Embedded Files
Introduction
This is a class on globalization that focuses on economic development and economic growth. Like Adam Smith's masterpiece, our main task is "An Inquiry Into the Wealth of Nations". Our essential question for the semester is: Why are some nations rich and others poor? We will use the conventional economic models you learned in AP Economics as well as some less conventional models from the field of behavioral economics as tools in studying development and growth. Our main text will be the Core Economics ebook. Our secondary text will be Poor Economics by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo. We will use the book website (here) and the website for the course that Professors Banerjee and Duflo teach at MIT (here). An additional source will be videos from several courses offered by Marginal University. Please bookmark all of these. This calendar contains information about homework, assignments that are due, and class resources. It also has information about what we'll be doing each day. Click here to see a showcase of some of the work that students have done in this class over the years. My email address is phopkins@sas.edu.sg.
THIS SHORT VIDEO IS A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO THE KINDS OF MACRO ISSUES WE WILL STUDY.
AND THIS ONE IS A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO THE KINDS OF MICRO ISSUES WE WILL STUDY.
UNIT 1: THE CAPITALIST REVOLUTION (Guided and Shared Inquiry)
UNIT 1: THE CAPITALIST REVOLUTION (Guided and Shared Inquiry)
Unit Intro: In this unit we will learn about both the determinants of economic growth and the barriers to it. We will focus on one country, Singapore, as a case study. Robert Solow's model of economic growth will be the main model we use in developing an understanding of Singapore's economy. Our main sources will be the Core Economics ebook and videos from several courses offered by Marginal University.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What are the domestic determinants of economic growth and development?
THE WEALTH OF NATIONS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
THE WEALTH OF NATIONS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
INQUIRY QUESTION: What have been the most important factors in Singapore's economic development?
January 14: The Wealth of Nations and Economic Growth
January 16: The Economic History of Singapore (Lecture - Mr. Coppell)
January 21: The Wealth of Nations and Economic Growth
January 28: The Wealth of Nations and Economic Growth (Summative Discussion)
THE SOLOW MODEL
THE SOLOW MODEL
INQUIRY QUESTION: How does the Solow Model explain economic growth in Singapore?
January 30: The Solow Model and Economic Growth
February 3: Convergence in Asia (Lecture by Dr. Antonio Fatas)
February 5 (Class before interim): Economic Inequality
February 17 (Class after interim): Economics of the Environment
February 19: Should economic growth be the highest priority of economic policy? (Summative Discussion)
BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS
BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS
INQUIRY QUESTION: How can the field of behavioral economics explain the lack of economic growth and development in Singapore's poorer neighbors in Southeast Asia?
February 24: Behavioral Models and Economic Growth
February 26: Behavioral Models and Economic Growth
February 28: Behavioral Models and Economic Growth (Summative Discussion)
March 3: Shared Inquiry Paper #1
March 5: Shared Inquiry Paper #1
UNIT 2: THE NATION AND THE WORLD ECONOMY (Guided and Shared Inquiry)
UNIT 2: THE NATION AND THE WORLD ECONOMY (Guided and Shared Inquiry)
Essential Question: How do international trade and other factors beyond a nation's borders impact economic growth and development?
March 9: International trade, globalization, and economic growth (Shared Inquiry Paper #1 Due)
March 11: International trade, globalization, and economic growth
March 13: International trade, globalization, and economic growth
March 17: International trade, globalization, and economic growth (Summative Discussion)
March 19 (Class before Spring Break): Shared Inquiry Paper #2
UNIT 3: SAS ECONOMICS CAPSTONE PROJECTS (Open Inquiry)
UNIT 3: SAS ECONOMICS CAPSTONE PROJECTS (Open Inquiry)
Essential Question: How can we solve pressing development problems (global and local)?
PROJECT #1: RESEARCH PAPER
PROJECT #1: RESEARCH PAPER
March 30 (Class after Spring Break)
Shared Inquiry Paper #2 Due
Research question and working thesis due by end of class.
Use this link to learn more about the research paper, find sources to help you get started, and see the rubric and other important documents related to the Advanced Economics Research Paper.
April 1: Research papers
Initial bibliography and outline due by beginning of next class.
April 3: Research papers (Start digital notecards. You must complete 20 cards, 5 for each of your paper's 4 subtheses.) Use this template for your notecards.
April 7: Research papers (Continue working on digital notecards. Use this template for your notecards.)
April 9: Research papers (Continue working on digital notecards)
20 digital notecards due by beginning of next class.
April 14: Research papers (Begin working on first draft.)
April 16: Research papers (Continue working on first draft.)
April 20: Research papers (Continue working on first draft.)
April 22: Research papers Continue working on first draft. (First draft due at the end of class.)
April 27: Research papers Peer Review and Work Day Work on revised draft. (Click here to open the document you will use to review your peers' papers.)
April 29: Research papers (Continuing working on revised draft.)
PROJECT #2: SOCIAL ENTERPRISE PROBLEM
PROJECT #2: SOCIAL ENTERPRISE PROBLEM
May 4: Begin Social Entrepreneurship Project
May 6: Introduction to the Business Model Canvas
May 8: Customer Archetype
May 12: Interviews
May 14: Group Work
May 18: Group Work
May 20: Group Work and Interviews Due (end of class)
May 22: Update Presentation Due
May 27: Group presentations on the business problem (8-10 minutes). Click on the links below for an exemplar.
EXTENSION PROJECT: POOR ECONOMICS DOCUMENTARY
EXTENSION PROJECT: POOR ECONOMICS DOCUMENTARY
This project is intended for those students interested in demonstrating further mastery of the course content. Documentaries are non-fiction films. In this documentary video (5-7 minutes) you will explore the ideas in one or more of the chapters of Poor Economics by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo. Your documentary should highlight a problem or issue discussed in the book by telling the story of one or more people. The documentary should include interviews that reflect multiple sides of the story, voiceover narration, music, and researched evidence about the issue or idea you are documenting.
Examples of what some students in the past have done:
2019:
Final Draft Due at the End of Class
Page updated
Report abuse