Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2018 - IS 220 D100

Wealth and Poverty of Nations (3)

Class Number: 8085

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 5, 2018
    Wed, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Analyzes some of the historical reasons for the great divergence in world economic development, and undertakes a cross-country, cross-regional perspective of world economic development using a historical approach to long-run economic growth. Students with credit for INTS 220 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course explores contending arguments about trends and causes of global economic and development disparities, within and across countries. There is, of course, no single answer or approach accepted by all scholars. Consequently, the development of critical thinking about diverse answers is a critical goal of the course. While this course deals with a variety of political economy topics, each of which is somewhat self-contained, its organization is roughly chronological.

The course employs a comparative and historical approach to analyze the wealth—and poverty—of nations, drawing on a variety of social science disciplines, especially economics, political science, and history. We will alternate between trying to answer two crucial questions. The first question, “What causes underdevelopment?,” is the topic of Andy Baker’s Shaping the Developing World, while. Barry Eichengreen’s Globalizing Capital provides insights into our second question: “How does the international economy operate?” We also investigate who gains and who loses from alternative institutional arrangements. Students will use their assigned essays, as well as our class discussion, to draw lessons relevant to contemporary international development.     

Topics for this term include: * Capitalism: Its Strengths and Weaknesses  * Defining Development and Growth * Breaking the Malthusian Constraint * The Slave Trade * Colonialism and Neocolonialism * Pax Britannica and the International Gold Standard * The Interwar Years * The Bretton Woods and Post-Bretton Woods Eras * Cultural Theories of Underdevelopment * Institutional Theories of Underdevelopment * Geography and Development * Public Policy and Development

An on-going aim of the course will be integration of theory, history, and contemporary international events/news.

Grading

  • Midterm (In class, one and 1/2 hours.) 20%
  • 1st Essay 20%
  • 2nd Essay 20%
  • Class Participation & Op Ed 20%
  • FinalExam 20%

NOTES:

Students will be required to submit their written assignments to Turnitin.com in order to receive credit for the assignments and for the course.

The School for International Studies strictly enforces the University's policies regarding plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty. Information about these policies can be found at: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/teaching.html.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Baker, Andy. Shaping the Developing World: The West, the South, and the Natural World. Thousand Oaks, California: CQ Press, 2014. 

Eichengreen, Barry. Globalizing Capital: A History of the International Monetary System, 2nd ed. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Univ Press, 2008.  

* Additional readings to be made available electronically on Canvas


Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS