Spring, 2017

POLS 3510-02 (formerly POLS 310)

Introduction to Theories of Development

Dr. Dan Tschirgi

DESCRIPTION

This course introduces the student to major approaches to the study of development. It focuses on the following broad interpretative schools: Marxist, Modernizationist, Eclectic, and post-Modernist.

EVALUATION

Three exams--two partials and a final—will be given. Each examination will count for 30% of the overall semester grade to be assigned. The remaining 10% of the final grade for the course will be based on “participation” (including the value, incisiveness, and relevance of comments made in class discussions).

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students are expected to attend class regularly and punctually; to fulfill all assignments on time; and to participate in classroom discussions.

READINGS

Readings will be placed on Blackboard. Assigned readings may also include material from the web.

Please see attached Reading Schedule.

READING SCHEDULE

Dr. Tschirgi

Jan. 30 Class Cancelled

Feb. 2 INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

Feb. 6 Karl Marx, The British Rule in India

Feb. 9 LENIN, IMPERIALISM: THE HIGHEST STAGE OF CAPITALISM,

ONLINE AT http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/19

Feb. 13 Lecture: Marxism and Introduction to Lenin

Feb. 16, Lenin, “Imperialism”

Feb. 20, Lenin, “Imperialism”

Feb. 23, Lenin “Imperialism”

March 2, Review: Marx, Lenin and Implications for Development

March 6, EXAM NO. 1

March 9, Review of Exam No. 1

March 13, THE BEHAVIORAL REVOLUTION IN POLITICAL SCIENCE: LECTURE

March 10, G. Almond, “Introduction” in The Politics of the Developing Areas

March 13, STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONALISM, AND STUDYING DEVELOPMENT: LECTURE

March 16, --David Apter, The Politics of Modernization, Chapter 1 and Samuel P. Huntington, Pollitical Order in Changing Societies, to page 58.

March 20, Review: The Modernizationists: Early and Late

March 23: “The Decline of the Modernizationists and the Rise of Eclecticism.”

March 27, LECTURE: “The Decline of the Modernizationists and the Rise of Eclecticism.”

March 30 Tschirgi, Turning Point, Chapter 3.

April

April 3, Tschirgi, Discussion (Cntd.) Turning Point, Chapter 3.

April 6, Shorbagy, in Tschirgi et. al, “Egyptian Women in Revolt”

{APRIL 9-17 HOLIDAY}

April 20,Tschirgi, Development in the Age of Liberalization: Preface,” “Introduction”, and “Conclusion”

April 13, Review for Exam # 2: “Modernizationism and Eclecticism.”

April 17, Exam # 2

April 20, Review of Exam # 2

April 24 Martin Muller, Discourses of Postmodern Epistemology: Radical Impetus Lost? On Blackboard.

April 27, discussion: Preliminary Overview: the significance of Muller’s view.

May 1, HOLIDAY

May 4, discussion: the significance of Muller’s view.

May 8, discussion: the significance of Mueller’s view.

May 11, discussion: the significance of Mueller’s view.

May 15: Last Class:

MAY 17: DEADLINE FOR TAKE-HOME FINAL EXAM IS MIDNIGHT, MAY 17/18.