you agree or disagree with his or her viewpoint? Are there any other important details/issues that you think need to be discussed in regard to the story? What suggestions do you have, either for the writer or for the individuals about whom the article is written? (4 points)

Papers should be roughly ONE to TWO PAGES (approximately 250 -500 words) – TYPED and DOUBLE SPACED. Moreover, style (grammar and spelling) will count. Make sure to turn in the article analyzed along with your paper. Any papers that are not accompanied by a copy of the relevant article WILL NOT BE GRADED.

Word of advice: Go to see the writing tutors in the ARC. Have them proofread your paper. It WILL help.