Class Meets: South 300, normally M-F 9-11 but
there are days when the schedule will be different than this. Please read
carefully the schedule below, especially for the first Friday of the term.
Purpose --
This course is primarily a "research seminar" that
deals with how various "developing countries" have transformed their political
economies over the past two decades or so. The course will be primarily thematic
in that we will investigate a variety of issues (e.g., transitions to democracy,
the role of the military, women and development) being dealt with by countries
in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. We finish the course
with paper presentations from students on the particular countries of their
choice. In addition, there will be at least two guest lectures on Afghanistan
and terrorism by experts from beyond Cornell College .
Requirements --
-
One essay exam worth 30% of the course
total.
-
One 15-page paper worth 55% of the course
grade (35% for the paper, 10% for the first
oral presentation, and 10% for the second presentation).
The paper will deal with the recent political/economic development experience
of a particular country and is due on Wednesday, March 26 at 5:00 p.m.
-
You should be thinking about a paper topic immediately.
Indeed, our meeting with Consulting Librarian Corey Williams Green
on the first Tuesday of the term will largely be a working session.
-
During Weeks 3 and 4, each student will also be responsible
for two 20-minute oral presentations of her/his findings. Also, you should
note that everyone will see me on the first Thursday for a paper conference.
At this conference, you should be ready to discuss with me not only the
country of choice but also the issues/themes you wish to research.
There is no roughdraft required. However, if you wish me to read one,
it must be to me no later than Wednesday, March 19 to allow me
time to read it and comment on it by Friday the 21st.
* You also should note that a roughdraft should not be so rough that
I would need to edit it extensively. The primary purpose of submitting
a roughdraft is to get my feedback as to whether you are covering the
topic correctly and organizing your thoughts in a logical fashion.
-
Class participation is worth 15% of the
course grade. It is imperative that you attend class and your
peers' oral presentations. If you fail to attend any of the presentations,
you will be unable to earn higher than a C- for class participation.
Readings --
Howard Handelman, The Challenge of Third World Development (Third
Edition).
Annual Editions, Developing World 03-04 (A&E).
Schedule:
Week 1- March 3-7
Monday -- 9-11 - Introduction: issues to be studied.
Tuesday -- 9-10 - Theoretical approaches to the
study of developing countries. Handelman, Chapter 1.
10-11 - Meet w/Corey Williams Green in the Library for research instruction
and work session. Library, Room 126.
Wednesday -- 9-11 - The meaning of democracy. Is democracy
possible in the developing world? Handelman, Chapter 2. A&E, Chapters
26-27, 30-31.
Thursday -- 9-11 - Religion and politics. Handelman,
Chapter 4. A&E, Chapters 17-18.
1-4 - Paper conferences.
Friday - 10-11 - Guest lecturer, Bahram Tavakolian (Denison
University), will speak on Afghanistan. Reserve articles by Tavakolian, Rashid,
and Shahrani. A&E, Chapter 28; Washington Post op-ed (handout).
11-12 - Lecture re Afghanistan (Hedges Lounge)
1-2 - Discussion re Afghanistan
Week 2 -- March 10-14
Monday -- 9-11 - Cultural pluralism and ethnic conflicts.
Handelman, Chapter 4; A&E, Chapters 20-24.
Tuesday -- 9-11 - Women and development. Handelman,
Chapter 5; A&E, Chapters 40-43; Moghadam (reserve).
Wednesday -- 9-11 - Agrarian reform and the politics
of rural change. Handelman, Chapter 6; A&E, Chapters 8-9.
Thursday -- 9-11 - Revolutionary change: how likely?
Handelman, Chapter 8.
Friday - 9-11 - The military and politics. Handelman,
Chapter 9.
Week 3 - March 17-21
Monday - 9-11 and 1-3 - Presentations of outlines/rough
drafts.
Tuesday - 9-11 - Political economy of third world development:
state versus market? Handelman, Chapter 10; A&E, Chapters 1, 3, 5-7, 10,
12.
Wednesday - 9-11 - Other issues: population,
pollution, information, etc. A&E, Chapters 15-16, 33-35, 37-38.
Thursday - 9-11 - Guest lecturer, Dr. Sean Farren,
will speak on terrorism. A&E, Chapters 19, 25.
Friday - 9-12 - Course exam.
Week 4 -- March 24-26
Monday - 9-11:15 - Paper presentations.
Tuesday - 9-11:15 - Paper presentations.
Wednesday - No class. Paper due at 5 p.m.
