Instructor: Dr. Daniel W. Skubik
Office: James Bldg, Rm. #266
Voice: 951.343.4288 / Fax: 951.343.4520
E-Mail: dskubik@calbaptist.edu
Honors Seminar V:
The Political Economy of
Hon 300 (Main Campus)
Tuesdays,
Fall Semester, 2006
This seminar is the fifth in a series of eight CBU Honors Program seminars that will investigate ideas systematically, progressively and in interdisciplinary fashion. All eight seminars of any single cycle will be thematically linked, so that students will have the opportunity for intensive, focused study from historical, philosophical, religious, sociological, political, literary, economic and scientific/technological perspectives.
The guiding theme for our cycle, and so for this seminar, is “liberty.” By the end of the semester, students should grasp the fundamental associations of the term “liberty” across the academic disciplines; understand the development and use of categories of thought generated by the theme of liberty; and be able to demonstrate how to identify and analyze the presence or absence of liberty discourse in primary and secondary academic materials and literary works.
As developing scholars in the CBU Honors Program, students will
· learn how academic disciplines organize around key generative ideas;
· begin and develop personal academic journaling;
· appreciate the broad impact of liberty across the disciplines;
· learn what academic research and research writing requires; and
· become sensitive to diverse disciplinary perspectives.
More specifically with regard to this seminar on the political economy of liberty, students will be introduced to and begin investigating foundational philosophical, political, theological and economic dimensions of liberty. Particular focus will be given key terms such as macroeconomics, microeconomics, political economy, homo economicus, and economic and non-economic (aspects of) liberty.
This seminar extends the study of
basic economic theory introduced in courses such as Macroeconomics,
Microeconomics, and Political Economy to cover broader and interdisciplinary
concerns in normative economics, political science and philosophy. It will
thematically address key questions, such as “is economic freedom congruous with
political freedom?”; “is economic liberty compatible with ethical behavior?”;
“are economic and political freedoms consonant with development of a [more]
just society?”; and “are such freedoms universal?”
Required Texts
Amartya Sen, Development as Freedom (Anchor Press, 2000) paperback isbn 0385720270
Herman Schwartz,
States Versus Markets: The Emergence of a
Global Economy 2nd edition (Palgrave Macmillan,
2000) paperback isbn
0312233027
Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations (Bantam Classics,
2003) paperback isbn 0553585975
Friedrich
A. Von Hayek, The Road to Serfdom
(with Introduction by Milton Friedman) (University Of
Chicago Press; 50th Anniversary edition, 1994) paperback isbn 0226320618
Web pages will be referenced
throughout the term, contents of which you also will be responsible.
Class Readings & Discussion Schedule
|
Week #1 |
Introduction to course, requirements and
expectations |
|
Week #2 |
Ethics, Natural Philosophy and Economics |
|
Week #3 |
Ethics, Natural Philosophy and Economics |
|
Week #4 |
Ethics, Natural Philosophy and Economics |
|
Week #5 |
Politics and Economics |
|
Week #6 |
Politics and Economics |
|
Week #7 |
Politics of Economics |
|
Week #8 |
Politics of Economics |
|
Week # 9 |
The Politics and Economics of Development |
|
Week #10 |
The Politics and Economics of Development |
|
Week #11 |
The Politics and Economics of Development |
|
Week #12 |
Formal Presentation of Student Research Papers |
|
Week #13 |
Formal Presentation of Student Research Papers |
|
Week #14 |
End of term review (venue to be determined) |
Assessment & Grading Scale
|
Research Paper = 50% |
90 - 100 = A range (90-94 = A-) |
|
Formal Presentation of Research Paper = 15% |
80 - 89 = B range (80-83 = B- / 87-89 = B+) |
|
Journal submissions = 20% (10 x 2% each) |
70 - 79 = C range (70-73 = C- / 77-79 = C+) |
|
Discussion/Participation in Class = 15% |
60 - 69 = D range (60-63 = D- / 67-69 = D+) |
|
|
0 - 59 = F |
Journal Submissions
Students
should begin compiling an electronic journal related to this class. This means
that one should be journaling (that is, preparing substantive written entries
in some digital format that can be transmitted to the instructor via email) for
weeks 2-11, irrespective of whether the student actually attended that week’s
session.
A
substantive entry is ~200 words (minimum, lengthier entries are welcome)
summarizing and reacting to some key points from a particular week’s readings
and class discussions, perhaps relating to some political economic real world
case or event, some recently read piece of academic literature, or simply
related ideas provoked by life. These entries can form a series of reflections,
so linking entries along the way one to another like an intellectual diary, or
can be independent musings week-by-week.
To be considered
timely, any entry should be received in the instructor’s email inbox (dskubik@calbaptist.edu either as plain
text within the body of the email or as a Word attachment) no later than the
beginning of class of each class week for which credit is sought. Thus, for
example, a journal entry for Week 2—when we meet on Tuesday, September 12—is
due no later than the class meeting itself. Entries for Week 2 that are
received after class actually convenes will be accepted as part of the overall
journaling project, but that entry will not be marked and counted towards your
final grade.
Research
Paper
In consultation with the instructor, students are to select a topic or theme for development into a major paper, the highlights of which will be formally presented to the seminar group at the conclusion of the semester. (See the sample themes at the end of this syllabus.) Topics can range across a wide spectrum of course concerns, but the final product must grapple with at least one empirical module and one theoretical module in developing answers to key questions raised in the paper's investigations. Groups of two students may, with the advice and consent of the instructor, tackle a single, larger project for this assignment; but note that the assignment will be graded as a whole, each student sharing the same grade for a single, end product. The assignment should run 7500-10,000* words (standard format and fonts), as a research paper (including footnote or endnote and bibliographic styles appropriate to your discipline). *[12,000-15,000 words for groups]
One hardcopy version of the
paper should be given to the instructor immediately before the presentation.
The paper should also be digitally submitted to Turnitin
no later than the evening of the presentation. Late submissions will be
accepted, but they will be penalized 10% for each 24-hr period or portion
thereof submitted late to the instructor or Turnitin.
Formal
Presentation of Research Paper
At the end of the semester, students will formally present their findings to the seminar participants, explaining the empirical and theoretical highlights of their investigations. No particular presentation format is strictly required, but use of computer-assisted or other visual and auditory aids (e.g. overheads, photocopied handouts, computer-generated screen shows and video clips) are strongly encouraged. Equipment needs will be met by the University, but be sure to allow sufficient time to schedule whatever equipment you may need to prepare and present your material.
Discussion/Participation
Although speaking in class, publicly putting and defending a position, can be daunting, you are strongly encouraged to learn to think through your own and others' experiences and insights within the context our discussions. In short, you are encouraged to demonstrate your internalization of our material for application in the real world. In this context, you are not being evaluated for reaching “right” conclusions, but for demonstrating your facility in forming arguments for any conclusions put, given the material we will cover in class.
To give direct incentive to so engage, 15% of your mark for the course will be comprised of our assessment of your classroom participation during the semester.
Caveat
This syllabus is composed in good faith, with a schedule of readings, assignments and discussions which will guide us throughout the term. Still, the instructors reserve the right to make adjustments to this schedule as deemed necessary for the overall enterprise of the seminar. Any changes will be communicated as far in advance as feasible, and you are responsible for knowing if and when any changes have been made.
Sample
project themes for individual research:
·
What are the economic, social and
political consequences (costs and benefits) associated with developed country
companies operating production facilities in host developing countries (with
reference to those host countries and their citizens)? [E.g. Nike operating in
·
What are the economic, social and
political consequences of “off-shoring” (i.e. out-sourcing work to overseas
locales) to the home countries and their citizens? [E.g. call centers located
in
·
What are the economic, social and
political consequences of state and local competition to attract businesses?
[E.g. tax holidays, infrastructure or other commitments to lure manufacturing
or service companies to establish a plant or office in the “winning” state or
county or city, like Mercedes-Benz in
·
What are the economic, social and
political consequences (costs and benefits) associated with developing country
companies marketing politically or economically sensitive products and services
in overseas developed countries’ markets? [E.g. Acer (
·
What are the economic, social and
political consequences (costs and benefits) associated with development of a
duty-free foreign or enterprise export zone (contiguous with the municipal
airport) in the City of Riverside, California? Does such a zone make overall
sense for the City?
·
What are the economic, social and
political arguments associated with calls for “environmental justice”? (Include
discussion of a specific project, whether domestic or international.) Are these
calls coherent and justifiable? How ought governmental, intergovernmental, and
non-governmental agencies respond?
·
Evaluate the economic, social and
political consequences associated with recent welfare reform measures in the
·
Evaluate the history and justification
for linking/de-linking foreign trade and human rights concerns. [E.g. United
States’ trade policies towards the People’s Republic of China, the European Union’s
policies towards privacy of consumer data in the United States, or the role of
non-governmental organizations calling for changes in intergovernmental rules
or laws.]