Economics 356: Economic Development of Latin America

Economics 356: Economic Development of Latin America

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ECONOMICS 356

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF LATIN AMERICA

SPRING 2010

Instructor:Professor Rose-Marie Avin

Office:Schneider 473

Phone:836-4513

E-mail:

Office Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday:9:30-10:30 am

Thursday: 1-3 pm

And by appointment at any other time

No Prerequisites

Welcome to Economics 356. This course studies the economic development of countries in Latin America. More specifically, this course provides a historical, institutional, and international framework for understanding the social and economic realities of Latin American countries. We will discuss the nature of economics and economic development, study how colonialism shaped the socioeconomic features of Latin America, discuss the role of international institutions, analyze economicstrategies and their impact on economic development, and discuss issues/problems of development in the context of specific case studies.

I.UWEC: THE BACCALAUREATE GOALS

“The University seeks to foster the intellectual, personal, cultural, and social development of each student… The baccalaureate degree at UWEC provides students with the knowledge and abilities needed for lifelong learning. In designing the degree, the faculty expect that graduates will have achieved the following goals.

  1. Knowledge of Human Culture and the Natural World
  2. Creative and Critical Thinking
  3. Effective Communication
  4. Individual and Social Responsibility
  5. Respect for Diversity among People

(University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 2009-2010 catalogue, p. 4)

II.THE COURSE: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In keeping with the 5 baccalaureate goals listed above, this course seeks to develop your “intellectual, personal, cultural and social development” within the context of Economics.

More specifically, this course will help you develop a well-informed and critical understandingof the process of economic development. In this course, you will :

A.Understand and begin to use the jargon used by economists. More specifically, you will:

1.Define economic terms/concepts.

  1. Use economic terms in your discussions, exams, and book review.

B.Develop insights into the nature of the discipline of economics and

the nature of economic development (baccalaureate goal #2). More specifically, you will:

1.Explain the various assumptions underlying the economic models.

  1. Explain the various implications of each model.
  2. Critically evaluate each model.

C.Understand the role of colonialism in shaping the socioeconomic features of Latin America (baccalaureate goal #2).

  1. Understand the role of the international economy in influencing the

economic development of many countries in Latin America (baccalaureate goal #2).

  1. Gain insights into the socio-economic realities of women in the developing

world (baccalaureate goals #1, 2 and 5).

  1. Compare and contrast the social and economic realities existing in various Latin

American countries (baccalaureate goals #1, 2).

G.Improve your writing skills. More specifically, you will write 3 essay exams and

one book review (baccalaureate goals # 2 and 3).

H.Be knowledgeable about current economic events and become a more engaged

citizen(baccalaureate goal #4). To that effect, you will be required to read articles from various newspapers and magazines.

III.READINGS:

A.Required

Franko, Patrice. The Puzzle of Latin American Economic Development. Lanham, New York, London, Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2007, third edition.

  1. Other Readings
  1. Pertinent articles fromThe New York Times, The Economist, the North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA) and othernewspapers and magazines.
  1. Other Resources

Todaro, Michal P. and Stephen C. Smith. Economic Development, tenth edition, 2009 (Some chapters on E-RESERVE).

Some of the following books will also be used. Assigned readings are ON

E-RESERVE.

  1. Angresano, James. Comparative Economics. New Jersey: Prentice Hall,

second edition, 1996.

  1. Barker, Drucilla K. and Feiner, Susan F. Liberating Economics, 2004.
  2. Booth, John, Wade Christine, and Walker, Thomas. Understanding CentralAmerica, fourth edition, 2006.
  3. Cardoso, Eliana and Helwege, Ann. Latin America’s Economy, 1992.

5.Colander, David C. Economics, seventh edition, 2008.

6. Ferber, Marianne A. and Nelson, Julie A. editors. Beyond Economic Man

Feminist Theory and Economics, 1993.

7.Goodwin Jr, Paul B., Global Studies: Latin America, 2009, thirteenth edition.

8. Human Development Report 2007/2008, published annually by the United

Nations.

9. Sen, Amartya. Development as Freedom, 1999.

10.Wiarda, Howard, Kline, Hardey, editors. Latin American Politics andDevelopment, sixth edition, 2007.

11. World Development Report 2010, published annually by the World Bank.

IV.COURSE WORK

1.3 essay examinations300 points (100 points each)

2.Book Review* 100 points

(8-10 pages + cover page + bibliography)

3.Ten current event quizzes** 100points

4.In-class participation*** 50 points

5.Participation in D2L novel discussion**** 40 points

6.D2L Discussion of articles 60 points

TOTAL POINTS650 POINTS

*See handout. A detailed handout will be discussed in class next week.

**Note: There is NO make-up for missed current event quizzes. One quiz (the one with lowest points) is dropped automatically at the end of the semester.

***See Section VII below

****Guidelines given later during the semester.

V.PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Grades will be determined according to the following grading system:

A = 94-100%C = 73-76%

A- = 90-93C- = 70-72

B+ = 87-89D+ = 67-69

B = 83-86D = 63-66

B- = 80-82D- = 60-62

C+ = 77-79F = below 60%

ATTENTION:Students will have an opportunity to earn a MAXIMUM of 10

EXTRA CREDITS in participating in an out-of-class activity.

(See page 9 of the syllabus for more details)

VI. POLICY ON MISSED EXAMS AND QUIZZES

Exams and quizzes must be taken as scheduled. If you think that you have a special case(supported by documents from the dean of students’ office),you need to schedule an appointment to discuss it with me. A grade of zero will be given to all missed exams and quizzes.

VII.ATTENDANCE POLICY AND CLASS PARTICIPATION

Students will receive a maximum of 50 points for class participation. Class participation is rewarded because it is a public good.

Attendance is taken at each class session and regular attendance is expected. Attendance will play a role in grade determination because it will affect your class participation grade. You are allowed three unexcused absences during the semester. Use them wisely because each additional absence will lower your class participation grade by 10 points.

Criteria for class participation: To receive 50 points for class participation, one needs to meet the following criteria:

  • have 3 unexcusedabsences or less
  • And actively and consistently participate in class discussion.

VIII.ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Academic misconduct in this course is a serious offense and I will pursue the strongest possible academic penalties for such behavior. The disciplinary procedures and penalties for academic misconduct are described in the UW- Eau Claire Student Services and Standards Handbook.

IX.CLASS ETIQUETTE: DO’S AND DON’TS

DO1. Take advantage of my office hours. Please feel free to see me for help.

2. Ask questions in class. We can learn from exchanging ideas.

3. Read assigned chapters before class to be able to participate in class.

4. Turn off your cell phone before walking into the classroom.

DO NOT1. Always be late for class. If you have difficulty being on time because of another class, please inform me.

2. Leave the classroom in the middle of a lecture. It is very annoying. If you have to leave early because of circumstances beyond your control, please let me know.

3. Constantly chat with the person next to you.

X. IMPORTANT INFORMATION

If you have a disability and you are in need of classroom accommodations, please

let me know or contact the office of Services for Students with Disabilities (Schofield 201, phone: 836-4542).You can also visit the website at

COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS

PART I.NATURE OF ECONOMICS AND ECON DEVT

A. The Nature and Methodologies of Economics

  1. Colander: “Economics and Economic Reasoning”chapter 1 (On E-Reserve).
  2. Feiner, “Three Economic Paradigms” (On E-Reserve).

3.Stanley, Brue: “The Institutionalist School,” chapter 19, pages 387-399. (E-Reserve)

4.Angresano, James, “An Introduction to the Study of Comparative

Economics,” ch. 1, pages 7-14. (On E-Reserve)

  1. Video: “If Women Counted”
  2. Strassman, chapter 3 of Ferber and Nelson: “Not a Free Market: The Rhetoric of Disciplinary Authority in Economics.” (E-Reserve)

B.The Nature of Economic Development

1.Todaro and Smith, Economic Development, chapter 1

2.Franko, The Puzzle of Latin American Development, chapter 1 (pages 1-17).

3.Sen,Development as Freedom: Introduction, chapter1 (OnE-Reserve);

The Ends and the Means of Development (pages 35-41): chapter 2 of Sen’s book. (On E-Reserve)

C.Case Study: Venezuela

1.The Nation: “Chavez’s Fix,” February 10, 2008. (Handout)

2.Video: The Hugo Chavez Show, Frontline, PBS, 2008

D.Case Study: Brazil

1. Video: Brazil (The Americas series) ON RESERVE

2.Brazil, “Getting it Together at Last: A Special Report on Business and Finance in Brazil,” The Economist, November 14, 2009,(Handout)

3.Todaro and Smith: Case Study of Brazil (p. 28-34)(Handout)

4.Slides’ presentation

EXAM #1: MONDAY, MARCH 8

PART II.THE ROLE OF INSTITUTIONS: HISTORY,CHARACTERISTICS, AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

A.Historical Perspectives

1.Cardoso and Helwege, Latin America’s Economy, chapter 2 on historical roots(On E-Reserve)

2.Franko, ch. 2.

3. Video: The Buried Mirror, programs 2 and 4.(HANDOUT))

B.Characteristics of Latin American Countries

1.Todaro and Smith, Comparative Economic Development, chapter 2: pages 39-71. (On E-Reserve)

2. Franko, Ch. 1: pages 2-10.

3.World Development Report, 2010(Handout).

4.Human Development Report, 2007/2008(Handout).

5.Video: The Buried Mirror, program 1 (ON RESERVE)

C.The Role of International Institutions

1.Todaro and Smith, Appendix 14.1 (pages 696-605) (Handout)

2.Video: Introduction to the International Monetary Fund

3.Video: The World Bank Today: Challenges and Change (25 minutes)

D.Case Study: Argentina

1. Video: Argentina (The Americas Series), ON RESERVE

2.Video: Argentina: Hope in Hard Times!

EXAM #2: MONDAY, APRIL 19

PART III.PROBLEMS OF DEVELOPMENT

A.Poverty, and Inequality

  1. Franko, Ch. 11

B.Case Studies: Cuba andNicaragua

1.Cuba from Global Studies: Latin America(Handout)

2.Video: Voices of Cuba (ON RESERVE)

3.Slides: Cuba

4.Nicaragua from Global Studies: Latin America (Handout

5.Nicaragua, chapter 5 of Understanding Central America by John A. Booth, Christine J. Wade, and Thomas W. Walker, pages 69-114.(On E-Reserve)

6.Slides: Nicaragua

PART IV.THEORIES AND POLICIES

  1. Contemporary Trade Policy
  1. Franko, ch. 8

B.Case Study: Mexico and Nafta

1. “Time to Wake Up: A Survey of Mexico,” The Economist, November 18, 2006 (HANDOUT)

2.Video: NAFTA

EXAM #3: WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 3-4:50 pm

OUT-OF-CLASS ACTIVITY FOR EXTRA CREDITS

During the semester, you will have the opportunity to earn a maximum of TEN Extra Credit points by PARTICIPATING in an out-of-class activity. The goal of the activity is twofold:

  1. To enhance your cultural diversity (ideas, national, and international cultures) (baccalaureate goal #5);
  1. To use the university as a learning environment.

The following guidelines must be followed or no full credit:

  1. Information about the paper:
  • Cover page: Write your name, section number, and the title of the activity;
  • Length: a minimum of two full pages;
  • Format:
  • Write an organized summary of the major points of the speaker (50 percent of paper) AND discuss your reaction to the activity or what you have learned from the activity (50 percent of the paper).
  • Paper should have an introduction and a conclusion.
  • Note: paper should be well-written and grammatically correct. Otherwise, points will be taken off.
  1. The summary has to be typewritten or word-processed using Times New Roman (12) font and double-spaced with one-inch left margin.
  2. Attach the ticket pertaining to the event to show PROOF OFATTENDANCE. No credit given without proof of attendance.
  3. Turn in the assignment one week after the event.
  4. The activity needs to be approved by the instructor.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  1. I’m not responsible for papers left underneath my door or in my mailbox.
  2. Be aware that there may a FEE charged at some university-sponsored events.
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