Embedded Files
Development Economics
Spring 2020
Professor Kevin Klein
Office: 238 Kirby
Office Phone: 245-3474 Cell phone: 217-673-5241
Physical Office Hours: Posted on my Office Door , Virtual Office Hours: 24-hours a day at kklein@ic.edu
E-mail: kklein@ic.edu
Web Page: http://www.ic.edu/klein
Blue Print: This course fulfills the requirements for the BluePrint embedded experience categories of Writing Extensive, Information Literacy, and Ethical/Responsible Action.
Required Texts
Essentials of Development Economics by J. Edward Taylor and Travis J. Lybbert
1. What Development Economics Is All About
2. What Works and What Doesn’t?
3. Income
5. Inequality
7. Growth
8. Institutions
9. Agriculture
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the economic theory of Economic Development. Why have some regions of the nation, and some regions of the world, developed economically while other parts have remained underdeveloped? The purpose of this class is to develop a deeper understanding of the social, political, and economic conditions necessary to promote economic development.
Course Objectives
The objectives of this course are to develop an understanding of economic models that help explain economic development and then to apply these models to government policies to help foster economic growth.
Evaluation and Grading
Your grade in this course will be based upon several components: Essay exams, web based homework assignments, reading summaries, course presentations and a term paper.
400 – Count the four highest of the five exams
- Exams will consist of short-answer/essay questions through Google Classroom and will be completed outside of class. You are encouraged to collaborate with other class members to formulate and discuss answers but the final product submitted must by your's alone. ALL work must be submitted through Google Classroom and through
100 – One paper
- There will be a major research paper completed during the semester. Details concerning the formatting and content of the paper will be discussed in class and posted on the course web site.
Up to 90 points - Attendance (See attendance policy)
590 – Total Points possible
The Illinois College faculty passed a resolution during the spring 2007 semester requiring all faculty to adhere to a +/- grading system. It is up to each faculty member individually to determine how that system is applied to each of their courses. In this course, course grades will be determined based on the following percentages
A = 93%+
A- = 90%
B+ = 89%
B = 80 – 88%
B– = 79%
C+ = 78%
C = 77%
C- = 69%
D+ = 68%
D = 60 – 67%
D- = 59%
F = 0 – 58%
Thus, to earn a grade of ‘A’ in the class, you must earn at least 630 points during the semester. For a grade of ‘B’, 560 points must be earned, etc.
Since all assignments are take-home format, there will be no make-up opportunities. These exams and assignments will be in an essay format. Writing assignments are due no later than 9:00 a.m. on the date stated on the assignment. Late assignments lose 20% of their value for each 24 hour period they are late. The time stamp on google classroom determines the submission time. If, for example, an assignment is due at 12:00 noon, and the time stamp reads 12:01, it is late and is in the first 24 hour time period.
The policies of the Illinois College Student Honor Code will be enforced in this course. It is the student’s responsibility to understand the details of this honor code and the consequences of violating the code. Click here for more information on the Illinois College Student Honor Code.
Professional Dispositions
Professional behavior is expected of all in the classroom. Professional conduct means the kind of behavior that would be expected from a professional employee attending a workplace meeting. This includes preparing beforehand, arriving on time with all materials and actively participating during the session. Some examples of unprofessional conduct in class include working on other classes’ work, sleeping, arriving late, leaving the room during class, texting or checking messages, or engaging in side conversations. You are expected to be courteous and thoughtful of classmates, visitors, and faculty. Success in life is, in part, a result of approaching situations professionally. The Economics, Accounting, and Finance department wants to begin you on your professional path by establishing professional expectations. Most of these policies can be summarized in a short phrase. Treat others with respect. Students demonstrating a failure to follow the good professional practices listed here will, without notice, have attendance points for that day removed.
Policy for Missed Exams, Quizzes and Homework
The specific dates of exams are listed on the on-line calendar. If advanced notice is provided that you will miss class on a scheduled quiz or exam date, arrangements can be made to take the exam early. Make-up exams that result from lack of notification of a planned absence will be given only with great reluctance. Make-up exams are all essay questions and should take approximately two to four hours to complete. There will be no make-up quizzes given regardless of the reason why you missed the quiz. Consistent with the policy noted above, if advanced notice of a planned absence is provided, arrangements can be made to take a quiz early. Homework assignments must be completed by the due date to receive credit. No late homework assignments will be accepted.
Attendance and Class Participation
Two (2) attendance points are given for each day attendance is taken in class. See professional disposition above. More importantly there is generally a direct relationship between attendance and final course grades. With this in mind, regular attendance is recommended. Since exam questions will be taken from class lectures as well as text and homework assignments, students missing lectures should arrange for another student colleague to take notes for them. Class notes are also available on-line.
Transfer students
If you are a recent transfer student and are unfamiliar with any language or policies in this syllabus that are unique to Illinois College, or otherwise have questions or concerns that are unclear in your transition to the institution, please don't hesitate to approach me after class or during office hours.
Cell Phone and Computer Usage
See professional disposition above.
Student Disability Services
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: It is the policy and practice of Illinois College to make reasonable accommodations for students with properly documented disabilities. In order to receive disability-based academic accommodations, a student must self-identify and register in person with the Illinois College Office of Disability Services. Late notification may cause the requested accommodations to be unavailable. All accommodations must be approved through the Office of Disability Services located on the third floor of Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center. Phone: (217) 245-3774.Please do this as early as possible. Getting an academic accommodation after midterms may help for the second half of the semester, but you won’t be able to re-do all assignments and tests from the first half of the semester!
Coping with College and Life Stress
STUDENTS EXPERIENCING EMOTIONAL DISTRESS:
During the semester, if you find that life stressors are interfering with your academic or personal success, consider contacting Templeton Counseling Center. All services are free and confidential. Templeton Counseling Center is located on the 3rd Floor of the Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center and can be contacted by phone (x3073) or email renee.overton@mail.ic.edu.
STUDENTS WORRIED ABOUT A FRIEND'S DISTRESS
Contact Templeton Counseling Center or The Student of Concern Committee case manager (Alicia Gatti: alicia.gatti@mail.ic.edu; x3774). All contacts are confidential. Referrals can also be made anonymously via a Behavioral Incident Referral form on line at www.ic.edu/studentofconcerncommittee
Report abuse