Economies of East Asia - ECON 377 - 70
Georgetown
University Qatar
Spring 2021
Course will be conducted online so adjustments may be
made in the material and schedule
Office
Hours. Available in Zoom conferencing. Please email me if you would
like to meet in Zoom and go to Office hours.
Course Outline (subject to update): https://dcmccornac.com/AEconEastAsiaSpring2021/EconomiesofEastAsiaSFSSpring2021.htm
Course
Description: This course is designed to provide students with an overview of
the contemporary economic development process and current economic environment
of China and Japan, as well as such countries as Cambodia, Malaysia, South
Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Particular emphasis will be placed on
understanding the diversity of the region and the role that economics, politics
and culture play in the growth of these economies.
Goals
of the Course:
· To expose students to the diversity of
the economic and political realities of the East Asian region.
· Develop an understanding of economic
theory used to analyze the rapid development in the region.
· To give students the opportunity to
critically evaluate the development policies implemented in various countries.
· Enable students to engage in discussions
of the current economic and political environment of the East Asian region.
· Provide students with an understanding
of how the dynamics of this region affect the world economy.
Students are expected to prepare for class by completing all
readings PRIOR to each class meeting in Zoom. Thoughtful and constructive class
participation is expected, as it will both help you to better understand the
material and enhance the learning process for all. In addition, students will be expected to
read a newspaper or news websites on a daily basis to keep abreast of events
that affect the region.
Recommended Texts:
There is no one "complete" textbook on the economies of East Asia.
Thus, a number of resources will be utilized.
Required Readings:
Required and optional readings will be posted on the course outline and
additional articles webpages. The power point presentations may also contain
links to additional readings.
Additional Readings: Additional readings will be put on the additional articles’
webpage (link from course outline page.
Internet Resources:
The development of East Asia today moves so fast that overnight government
policy changes or fluctuations of new markets can render the most recent books
out of date. Thus, the instructor will make use of multi-media technology in
teaching, providing students with up-to-date information about East Asia. The
Internet will become an important educational resource to stimulate student’s
interest, expand discussion, and enrich understanding of the course materials
by bringing textbook theories to life with pertinent real-world examples. A
comprehensive list of websites is available on the course outline.
Course Requirements: Exams, Short Papers and Consultant Report:
1.
Three
short written or presentation assignments. Details and due dates are available
on the course outline. Each assignment is worth 10 points.
2.
Exam
1 worth 20 points.
3.
Consultant
Report – This report is worth 20 points and the description is
available below. Due date is specified on the course outline. The report is to
be done in groups of two (2) or three (3). Further details will be provided in
class.
4.
Class
Attendance and participation is worth 10 points.
5.
Take-home
final exam is worth 20 points and will be cumulative.
Grading Scale:
|
Method of Evaluation |
Points Possible |
|
Assignments (3) – 10 points each |
30 |
|
Exam 1 |
20 |
|
Consultant Report |
20 |
|
Class Participation |
10 |
|
Final Exam |
20 |
|
TOTAL |
100 |
Consultant Report: One of the requirements for
successfully completing this course is a consultant report on a topic relevant
to a particular country or the region. The consultant report will need to be
both in report and presentation form. The report is to be done in groups of two
(2) or at most three (3).
1. The purpose of a consultant report is to apply economic
analysis to an issue in a country or the region of East Asia.
2. To accomplish this task, think of yourself as
a consultant hired to recommend a solution to a specific problem.
3. Be
sure to limit the scope of the problem.
4. Make
sure you make use of all available resources to arrive at a well-researched
recommendation.
5. A
fifteen to twenty-minute presentation to the class will be required.
Class
Policies:
1. Written
Assignments: All written assignments must be turned in by the end of the
day on the due date. Please upload in Canvas in a Microsoft Word file. Written
assignments must be word-processed and 1.5 spaced, using 12-point Times New
Roman font. You must cite outside work when appropriate. You may use any
citation style as long as you use it correctly and consistently.
2. Late
Work: Late work will be penalized by one full letter grade each day.
3. Attendance:
You are expected to attend all class meetings. Attendance will be taken and
counted towards your class participation grade. Unexcused absences will
strongly negatively impact your participation grade.
Honor System: Every student has the responsibility to abide by the
GUQ Honor System. Review it at
Suspected infractions of the Honor System will be referred to the
Honor Council. If a student is found in violation, we reserve the right to
award a failing grade on the assignment or the course as a whole, in addition
to any sanction that the Honor Council and the Dean may apply.
Title IX & Non-Discrimination:
As faculty at Georgetown University, we
are committed to our responsibilities under Title IX, as well as the
University’s non-discrimination policies.
For details of University policies, please refer to the following links:
https://titleix.georgetown.edu/#
https://www.qatar.georgetown.edu/campus-life/title-ix
https://bulletin.georgetown.edu/regulations/antidiscrimination
Use
of Cameras During Online Classes:
There
is no university policy on camera use in online classes. However, students are
strongly encouraged to turn on their computer/device cameras when participating
in class. Students are required to understand and abide by the university's
policy on virtual learning security which prohibits any student from
photographing or videorecording another student's image via Zoom or another
online platform, as well as the dissemination of any such photographs or video
recordings. Violations are subject to adjudication under the Code of Student
Conduct.