09:00 AM to 11:40 AM F
Innovation Hall 132
Section Information for Spring 2015
The objective of this course is to study Economic Development for Africa, rooted in history, clarified by theory and exemplified by emerging country cases and current and recent events. There is good news out of Africa, however not all of Africa, but since mid 1990s several countries, in particular in Sub-Sahara, have managed to break out of devastating civil wars, social misery and poor economic performance and governance, beginning to build a better future for their citizens. These “emerging countries” are moving towards emerging democracy, rule of law, market economic policies, moving out of debt crises, focusing on technology and education, striving for a role in the global economy as partners of trade and with a new generation of managers and political leaders, the “Cheetahs”. Africa is a diverse continent and is better understood – from an economic development perspective – in terms of how natural and human resources are managed.
We will distinguish between oil producing, emerging democracies (building economic, political and social institutions) and other (often dictatorships) groups of countries. We will consider the role that economic policies, institutions and management (governance) of a transition from a traditionally more personal, social exchange system to an extended order of markets for impersonal exchange, international collaboration and trade. The course is characterized by three components – historic development, theory and cases (core), including institutional analysis, and something on the “Arab Spring” and its recent change to “Winter”.
We will also try to integrate current events including epidemics and rise in extreme terrorism.
The development discussion will be framed by the management (governance) issues in making the transition towards a more efficient economic, social and political structure. After the class you will be able to better analyze African Economic Development issues and policies and better understand global economic affairs and their relation and impact on a diverse Africa, perhaps thinking up new policies for the African countries.
This course will be taught in a classroom but over video, with class discussions. This will allow you to have access to the recorded lessons. A number of other interactive features will be tried during this class/Blackboard.
The examination will include a take-home exam (no in-class exams), a term paper (key) and short writings.
Welcome!
eullberg@gmu.edu
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Credits: 3
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