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Political Science/History/Economics/Asian Studies 395
Development, Trade and Stability in China and the Former Soviet States
Spring 2008 - Tuesday, 2:10 – 5:00 in CHCB 423
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Prof. Terry Weidner |
Prof. Jeff Bookwalter |
Office: |
Mansfield Center, MLIB, Level 4 |
LA 404 |
Phone and email: |
243-2281 terry.weidner@umontana.edu |
243-4667 jeff.bookwalter@mso.umt.edu |
Office Hours: |
M 1-3, but am often available other times either by “drop in” or appointment. NOTE: We will arrange joint office hours as necessary |
TTH 8:30 - 9:30, W 9:30-10:30. If those times are not convenient, drop by or make an appointment |
Course Materials: |
Barry Naughton, The Chinese Economy: Transition and Growth, MIT Press, 2007. The Economist Magazine Rob Gifford, China Road: Journey into the Future of a Rising Power, Random House, 2007. There will numerous other readings distributed via email or course website. |
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General Description: This course is designed to introduce students to the modern economic, political and social environment of China and the post-Soviet Union republics. We start by looking at the 20th century history of these nations, informed by the economic development theories that determined their paths. We then look at the various reforms and transitions to more market-oriented economic systems that are currently underway in the entire region. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to examine the contradictions associated with economic development, including causes and consequences of environmental change, social dislocations, migration patterns, health problems and a wide variety of other issues.
Email List: Each student at UM is automatically assigned an email address (firstname.lastname@umontana.edu). We will use these email addresses regularly to send out readings, make class announcements, and for other things as needs arise.
Graded Assignments: Each student must attend (and write up a one page synopsis and response on) three relevant events on East Asia, Central Asia or economic development. These activities might include approved brown-bag discussions, evening lectures, films and others. We will keep you informed of the relevant events and their dates as they are scheduled. You may earn a small amount of extra credit for any additional events. If special circumstances make it difficult for you to meet the outside attendance requirement, we are happy to propose an alternative assignment.
In groups of three, students will also lead the discussion of the week’s relevant current events as found in the Economist magazine and other news sources. We will assign groups and dates the first day of class.
Finally, students will join in groups of 5-6 to complete a final group project that approximates a work assignment one might receive from a government agency. Based the class’ interest, each group will be assigned both a topic related to economic development (e.g., trade, the environment, population, energy) and a geographic focus (China, a country or countries in Central Asia, or a country or countries in the former Soviet Union). Each group will then be asked to write a 10-12 page briefing paper that: 1) analyzes the nature and complexity of the issue or problem; 2) indicates how the issue affects U.S. relations with that country or region, and 3) recommends an appropriate U.S. policy approach.
Exams: There will be one midterm and one final exam. Each will be a mix of short answer and essay questions. The final will be comprehensive but emphasize material from the last half of the course. Many discussions and topics are not found in the texts, so it is important to attend class. Except for documented emergencies and official university excused absences, make-up exams are not given. The exam dates are:
First Midterm: |
Tuesday, March 11th |
Final Exam: |
Thursday, May 8th 1:10-3:10 |
Grading:
Participation (both current events and more generally) |
15% |
Graded Writing Assignments |
15% |
Two Exams @ 25% each |
50% |
Final Project and Presentations |
20% |
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Tentative Class Schedule: this schedule is subject to change based on time constraints, class interests, etc.
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Topic |
Reading |
Week 1: 1/22 |
Class aims, organization and student responsibilities. Defining Development The Development of Underdevelopment |
Victor Lippit, “The development of under-development: an afterword” Amartya Sen, Development as Freedom, Introduction: |
Week 2: 1/29 |
Economic Systems and the evolution of economic development strategies
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Amartya Sen, “The concept of development” Todaro, Chapter 2 Naughton, chapter 2 |
Week 3: 2/5 |
The Soviet system: Overview and case studies
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Naughton, p. 55-65; 113-118; 377-380 Allen, “The rise and decline of the Soviet Economy” Roberts, “My time with Soviet Economics”
Optional, Gregory and Harrison, “Allocation Under Dictatorship.” |
Week 4: 2/12 |
Mao’s radical departures
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Naughton, p. 65-76; 231-240 |
Week 5: 2/19 |
Deng Xiaoping reform I
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Naughton, p. 77-100; 241-243; 401-410; 443-444 |
Week 6: 2/26 |
The experience of the transition economies
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Naughton, p. 100-107; 119-126; 129-35; 380-388 Stiglitz, “Who lost Russia?” Financial Systems - Dick Erb **Proposal and annotated bibliography for final project due** |
Week 7: 3/4 |
Globalization and Transition Deng Xiaoping reform II
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Naughton, p.179-199; 202-206; 209-220; 243-246; 268-9; 377-79; 388-99 Trade and the WTO - Joanna Shelton
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Week 8: 3/11 |
Midterm exam Video (Rising China)
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Prepare for exam |
Week 9: 3/18 |
Development, trade and the environment Market Externalities
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NPR reports on water scarcity in China: Worries About Water as Chinese Glacier Retreats Yellow River Pollution Is Price of Economic Growth Naughton, Ch. 20 |
Week 10: 3/25 |
Spring Break
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Week 11: 4/1 |
Development, trade and the environment Oil and oil politics
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Naughton, p. 336-342; media reports (to be sent); Pollution Havens Start reading China Road
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Week 12: 4/8 |
Privatization and entrepreneurship
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Media reports (to be sent); Steavenson, Stories I Stole Finance and Development Readings
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Week 13: 4/15 |
Migration, population and health
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Media reports (to be sent) |
Week 14: 4/22 |
Economic and social dislocations of China’s reforms
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FINAL PROJECTS DUE Media reports (to be sent) Finish China Road and come prepared to discuss |
Week 15: 4/29 |
Class presentations
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Week 16: |
Final Exam |
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