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Meeting Time and Place
4:15-5:30 pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays,
201 Thomas Building
Instructor
Dr. David Abler
Course Description
This course introduces the key economic concepts and theories used to analyze agricultural and
economic development in developing countries, with particular attention to interactions between development, natural
resources, and the environment. The course examines how economic development can affect natural resources and the
environment, and how resource and environmental conditions affect development. The course integrates theory with
empirical evidence from developing countries, so that students gain an understanding of how different development
strategies have actually fared in practice.
Readings
There are two assigned textbooks for this course and several additional
readings that are listed on the course website. The assigned textbooks are:
- George Norton, Jeffrey Alwang and William Masters,
The Economics of Agricultural Development, Routledge, 2006
- Peter Rogers, Kazi Jalal and John Boyd,
An Introduction to Sustainable Development, Earthscan Publications, 2008
Expectations
I have taken several steps to make this course interesting for you. In turn, I have
expectations of you that, if met, ought to make this course a success for all of us.
- I have sought out textbooks and readings that are relevant
and timely. I expect you to have completed assigned readings before class so that we can discuss them as a class.
- Much of each class session will be devoted to presentations by you and to discussion. This makes your attendance and active preparation critical
to the success of the class. Please, don't be afraid to speak up, and let me know if there is something I can do to
make it easier for you to participate.
- We will be watching and discussing several films that help illustrate the concepts covered in class.
Questions about the films will appear on the exams. You will not be able to watch a film outside of its scheduled
class session without a valid excuse.
Electronic Resources
In order to access the course readings and complete assignments, you will need access to
Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Reader or other pdf reader, a word processing program such as Microsoft Word, and the Internet.
Contact me if you do not have access to these resources.
Office Hours
Office hours are by appointment. Please contact me before or after class, or by email
or phone, to schedule an appointment.
Grading
Final course grades will be assigned based on two exams (a midterm and a final),
in-class presentations on the additional readings
and seven items that revolve around a term paper. The seven term paper-related items are a
brief "idea piece," a longer term paper proposal, an in-class presentation on your proposal, written comments
on other students' proposals, a first draft of the term paper, the term paper itself, and an in-class presentation on
your term paper.
Your final course grades will be calculated using two scales, and you will automatically receive the higher of the two. The idea
is to allow some flexibility for students with varying degrees of test-taking ability. Scale 1 has more emphasis on
tests, while scale 2 has more emphasis on the term paper.
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Scale 1 |
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Scale 2 |
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Midterm Exam |
15% |
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Midterm Exam |
10% |
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Final Exam |
20% |
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Final Exam |
15% |
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Presentations on Additional Readings |
10% |
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Presentations on Additional Readings |
10% |
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Term Paper Idea Piece |
5% |
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Term Paper Idea Piece |
5% |
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Term Paper Proposal |
10% |
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Term Paper Proposal |
10% |
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Proposal Presentation |
5% |
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Proposal Presentation |
5% |
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Comments on Other Proposals |
5% |
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Comments on Other Proposals |
5% |
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First Draft of Term Paper |
5% |
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First Draft of Term Paper |
5% |
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Term Paper |
20% |
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Term Paper |
30% |
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Term Paper Presentation |
5% |
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Term Paper Presentation |
5% |
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TOTAL |
100% |
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TOTAL |
100% |
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Grading Policy
Grading is on a scale, not on a curve. My starting point is the following scale:
- 90-100% – A
- 85-89% – A-
- 80-84% – B+
- 75-79% – B
- 70-74% – B-
- 65-69% – C+
- 60-64% – C
- 50-59% – D
- Less than 50% – F
In some years I have adjusted the scale downward (in the students' favor) when few students would have
otherwise received A's. I also round up a student's final grade if they are very close to a cutoff (e.g., 89.8
would be rounded up to 90, for an A).
Term Paper
The term paper is a critical part of this course. Most of your final course grade will
depend on the seven term paper-related items listed above. Please see the
Term Paper page on the course website for more information.
Exams
There are two exams in this course, a midterm and a final. The exams will consist of
essay questions. Please see the Exams page on the course website for more
information.
Presentations on Additional Readings
The additional readings can be found on the course website.
We will work out the schedule of presentations as the semester progresses.
Missed Exams
Make-up exams will not be given absent a valid excuse. If you know that you will
miss an exam due to an illness, family emergency or other valid excuse, please contact me in
advance in order to take it at another time.
Academic Integrity
According to University Faculty Senate
Policy 49-20,
"Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and
responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at
The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act
in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University's Code of
Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students' dignity,
rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through
the fruits of their efforts."
Policy 49-20 continues, "Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of
falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental
ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by
others."
Suspected violations of University academic integrity policy will be handled per the
G-9 Academic Procedure.
Please bear this in mind throughout the semester and particularly as you work on your term paper.
Plagiarism (representing someone else's words or ideas as your own) will not be tolerated.
It does not matter where these words or ideas are found – on the web, in a book, in a journal or magazine article,
on TV, or wherever. You must cite the appropriate references for the information you include in your paper.
The Term Paper page on this website contains links to resources to help you
avoid plagiarism. The College of Agricultural Sciences also has a helpful
Academic Integrity website.
Statement of Nondiscrimination
Penn State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs,
facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or
qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. Penn State University does not discriminate
against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual
orientation, or veteran status.
Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to:
Affirmative Action Director
Penn State University
201 Willard Building
University Park, PA 16802-2801
Telephone: (814) 863-0471
Disabilities Access Statement
If you have a documented disability and wish to receive academic accommodations, please contact the campus
disability liaison as soon as possible. For additional information, check the University website:
http://www.equity.psu.edu/ods/
© 1997-2009 David Abler except where noted. All rights reserved worldwide.
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