Comparative Development  S05        Mr. Frundt  Office G‑131

                                 Hours TF 11:30-1 PM; W by appt            Return to home page

Core course in Sociology         Office Phone: (201) 684‑7583

                                  e-mail: hfrundt@ramapo.edu

Purpose:  The objective of this course is to investigate  balanced socio/economic development and its relationship to globalization.  It will contrast balanced development with the condition of underdevelopment, which is marked by poverty and skewed income distribution, high levels of malnutrition and illiteracy, low land ownership and agricultural productivity, environmental degradation, lack of suitable industrialization, and persistent crisis in the balance of payments and trade.  Emphasizing indigenous experiences, the course will explore various development approaches such as modernization, dependency, and more socially-oriented systems in Asia and Africa, with an emphasis on Latin America.  It will examine recent policies and projects that counter globalization from above and promote "sustainable development" from below.

 

Texts:  Barbara Thomas-Slayter. 2003. Southern Exposure:

      International Development and the Global South.

      Kumarian Press (Abbreviated: SE).

Erick Langer with Elena Muñoz. 2003.  Contemporary

     Indigenous Movements in Latin America. SR Books(CIM)

Development Readings Packet (P)(available from professor)

 

Tentative Schedule of Topics

 

Part I:  Basic Frameworks for Development Studies

         

Feb. 1:  Introduction to development and globalization   

          Readings: J. Ferrero, “Latin America Graft, Poverty

                    Trying Patience with Democracy” P1

              Perez and Rusli, “Homeless of Aceh Wary…” P2

C. Dugger, “Unicef says a Billion Children

     Suffer Deprivation Worldwide” P3

A.     Cowell, “Blair Calls on U.S.” P3b

 

Feb. 4:  The Global South

          Readings: “Understanding the ‘Global South’…” SE, 1-38

                   (emphasize 1-11)

              D. Sontag and L. Polgreen, “Storm-Battered Haiti’s

Endless Crises Deepen” P4

              Sharon LaFraniere, “Millions of AIDS Orphans Strain

Southern Africa” P5; “AIDS in 5 Nations

     Called Security Threat” P6; “AIDS Patients in

     Zambia…” P7; “Poor Lands Treating More” P7c

 

Feb. 8: Reflections on Development

          Readings:  “Understanding the Global South, SE, 12-38

              T. Weiner, “A Grand Plan Meets Skepticism…” P8

              G. Thompson, “Cornfields or Runways?” P9

              J. McKinley, “No Conquistadors…Just Wal-Mart” P9b

              C. Dugger, “Roads Lead to a New Way of Life for

                   Rural Ethiopia” P10

 

Feb. 11:  Imperialism and Colonialism

Readings: “Exploring North-South Relationships,” SE 2,

              39-74.

 

Feb. 15:  Current political realities (first paper outline due)  

Readings:  “Politics and the State,” SE 3, 75-110.

     D. Schemo, “Latin Death Squads and the U.S.” P11

     L. Rohter, “Chile’s Army Accepts Blame” P12

                  C. Marquis, “U.S…Aid to Colombia…” P13

              J. Forero, “Safeguarding Colombia’s Oil”; P14

                   “Colombian Troops Assassinated 3 Union Lea-

                        ders” P15; “Bush Promises More Aid”P16;                        

                   “Drug Lords Seek Leniency” P17; “Surge in

                   Extradition to US” P18

              Rigoberta Menchú,“Justice Comes for Archbishop” P19

              J.Forero,“CIA Knew Coup Plot in Venezuela” P20

              “As Venezuela Slides, Poor Stand by Their Man”P21

 

Feb. 18:  Conflicts and Human Rights 

          Readings:”Conflict, Human Rights and Refugees”SE4,111-44

              N. Onishi, “Sudan Government…Agony for Oil” P22

              M. Lacey, “Evicted, Sudan Refugees in Limbo” P23

              S. Weisman “Powell Says Sudan Killings=Genocide”P24

               N. Onishi, “Nigeria’s President Fears…” P25

              N. Onishi, “Winds of Militant Islam…” P26

              U.S. champions both torture and rights (handout)           

Feb. 22:  Film:

Apr. 22:  Earth Day: Development and Environment

          Readings: “The Dynamics of Population, Development and

                   Environment” SE 7 215-246  

              Raymond Bonner, “Indonesia’s Forests…” P80

              Juan Forero, “In Mahogany’s Grain…” P81

              Larry Rohter, “Relentless Foe of Amazon…”P82;

                   Amazon Forest Still Burning” P83

              E. Andrews, “Ecotourism is all very well…” P86

              B. Lomborg, “The Environmentalists Are Wrong” P87

              J. Perlez and E. Rusli, “Spurred by Illness,

                   Indonesians Lash Out at U.S. Mining Giant”P88

                   “Mining Giant Put Toxic in Indonesia’s Air”P89

              Saritha Rai, “Bhopal Victims Not Fully Paid” P90

              A.Revkin,“Eskimos: Global Warming is a Rights

                   Issue” P91

 

Part III:  New Directions in Development Policy

 

Apr. 26:  Alternative frameworks

          Readings: “New Voices and New Agendas,” SE 9 281-314.

 

 

Apr. 29: Trade Reform 

Reading: “Saves to Trade?”P92

E.Andrews, “Latin Countries Skeptical of U.S….”P93

L. Rohter, “South American Trading Bloc Frees

     Movement of its People” P94

T. Weiner,“Free Trade Accord at Age 10: Pains” P95

C.  Becker, “Farmers and Labor Press Global Trade as

A Campaign Issue” P96

              T. Friedman, “Trade vs. Human Rights” P97

              Readings on Fair Trade (handout)

 

May   3: AID Reform                     (Paper #2 due)

Reading: various articles on AID, P63

     J. Kahn and T. Weiner, “World Leaders Rethinking

          Strategy on Aid to Poor” P98

     T.Weiner,“Entreaties in Monterrey for More Aid” P99

D.  Bumiller, “Bush…Speaks of Conditional Global

     Aid” P100

D. Sanger,“Bush Plan Ties Aid to Free Market,

     Rule” P101

A.  Marquis, “New System Begins Rerouting Aid” P102

C.Duggar,“World Bank Challenged: Poor Helped?”P103

 

 

May  6,10:  Student Reports

 

May  13:   Final Review

 

May  20:   Final Exam       

 

 

Course Requirements

 

1.  Class attendance, participation in discussions on readings, and oral reports (only two unexcused absences are allowed)    (16% of grade)

 

2.   Paper #1: The impact of "development and globalization on one nation or indigenous group in the global south." Discuss the meaning of development and how "development" has impacted the culture and ways of      life of people from another part of the world.  Suggested countries include  Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Jamaica, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines, Peru.  You may choose to emphasize the impact of development on one indigenous culture.      Possibilities include the Maya of Mexico; the Maya of Guatemala; the Inca of Peru, Ecuador or Bolivia; the Yamomami of Brazil; the Inuit of Canada; the Aborigines of Australia; the Maasai etc. of East Africa; the Hausa etc. of West Africa; the Huli of Papua New Guinea, or another group approved by the professor. Include a bibliography with at least three outside journal/book references besides internet sources.  See SE, pp. 219-20 for indigenous internet sources. (5-6 pages, outline due Feb. 15; final version due March 8; 19% of grade)

 

3.   Paper #2:  Your Choice: 

          A. a summary and comparative evaluation of two  development/AID projects in the “Global South,” utilizing concepts from the course such as modernization, accumulation and sustainability, women’s role (see examples, Apr. 15-May 3) 

          B.  a  summary and evaluation of one major trade

     program such as NAFTA, CAFTA, FTAA, Africa Development Act (see professor for other choices).

    

          You will explain what the development/AID or trade projects were designed to accomplish, what they have accomplished, and how the project illustrated sustainable development as opposed to "modernization," and "neoclassical" development approaches.  Also include what     socio-economic and cultural factors were taken into account, and what your recommendations would be for program expansion. Include a bibliography with at least three outside journal/book references besides internet sources (5-6 pages, due May 3; 19% of grade)  

 

 

 

4.   One conference with the professor to discuss your first paper, mid-term exam, and outline of second paper (It is   your responsibility to schedule this conference in March-    April.  It is part of your class grade).

 

5.   Two essay exams (each 23% of grade)

 

Note: If you need course adaptation or accommodations because of a documented disability, please make an appointment or see the professor during his office hours.  He would be happy to discuss any special needs with you.