Class Schedules

In a notable turn around, a significant number of African societies, in recent years, have experienced both economic growth and renewal of the spirit of women and men acting as citizens. These are commendable achievements. Yet, old quotidian urgencies such as precarious personal safety, hunger, poor health, and political disorder are still prevalent. This is the dialectic of development. This course explores these contradictions. Most of the attention will be given to the concepts of power, politics, and development in contemporary Africa. The course concludes with each student submitting a research paper on a specific problem (e.g. environment, economic, social, cultural, political) confronting one country of the student’s choice. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course explores the theoretical foundations and empirical realities of international trade flows, commercial policies (tariffs, quotas, etc.) and international finance. The course emphasizes the welfare implications of international trade and commercial policies and links these to discussion of disputes over international trade agreements. The international finance portion of the course covers the foreign exchange market, balance of payments analysis and an introduction to open economy macroeconomics. Recommended for students majoring in international studies. This course counts as a Group E elective. Prerequisite(s): ECON 119 or ECON 129. C- or higher required for all prerequisites.

General Education Requirements:
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course explores the theoretical foundations and empirical realities of international trade flows, commercial policies (tariffs, quotas, etc.) and international finance. The course emphasizes the welfare implications of international trade and commercial policies and links these to discussion of disputes over international trade agreements. The international finance portion of the course covers the foreign exchange market, balance of payments analysis and an introduction to open economy macroeconomics. Recommended for students majoring in international studies. This course counts as a Group E elective. Prerequisite(s): ECON 119 or ECON 129. C- or higher required for all prerequisites.

General Education Requirements:
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This class goes beyond the superficial media interpretations of the world's second largest region to complicate and ground our understanding of this fascinating continent. As geographers, we will place contemporary African developments in a historical and global context. Africa has a long history of influencing and being influenced by the outside world. Among other issues, we will explore how colonialism, and even more recent 'development' initiatives, have influenced current structures in Africa.  Furthermore, we will examine what restrictions, if any, the current world economic system places on development possibilities for the continent. The course provides a basic background in African history and bio-physical environments, leading to discussion of advanced topics in contemporary African studies. We will cover a broad range of sectoral themes, including: health and population dynamics; food and agriculture; cities and urbanization; rural life; parks and peoples; development and underdevelopment; politics and governance; and sociocultural geography and music.

General Education Requirements:
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course challenges students to critically examine contemporary global population issues and link these patterns and processes to local events and situations. Using the lens of Geography, we will investigate the dynamic interplay between individual, local, regional, national, and international scales and the implications of scale, culture and perspective in dissecting current population issues. We will also use individual countries as case studies to examine population policies. Students will acquire a working knowledge of the data and methods used by population geographers to describe and analyze changes in human populations at sub-national scales, and will implement these skills in an independent research project.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

In a notable turn around, a significant number of African societies, in recent years, have experienced both economic growth and renewal of the spirit of women and men acting as citizens. These are commendable achievements. Yet, old quotidian urgencies such as precarious personal safety, hunger, poor health, and political disorder are still prevalent. This is the dialectic of development. This course explores these contradictions. Most of the attention will be given to the concepts of power, politics, and development in contemporary Africa. The course concludes with each student submitting a research paper on a specific problem (e.g. environment, economic, social, cultural, political) confronting one country of the student's choice. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

Traces the evolution of (global) political economy as a peculiarly modern way of understanding and organizing (global) social life. Particular attention will be paid to how the distinction between the political and the economic is drawn and implemented in interconnected ways within nation-states and in international society. Course includes a detailed study of one of the key components of the international political economy: international trade, international finance, technological processes, etc. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore-standing or permission of instructor.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course introduces students to the geographic study of development around the world, with a particular emphasis on the Global South. The geographic approach emphasizes: the highly uneven nature of development; processes that link and differentiate various areas of the world; connections between development and the natural resource base; and the power relations inherent in development discourse. The course has three main sections: an introduction to development theory; an investigation of various development themes; and an intense exploration of what works and what doesn't in development practice. While much of the development literature has focused on failure, a specific aim of this course will be to uncover and interrogate success stories.

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This senior capstone course explores the question: How can we educate to promote change toward more just, compassionate, and sustainable approaches to living and learning in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world? We will consider contemporary barriers to and opportunities for systemic education reform and social transformation on local, national and international levels. We will then work both individually and collectively, on campus and in the community, to analyze specific social issues and reform strategies in addition to conceptualizing plans for principled social action. Prerequisite(s): Permission of department chair.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course introduces you to the study of human-environment interactions from a geographic perspective, with a special emphasis on agriculture. We will examine environmental issues in a variety of geographic contexts (developed and developing countries) and the connections between environmental problems in different locations. Beyond agriculture, we will also examine other sectoral issues in relation to agriculture or as stand alone environmental concerns. These themes include: human population growth, consumption, biodiversity, climate change, and environmental health. We will be trying on a number of theoretical lenses from geography's broad human-environment tradition (such as physical geography, cultural ecology, commodity chain analysis, political ecology, resource geography, the human dimensions of global change, hazards geography and environmental justice). In other words, I not only want us to explore a range of environmental issues, but also to grapple with theory and how this informs our understanding of the human-environment interface.

General Education Requirements:
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course introduces you to the study of human-environment interactions from a geographic perspective, with a special emphasis on food and agriculture.  We examine environmental issues in a variety of geographic contexts (Global South and Global North) and the connections between environmental problems in different locations.  Beyond agriculture, we also explore other sectoral issues in relation to farming and food security.  These themes include: human population growth, consumption, biodiversity, climate change, and environmental health.  We try on a number of theoretical lenses from geography's broad human-environment tradition (such as physical geography, cultural ecology, commodity chain analysis, political ecology, resource geography, the human dimensions of global change, hazards geography and environmental justice).  In other words, we not only explore a range of agricultural and environmental issues, but also grapple with theory and how this informs our understanding of the human-environment interface.

General Education Requirements:
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

The leaders of NGOs, governments, and social enterprises recognize that problems such as poverty, pandemic disease, and inequality almost always have political causes and consequences. People with a background in Political Economy of Development are in high demand for their expertise on achieving positive outcomes for humanity and the environment. Few topics in Political Science have more direct relevance to policy-making and matters of "real-world" urgency. This course will provide you with knowledge that you can apply, if you wish, to a variety of roles in the development sector. By the end of the semester, you will complete a portfolio of assignments that simulate the kinds of projects you would do as a professional development analyst, Foreign Service officer, impact evaluator, or social entrepreneur. This class emphasizes practical skills but also covers theories and philosophies of development. Readings, discussions, and activities will help you grapple with (but not necessarily answer) the following questions: What defines someplace as more "developed" than someplace else? What explains variation in development? Does social science hold the key to good development policies? What can I personally do to improve the world?

General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course examines the role of Education as global phenomena. The course encompasses a comparative view of education around the world, as well as its role in International Development. We take it further, by analysis and critique, to understand education as a force for change in an inter-dependent, globalized world. Specifically, we will examine ways in which policies and practice either enhance or diminish efforts towards change that is inclusive, just, sustainable and effective in relieveing suffering, while expanding potential and capacity in those affected by social change. We take the position that, in order to be effective, building trust becomes a key to connectivity between people, groups, organizations and ideas where education, development and change are theorized and practiced. We will construct possible education frameworks around the idea of building trust, by analyzing socio-cultural issues of power, voice, silence, and discourse. (4 credits)

General Education Requirements:
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course will examine the historical origins and political contours of global capitalism through a focus on the international relations of colonialism and empire. We will analyze how concepts, institutions, and social relations such as private property, commodity production, markets, and free labor have been central to the construction of capitalist modernity. We will analyze these pillars of the global economy beyond the commonplace assumption of their emergence in Europe and examine how they have been shaped by global relations of conquest, indigenous dispossession, slavery, racialized exploitation, imperial war, and forms of social control such as policing and incarceration. We will trace the afterlives of these structures beyond formal decolonization and further explore abolitionist and anti-colonial modes of structuring political-economic life.

General Education Requirements:
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This course will examine the historical origins and political contours of global capitalism through a focus on the international relations of colonialism and empire. We will analyze how concepts, institutions, and social relations such as private property, commodity production, markets, and free labor have been central to the construction of capitalist modernity. We will analyze these pillars of the global economy beyond the commonplace assumption of their emergence in Europe and examine how they have been shaped by global relations of conquest, indigenous dispossession, slavery, racialized exploitation, imperial war, and forms of social control such as policing and incarceration. We will trace the afterlives of these structures beyond formal decolonization and further explore abolitionist and anti-colonial modes of structuring political-economic life.

General Education Requirements:
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

In this class, we study the economics of development in low-income countries and communities primarily in the Global South, from multiple perspectives and approaches. We primarily focus on the microeconomics of development economics. We explore both theoretical and empirical methodology in modern development economics.  Topics we cover include: economic growth, fertility, health, cash transfers, rural labor markets, credit markets, and land markets as they relate to development.  This course pushes students to work with datasets from low-income countries, and apply economic theory to problems of development.  We keep an eye toward the relevance and applicability to policy of the topics we cover. This course counts as a Group E elective. It is a capstone course. Meets concurrently with ECON 425. Prerequisite(s): ECON 361, ECON 371, and ECON 381. C- or higher required for all prerequisites.

General Education Requirements:
Internationalism

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials

This senior capstone course explores the question: How can we educate to promote change toward more just, compassionate, and sustainable approaches to living and learning in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world? We will consider contemporary barriers to and opportunities for systemic education reform and social transformation on local, national and international levels. We will then work both individually and collectively, on campus and in the community, to analyze specific social issues and reform strategies in addition to conceptualizing plans for principled social action. Prerequisite(s): Permission of department chair.

General Education Requirements:

Distribution Requirements:
Social science

Course Materials