Mark A. Martinez Behavioral science 307
Spring 2004 CSU, bakersfield
DEVELOPING POLITICAL SYSTEMS
This is a survey course of the challenges facing the political development of states and regions around the world. Drawing from traditional modernization, dependency and “neoliberal” schools of thought this course evaluates the development of countries and regions around the world from both an historical and a contemporary perspective. From modernization and dependency schools we will learn that linear models of development and claims of exploitation – while interesting and even sustainable in some instances – are too simplistic for understanding politics and development around the world. More practically we will also learn how cold war policies and east-west struggles placed limits on the options available to countries during most of the 20th century. Many of these limits, as we will see in the second half of the course, have been lifted by the end of the cold war but have been replaced by new challenges in the 21st century.
This historical perspective will allow us to understand how ideas, policies and economic forces have defined what is possible throughout the world, while allowing us to understand how individual why political development continues to be such an elusive quest. To bring this course to life, every week we will focus on specific individuals or countries to illustrate the relationship between economic forces, social change, and political development. In sum, without depending on any linear or deterministic theory, we will examine the challenges and prospects to political development around the world in the 21st century.
Required Texts
The following four books are required:
1. Joseph N. Weatherby, et al. The Other World: Issues and Politics of the Developing World, 5th edition. NY, NY: Longman, 2003.
2. Vicky Randall and Robin Theobald. Political Change and Underdevelopment: A Critical Introduction to Third World Politics, 2nd edition. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1998.
3. Hernando de Soto. The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else. NY, NY: Basic Books, 2000.
4. Carolina Maria de Jesus (translated by David St. Clair). Child of the Dark: The Diary of Carolina Maria de Jesus. NY, NY: Mentor, 1962.
Grading and Course Requirements
Students will be required to take two one-hour written mid-term exams, make one power point presentation, present a 9-10 page research paper drawn from the topics listed from the course syllabus (weeks 1-10), and take a final comprehensive exam. Although lectures and readings will not necessarily coincide, students will be tested on their knowledge of both. The mid-terms and research paper will count for 20% each of the final grade, for a total of 60%. The final exam will represent 30% of your final grade for a total of 90%. The remaining 10% is based on your presentation and class participation. Blue books are required for all exams. Failure to secure a blue book for the exam will result in a partial grade penalty on your exam grade; e.g. from a “B+” to a “B.” After the first week of class I will make available a list of readings that you may draw from to make your presentation.
Preparing For Your Presentations, Papers, & Exams
Because political science is a field of observation and analysis, exams and submitted reports must be both well organized and analytical - and not merely descriptive. As such, successful exams and reports will exhibit the following elements:
1. Identify the key problems of the topic or issue at hand.
2. Identify and evaluate alternative point(s) of view.
3. Elaboration of your own argument.
It is expected that submitted research papers will: include a title page, have page numbers, have proper margins, be double-spaced, have between 23-27 lines, be of 12 font, have proper citations (where appropriate), list sources, be presented in Palatino, Times, Times New Roman, or New York style font, and contain a suitable conclusion. In sum, scholarly style and presentation are expected. Deviations from these guidelines will count against your final paper grade.
Class Decorum/Electrical Equipment
Related to this, it is my view that you are all mature adults who have made genuine commitments to your education. Part of making this commitment is being aware that you are participating in a public forum every time you enter class. For this reason I expect every student who attends class to follow basic public standards and university etiquette, and will:
(1) Arrive on time.
(2) Not talk during class lecture.
(3) Not walk out in the middle of lecture (breaks will be given).
(4) Not bring in anything to eat or snack on (something to drink is fine).
(5) Be prepared to be active participants in your education process. This means that you adhere to the above four points and come prepared to do more than “just take notes.”
Finally, it is expected that students will respect the environment of the class - and the wishes of other students - and turn off beepers, cell phones, or any other electrical equipment that have the potential for disrupting the continuity of class. Failure to respect these guidelines during class lecture will be treated with accordingly. Failure to respect these guidelines during a mid-term, presentation, or final exam will result in an automatic five (5) point deduction from the mid-term exam grade of the offending party. If you believe you have a reason to be exempt from these “electrical” guidelines, please see me at your earliest convenience. In return for your undivided attention I promise to provide a constructive and stimulating intellectual environment.
extra credit / Make Up Exams / Late Assignments
If you are interested in extra credit you may want to consider giving an additional presentation for the materials listed in weeks 8-10. No more than one extra credit presentation will be allowed by any one student. Note: Extra credit presenters must present on materials NOT selected by students for regular presentations and will be allowed only if we are on schedule and have time. If you are interested in making an extra credit presentation discuss this with the professor as we head into Week 7.
Medical emergencies notwithstanding, if you cannot make it to either of the mid-terms, or cannot turn in your written assignments on time, you should drop this course. As a general rule, you should try and have your written assignments finished at least three days prior to their due date. Put another way, computer crashes, printing problems, car problems, “I’m not on campus that day…”, etc. are not acceptable excuses for suspending your commitments to this class.
Instructor Information
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Office: BPA 241 Office Hours: T/Th 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Th 8:05 pm – 8:30 pm
(and by appointment)
Phone: 664-2352 (voice mail) E-Mail:
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Part I
From Colonialism & Independence to Early Development Efforts
Week 1: From Colonialism to Independence
· Weatherby, et al., Chapter 1: “The Other World”.
· Weatherby, et al., Chapter 2: “The Old and the New – Colonialism, Neocolonialism, and Nationalism”.
Week 2: The Understanding Political Development … and Political Economy
· Weatherby, et al., Chapter 3: “Political Economy”.
· Randall and Theobald, Chapter 1: “Towards a Politics of Modernisation and Development”.
Week 3: Stubborn Patterns and Challenges to Early Development Efforts
· Randall and Theobald, Chapter 3: “Modernisation Revisionism”.
· Randall and Theobald, Chapter 4: “The Emergence of a Politics of Order”.
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- Mid-Term #1 -
Thursday, April 15
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Part II
Issues in Political Development Through the Cold War
Week 4: Global Aid Efforts and their Impact on Women & Development
· Weatherby, et al., Chapter 4: “Women and Development”.
· Book: Child of the Dark. The entire book.
Week 5: Development in the Middle East & Africa – The OPEC Response
· Weatherby, et al., Chapter 6: “Sub-Saharan Africa”.
· Weatherby, et al., Chapter 8: “The Middle East and North Africa”.
Week 6: Development in Latin America – Authoritarianism, Debt & Drugs
· Weatherby, et al., Chapter 5: “Latin America”.
Week 7: Social Science and the Study of Political Development
· Randall and Theobald, Chapter 4: “Dependency Theory and the Study of Politics”.
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- Mid-Term #2 -
Thursday / May 13, 2004
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Part III
From “Lost Decades” to Neoliberal Revolution
Week 8: Launching the Neoliberal Revolution
· Weatherby, et al., Chapter 7: “Asia”.
Week 9: The Mystery of Capital
· De Soto: The Entire Book.
Week 10: Prospects for the Future
· Randall and Theobald, Chapter 6: “Globalisation and the Study of Political Change”.
· Weatherby, et al., Chapter 9: “Prospects for the Future”.
*** PAPERS DUE: Monday, June 7, 2004 / 12 noon ***
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- FINAL -
Thursday / June 10, 2004
5:00 - 7:30 pm
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