2010 Spring PUBPOL 264S-50
Bulletin Course Description Selected topics. Seminar version of Public Policy Studies 264. Instructor: Staff
(Instructor named in bulletin description above may not be current. For current instructor, see listing below.)
Title ASSISTING DEVELOPMENT Department PUBPOL Course Number 2010 Spring 264S Section Number 50 Primary Instructor Krishna,Anirudh Prerequisites
Synopsis of course content
COURSE TITLE: Understanding and Assisting Development in the Third World
SYNOPSIS: What factors account for the persistence of poverty in some countries? Is it always going to be the same way – i.e., will poor people remain poor within the foreseeable future – or can something be done to reduce poverty (or at least alleviate its most painful consequences)? Academics and policymakers have come up with alternative formulations as they have attempted to deal with poverty over the last 50 years. This class will provide advanced undergraduates and graduate students with an overview of social and economic development in developing countries since the early 1950s. What problems do residents of developing countries face, what kinds of solutions have been advanced to deal with these problems, how have different solutions fared in practice, and what needs to be done now and in future? We will trace how development practice has evolved in the theoretical literature, and we will use this knowledge to investigate what needs to be done now and in future.
Textbooks
No textbooks are required. Book chapters and journal articles assigned for each class meeting will be posted on Blackboard. Students are expected to do all readings in advance and come prepared for class discussions.
Assignments
1. Research Paper (60 percent)
2. Two Discussant Papers (15 percent)
3. One Journal Research Paper(15 percent)
4. Class Participation (10 percent)
Exams
None
Term Papers
Students will write individual research papers (15-20 pages, single-spaced) that will either (a) analyze past and present development practice in a country of their choice, or (b) examine trends within a particular sector (e.g., population, gender relations, environmental issues, etc.) selected by them.
