University of Alberta Economics Department ECON 213 – A1 Introduction to the Economics of Developing Countries
Fall 2018 Instructor: Scott Beesley
Classes: – Monday, Wed./Fri. from 11:00 to 11:50 AM in Tory 1 - 103
Office: Tory 9-13 Phone: 780-248-1322 email: [email protected] Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 PM
Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM or by appointment
A survey of the major approaches to and problems of economic development in the less developed countries with particular emphasis on issues relating to savings and investment, income distribution, employment and population growth, and trade and aid.
Prerequisites: ECON 101 and 102 or equivalent. Note that the department checks prerequisites, and you will be removed from the class if you don’t have 101 and 102.
Textbooks:
William Easterly The Elusive Quest for Growth – Economists’ Adventures and Misadventures in the Tropics, MIT Press, 2002.
Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo Poor Economics – A Radical Rethinking of the way to Fight Global Poverty, Public Affairs, 2011
Many additional readings will be posted or handed out on actual paper (!) Many course items etc. will be posted, but there is no guarantee that everything done in class will also be available online! The web site is found in e-class.
Grade Determination Note that I do not apply/enforce any particular grade distribution – the usual median letter grade is a B- or B. Letter grade boundaries are placed where there are gaps between pools of students.
Students who show up for class do much better!
Assignments: 40% (total) There are two assignments, note their differing sizes and course weights. The detailed assignments are posted.
The first has a limit of 900 words, covering a commodity market, and it is due on Friday, November 9 by 11:50 AM (i.e. by the end of the class). It is worth 15% of the grade. Papers received after the end of class lose 25% of whatever their gross mark amounts to. At midnight, another 25% comes off (so an 80%
paper received anytime on November 10 gets a net 40%, for example). At midnight at the end of the 10th, the deduction becomes 75%, and finally after the end of Nov. 11, no credit is given.
The second assignment has a 1600 word limit, and it is due on Wednesday, December 5, again by the end of class. This will be a detailed study regarding a particular country, discussing its development or the lack thereof. The second assignment is worth 25% of the course. Papers can still be handed in later that day, but will lose 25%. Thus, a paper received later on the 5th gets marked with the rest, then that mark is multiplied by 0.75. On the 6th, the factor is 0.50, the 7th, 0.25, and zero thereafter, the same as for the first assignment.
Examinations: 60% (total) Old exams are posted – note that the current exams are 50% multiple-choice.
Midterm: 25% The midterm is on Friday, October 19. It covers everything done up to and including the October 15 class. (October 17 is a fun-only look at the Fair Trade movement.)
Final Exam: 35% The final will be based on the material studied after the midterm. IF you do not write the midterm, for any reason, you will be required to write a different, fully cumulative final exam.
Please put your LAST NAME FIRST on the scantron sheets, and provide the last 7 digits of your student number.
Missed exams:
1) Note that the University has made a change to the policy regarding missed midterm exams and other term work. Medical notes can no longer be required, in the event of such missed work. The student may choose to provide a Medical Declaration Form, but again, that is not a requirement. HOWEVER, the instructor will still have some discretion as to whether or not the work will be made up, or the weight transferred to the final exam. In general a missed midterm will result in the weight being transferred to the final exam (my policy only - Beesley). As noted on the previous page, if you skip the midterm you will get a different, fully cumulative final. Instructors may also require documentation regarding missed work in some cases. Refer to section 23.4(3) of the Calendar.
2) If you miss the final exam for a valid medical reason or severe domestic affliction, you may apply to your own Faculty for the privilege of a re-write.
Please refer to section 23.5.6 of the University Calendar for the proper procedure. The Faculties of Arts and Science require that the student complete a Statutory Declaration in support of their request for a deferred final.
Behavior and ethics
Students should know the university’s Code of Student Behaviour and abide by it (see below). You are advised to read section 30.3.2 on “Inappropriate Academic Behavior” in particular. I do not tolerate talking in class, the use of phones etc., and will kick you out of class after one warning.
Code of Conduct
Policy about course outlines can be found in the Evaluation Procedures and Grading System section of the University Calendar.
The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).
Note that in 213, we have had students get zero for cut-and-paste papers that had little or no original writing. If credit is not given for another’s writing, it will be considered plagiarism. If you have trouble getting started, come see me!
Resources which students may wish to access
o Student Accessibility Services: If you have a condition that may require some classroom or exam modifications, please contact Accessibility Resources (https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/student- accessibility-services/ ) to obtain a determination as to what accommodations should be made.
o Student Success Centre: The Student Success Centre
(https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/academic-success-centre ) offers a variety of learning resources, including a variety of workshops in learning effective study and exam strategies. Sessions are available in person and online, for a modest fee.
o Centre for Writers: The Centre for Writers (www.c4w.ualberta.ca) offers free one-on-one writing coaching to all students. Students can request consultation for a writing project at any stage of development, including completed and graded work.
o Many other services: https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students . The General Office
"Dept of Economics General Office is open from 8:00AM to 4:00PM, albeit CLOSED for lunch from 12 to 1 PM" Good luck. SB
