Course Syllabus

Course Information ISSS 3349 WORLD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Professor Contact Information Dr. Teresa Nelson Office: GR 3.302 Tel. tba tdale@utdallas Office Hours: Wed 5:30P-6:30P and by appointment

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions NONE

Course Description This course provides an interdisciplinary approach to discussing issues surrounding the connection between resources, technology and development. Topics can include cultural, economic, political, and sociologic dimensions of technology transfer, industrialization strategy, population growth, and education, health, poverty, and aging policies. Special attention is given to problems of those living in less-developed countries.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes Learn the meaning and process of economic development and the various methods for defining development. Develop an understanding of the complex interplay between the use of resources and economic development, especially within the developing world, and in particular with a focus on improving standards of living. Be able to question in a meaningful way how the design of policies enhance or interfere with development within political and cultural contexts. Have the ability to integrate the many dimensions of a complex problem in order to analyze important issues.

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Required Textbooks and Materials Economic Development, 4th Edition, E.W. Nafziger (Cambridge University Press, 2006) Gaviotas, 10th Anniversary Edition, A. Weisman (Chelsea Green Publishing, 2008), Part II: pp. 92-157.

Assignments & Academic Calendar I. Introduction, Establishing the Context Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapter 4.

II. The Meaning, Methodology and Measurement of Economic Development Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapters 2 and 6. World Development Report 2003 (Sustainable Development in a Dynamic World), The World Bank, pp.1-18. III. Theories of Development A. The Classical Theory of Economic Stagnation (pp. 123-126) B. Marxs Historical Materialism (pp. 126-128) C. Rostows Stages of Economic Growth (pp. 128-131) D. Balanced Versus Unbalanced Growth (pp. 132-134 and Critique p. 135; 135-136) E. The O-Ring Theory of Economic Development (pp. 137-138) F. Dependency Theory (pp. 144-148) G. The Neoclassical Counterrevolution (pp. 149-153) Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapter 5.

IV. Problems of Development A. Population Growth and Fertility Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapter 8 (pp. 271-296; 297-305). B. Employment, Unemployment and Underutilized Labor; Policies to Reduce Unemployment Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapter 9 (pp. 308-311; 325-330). D. Education, Health and Human Capital Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapter 10.

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E. Mobilizing Capital Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapter 11 (pp.361-364; 378-386) and Chapter 14 (pp. 468-471; 473-478). E. Technology Transfer Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapter 11 (pp.366-377). V. Agricultural and Rural Dimensions of Poverty A. Concepts and measures Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapter 6 (pp. 165-193). B. Policies to reduce poverty and income inequality Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapter 6 (pp. 202-212). C. Agriculture and rural areas Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapter 7 (pp. 220-245). VI. Development Strategies A. Industrialization and Agricultural Development Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapters 7 (pp. 245-267) and 17 (especially pp.591608; 612-622). B. Innovation and Technology Transfer World Development Report 2010 (Development and Climate Change) Chapter 7 (pp. 303-312). B. The Role of Aid vs. the Role of Trade Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapter 15 (pp. 508-546), Chapter 16 (551- 558, 568-569, 573-586) and Chapter 17 (pp. 591-631; 642-645). C. Sustainable Development Economic Development, Nafziger, Chapter 13

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Grading Policy
Grading is based on two in-class, closed book exams. Each exam counts 50% of the grade. There is no graded homework and there are no required papers. Since the exams are based heavily on the material discussed in class, it will be very difficult to perform well on the exams if class attendance is poor.

Course & Instructor Policies

Make-up exams would be allowed in extra-ordinary and unavoidable situations only. The student is required to get prior approval from the Professor. A make-up exam will be given at a location at UTD to be determined by the Instructor, at time determined by mutual consent between the Instructor and the student. There will be no special assignments and there will be no extra credit for attendance. All students are subject to the Universitys Codes of Student Conduct: http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/documents/UT-Dallas-Title-V-Chapter-49.pdf Students should be aware of their rights and responsibilities according to Title V of UT Dallas Handbook of Operating Procedures. http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/UTDJudicialAffairs-HOPV.html

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor.

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