April 1999
Reinhard Heinisch
heinisch+@pitt.edu
Course Description and Objectives
This course is designed to introduce you to the politics of development, respectively to the political, economic and social systems of less developed countries (LDCs). The objective is to demonstrate that underdevelopment is not simply the result of cultural "backwardness," the lack of a proper modern work ethic or a historical accident. We will also explore in what ways our actions and standard of living in the developed countries are critically linked to poverty and deprivation in other parts of the world. This, however, neither means that underdevelopment is part of a "global conspiracy" and pre-determined nor that policymakers in less developed nations are free from blame. While students should develop an appreciation for the enormous complexity of the issues involved, they should also leave this class with a sense that development issues are not completely intractable and impossible to solve.
In the course of this class we shall examine a number of theories of development such as modernization, import substitution, dependency, and state-society theories. Furthermore, a number of country cases will provide concrete examples of some of the theoretical issues we will encounter in the earlier part of the course.
Course Requirements
- Students will be required to complete two exams (30%) during the semester and a cumulative final exam (40%).
- Students will have to complete a computer/library research project, which affects your grade by a full letter grade.
- Students are expected to complete the assigned reading prior to the class discussion. Students are also expected the come to class regularly. Attendance will be spot-checked and recorded. Attendance and class participation is a part of your final grade.
- Missed exams have to be made up, respectively you may be required to write a paper (see above). Make-up exams have to be arranged prior and will be held at my convenience. You must notify me as soon as possible if you miss and exam.
- Extra-Credit Opportunity: 9-11 page term paper on an agreed-upon topic relating to the course.
Required Texts
- Weatherby, Long et al. (1997) The Other World -- Issues and Politics of the Developing World White Plains NY: Longman.
- Comparative Developing Systems Course Pack B available at the book store.
April 1999
Reinhard Heinisch
heinisch+@pitt.edu