MD547/ 647: Globalization and the Poor  (4 units)

Dr. Bryant Myers, Professor of International Development

Winter 2008 Pasadena

 

DESCRIPTION:

This course explores globalization as a deeply rooted historical change process that has significant impact for good and ill on the poor.  The course will deal briefly with the history of globalization, its supporters and its skeptics. The course will address multilateral organizations, such as the World Bank and the WTO, in terms of the impact of their policies on the poor.   Special attention will be given to globalization and the non-formal economy where most of the poor live.  More than half the course will focus on macro development issues and strategies for poverty eradication including topics like the Millennium Development Goals and making markets work for the poor,

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1.  A multifaceted appreciation for the complexity of the globalization debate as it affects the poor
2.  An understanding of the impact of globalization and global institutions on the poor
3.  An critical understanding of macro theories of poverty and development
4.  Ability to think critically about poverty solutions at the global level

 

COURSE FORMAT:

Course meets once each week for 3 hour sessions.  10 week course using a presentation and discussion format with occasional use of small groups.

 

REQUIRED READING: (1300 pages)

If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

1.  Gliddens, Anthony.  Runaway World:  How Globalization is Reshaping Our Lives.  New York, NY:  Routledge, 2003.
2.  Nayan Chanda, Bound Together:  How Traders, Preachers, Adventurers and Warriors Shaped Globalization.  New Haven, CT:  Yale Univ Press, 2007.
3.  Yates, Josh et al, “Globalization and the Gospel:  Rethinking Mission in the Contemporary World,” Lausanne Occasional Paper, No. 30 (In Course Reader)
4.  Sachs, Jeffrey D., The End of Poverty:  The Economic Possibilities of our Time.  New York, NY:  Penguin Press, 2005.
5.  Sachs, Jeffrey.  Investing for Development:  A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals., NY: UNDP 2005
6.  Easterly, William.  White Man’s Burden.  New York, NY: Penguin, 2006.
7.  Collier, Paul.  The Bottom Billion:  Why the Poorest Countries are Failing and What Can Be Done About It. Oxford, UK:  Oxford Univ Press, 2007.
8.  Reed, Charles (Ed.).  Development Matters:  Christian Perspectives on Globalization.  London: Church House, 2001.
9.  Readings in a Course Reader

 

RECOMMENDED READING:

1.    Harrison. Lawrence and Huntington, Samuel (Eds.), Culture Matters:  How Values Shape Human Progress.  New York, NY:  Basic Books, 2000).
2.  Naim, Mosés. Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers, and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy.  New York: Doubleday, 2005.
3.  Farmer, Paul.  Pathologies of Power:  Health, Human Rights and the New War on the Poor, Berkley, CA: University of California Press, 2003.
4.  Dunning, John H. (Ed.), Making Globalization Good, Oxford University Press, 2003. 
5.  Mofid, Kamran.  Globalisation:  For the Common Good.  London:  Shepheard-Walwyn, 2002.
6.  Sacks. Jonathan.  The Dignity of Difference.  How to Avoid the Clash in Civilizations.  New York, NY: Continuum, 2002.
7.  Held, David; McGrew, Anthony; Goldblatt, David and Perraton, Jonathan.  Global Transformations:  Politics, Economics and Culture.  Stanford, CA:  Stanford University Press, 1999.
8.  Wolf, Martin.  Why Globalization Works, New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2004.
9.  Gray, John.  False Dawn.  New York. N.Y.: The New Press, 1998.
10. Friedman, Thomas.  The World is Flat.  New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005.

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

1.  In teams of 3-6, students do a class presentation and lead a discussion (total one-hour), which describes and critiques a major international organization in terms of its explicit and implicit understanding of 1) who “owns” the institution, 2) its stance on globalization and 2) its macro development or poverty eradication strategies.  Based largely on the materials on its website and related websites. Assigned from among the World Bank, World Trade Organization, IMF, World Economic Forum, and World Social Forum.

2.  A 750 word personal reflection at the middle of the course that covers 1) short list of new discoveries you made during the first half of the course, 2) a short list of issues that are puzzling or concerning you about the course material thus far and 3) a brief commentary on your progress on the course learning objectives.

3.  A 750-1000 word paper comparing and contrasting Sachs, Easterley and Collier in terms of their solutions for eradicating poverty.

4.  A 3000 to 3750-word research paper on a topic related to the course.  Topic agreed to by the professor no later than 1 May.

 

Th.M. Students will complete an additional assignment: 1250-word paper providing a theological reflection on some aspect of globalization and the poor. Topic to be agreed to by professor no later than May 1.

 

PREREQUISITE: None

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective for SIS.  Meets GLBL requirement for MAT.

 

FINAL EXAMINATION: None

 

Note:  This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design, but is subject to modification.                              Last Date Edited: 10 October 2007