Instructor: Daniel W. Skubik, PhD JD
Voice: 909.343.4288 / Fax: 909.343.4437
E-Mail: dskubik@calbaptist.edu
This course in Political Economy is designed to investigate political, economic, philosophical, social historical, and legal aspects of the structure and operation of America's macro- and micro-economic systems. Focus is also given to how these US systems compare internally over time and externally across nations, with an extended introduction to international political economy. Students should thereby develop the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze American political economy in global context, from contemporary history to expected future trends.
Required Texts
James Caporaso and David Levine, Theories of Political Economy (Cambridge University Press, 1992)
Herman Schwartz, States Versus Markets: History, Geography, and the Development of the International Political Economy (St. Martin's Press, 1994)
Schwartz's book is temporarily out of stock and will not be available for purchase in the bookstore. Photocopy packets will be made available at cost to students in the course.
Web pages will be referenced throughout the term, contents of which you also will be responsible.
Recommended but not required: David Levine, Wealth and Freedom: An Introduction to Political Economy (Cambridge University Press, 1995) [limited number of copies available in CBU bookstore alongside required texts]
| Jan 4 | Introduction to course and political economy Read TPE, 1-6 & SVM, 3-9 |
| Jan 7 | Review of Macro- & Micro-economics Read TPE, 7-32 [and skim TPE, 126-158] Quiz #1 |
| Jan 11 | Classical & Neoclassical approaches to state and int'l political economy Read TPE, 33-54 + 79-99 & SVM, 10-64 Retake of Quiz 1 |
| Jan 14 | Keynesian political economy Read TPE, 100-125 Quiz #2 |
| Jan 18 | Industrialization and Development Read SVM, 65-109 Response Paper #1 |
| Jan 21 | Marxian critiques & Collapse Read TPE, 55-78 & SVM, 172-196 and Exam #1 |
| Jan 25 | Power-centered political economy Read TPE, 159-180 & SVM, 199-239 Quiz #3 |
| Jan 28 | Justice-centered political economy Read TPE, 197-216 Quiz #4 |
| Feb 1 | Hegemony and Decline Read TPE, 181-196 & SVM, 302-337 Response Paper #2 |
| Feb 4 | Transnationals Read SVM, 240-258 and Exam #2 |
Assessment & Grading Scale
| Quizzes = 20% of final grade (best 3 of 4) | 90 - 100 = A (90-94 = A-) |
| Exam #1 = 25% | 80 - 89 = B (80-82 = B- / 87-89 = B+) |
| Response Papers = 25% | 70 - 79 = C (70-72 = C- / 77-79 = C+) |
| Exam #2 = 25% | 60 - 69 = D (60-62 = D- / 67-69 = D+) |
| Participation = 5% | 0 - 59 = F |
| You must attend at least 7 full class sessions to pass the course. |
Four (4) short quizzes will be given during the term, covering material from the immediately previous and current class sessions. Format is objective, comprising multiple choice, true/false, matching, and short answer questions. Of the four, your three (3) best results will be used to compute your quiz scores (i.e. your worst effort will be dropped).
Two exams will be given during the semester. Exam #1 is scheduled for Jan 21st, and will cover whatever material we will have read or discussed in class from Jan 4th - 21st. Exam #2 is scheduled for Feb 4th, and will cover principally the material from Jan 21st - Feb 4th. But note that our readings and discussions are broadly cumulative, so you can expect some overlap from earlier, particularly economic, historical social and philosophical, discussions.
Specific guidance as to form and general requirements will be proffered before each test date. Format will emphasize short answer and essay questions, requiring application of cases, concepts and principles in relation to the topics covered in class.
Each test is closed books, open notes. Meaning of open notes: You are permitted to bring 1 (one) 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper with notes written on it for use during the tests. The notes may be in your own handwriting, or produced by a computer printer, of any size writing or font, front and back, without regard for margins.
Two response papers will be due during the term. These papers will be based upon your collection and critique of selected newspaper and journal articles you collect during these class weeks that reflect issues or themes in domestic or international political economy. You are to collect at least three (3) and no more than six (6) items in a scrapbook, adding a short paper (1200-1500 words) explaining how the matters raised in these collected items correspond to class readings and discussions. You will do this twice: one set of clippings plus response paper is due on Jan 18th; the second set of clippings plus paper is due on Feb 1st.
Attendance: You must attend at least seven (7) full sessions in order to receive a passing grade for this course. Four (4) or more absences, whether excused or unexcused, will earn an automatic F. This may seem draconian, but our time together is too short and intensive. If you cannot commit to the class schedule, you should drop this course and seek an alternative. [N.B. You are counted absent if you (a) fail to come to class on any scheduled night, or (b) fail to arrive within 60 minutes of the start time.]
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 politico-economic 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, 5% of your mark for the course will be comprised
of my assessment of your overall classroom participation. This includes, but is not limited to, my assessment of your participation during our sessions (e.g. making relevant comments in classroom discussions, being prepared to respond to socratic questioning, asking relevant questions, and following directions concerning reading assignments). The point is to determine your active engagement with the material in the context of the class.
This syllabus is composed in good faith, with a schedule of readings, quizzes, writing assignments and exams which will guide us throughout the term. Still, the instructor reserves the right to make adjustments to this schedule as deemed necessary for the overall enterprise of the class. 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.
Make-Ups
Exam #1
: you must arrange to take a make-up before the Jan 21st class
session
Exam #2 : this exam cannot be made up
Response Papers
: response papers can be turned in at the next class session, but these late papers will attract a 50% penalty
Quizzes : you must arrange to take a make-up before the quiz date
N.B. Make-Ups will be arranged only on good evidence of unavoidable absence from class (e.g. a specific doctor's note for illness or employer-arranged out-of-town business trip).