Advanced Topics Economics - Globalization: 2020 (Semester 2)

Introduction

This is a class on globalization that focuses on economic development and international trade. 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 international trade. 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. And click here to see an overview of the course. My email address is phopkins@sas.edu.sg.

THIS VIDEO IS A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO THE KINDS OF ISSUES WE WILL STUDY THIS SEMESTER.

UNIT 1: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE (Guided and Shared Inquiry)

Unit Intro: In this unit we will learn about the causes and consequences of economic growth and development. We will also study the relationship between economic development and international trade, paying especially close attention to the period of globalization from 1990 to the present.

Essential Question: How are international trade and economic development related and how do they impact the lives of people around the world?

February 4: Paper #1 due at the the end of class.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE: PROSPERITY AND PANDEMICS (CHINA)

February 8: What is t he relationship between trade and development? (Lecture and Reading)

February 10: Have the global benefits of China's liberalization outweighed the costs? (Research)

CHINESE NEW YEAR

February 16: Have the global benefits of China's liberalization outweighed the costs? (Discussion)

TRADE THEORY AND INEQUALITY (NAFTA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION)

February 18: How do free trade agreements and migration influence development? (Lecture and Reading)

INTERIM SEMESTER

March 2: Did free trade agreements and immigration increase inequality in Europe and the United States? (Research)

March 4: Did free trade agreements and immigration increase inequality in Europe and the United States? (Discussion)

FINANCIAL GLOBALIZATION (1997 ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS)

March 8: How do free international financial markets affect development? (Lecture and Reading)

March 10: Have free international financial markets been good or bad for East Asia? (Research)

March 12: Have free international financial markets been good or bad for East Asia? (Discussion)

PAPER #2 (SHARED INQUIRY)

March 16: Work Day (Paper 2)

March 18: Paper 2 Due at the end of class.

SPRING BREAK

UNIT 2: SAS ECONOMICS CAPSTONE PROJECT (OPEN INQUIRY)

Unit Intro: In this unit you will do the SAS economics capstone project. The capstone project is a research paper in which you will analyze and propose a solution to an international development problem of your choice.

Essential Question: How can we solve pressing global economic problems?

RESEARCH PAPER

March 29 (Paper 2 Due): Research papers (Research question due by the end of class.)

March 31: Research papers (Padlet created (use this template) and working thesis written by end of class.)

April 5: Research papers (Working bibliography due by the end of class.)

April 7: Research papers (Start outline.) Click here to see one from a former student.

April 9: Research papers (Outline due by the end of class.)

April 13: (Start digital notecards. You must complete 20 cards, 5 for each of your paper's 4 subtheses.) Use this template for your notecards.

SUPA: Students taking ECN 203 (Syracuse Course) will begin today. Click here to see the schedule of assignments for the rest of the semester.

April 15: Research papers (Continue working on digital notecards.)

April 19: Research papers (Continue working on digital notecards.)

April 21: Research papers (Digital notecards due at the end of class.)

April 23: Research papers (Start working on first draft.)

April 27: Research papers Continue working on first draft. (First draft due at the end of class.)

April 29: Research papers. Peer Review and work on revised draft. (Click here to open the document you will use to review your peers' papers.)

May 5: FINAL DRAFT DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT CLASS.

May 7: Work on slideshow and Loom for your presentation. Click here to see an example of a good presentation. LOOM DUE BY THE BEGINNING OF NEXT CLASS.

May 11: Oral defense in class. Click here to see a list of potential oral defense questions.

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. You MUST interview at least one person yourself as a part of your documentary. Watch some of the work from past students below.

Semester 2 (2019-2020)