FYS Seminar

Rich Nations, Poor Nations (DRAFT)
First Year Seminar 16
Fall 2017

Course Description

There is enormous wealth and income inequality around the world. Why are some countries rich, and other countries poor? What do we mean by rich and poor? We will begin by looking around the world today to understand this inequality. Then we will go back in time, and seek to understand the courses of disparities in economic development, and wealth distribution among the world’s nations and regions. We will consider the role of geography, institutions, property rights, economics, politics, history, and culture in explaining different standards of living in different parts of the world.

Until a few years ago the United States was the largest economy in the world. But since 2014 China has been the world's largest economy in purchasing-power-parity terms. China has regained a position it held through most of the past 500 years. In 1820 China was producing about one-third of global economic output. How do we explain these shifts?

Over a longer horizon there have been similar economic shifts between the "East" and the "West" broadly defined. As early as 14,000 BCE the West took the early lead. But the East took over the lead from 550 CE to 1750 CE. And with the industrial revolution, the West retook the lead. It is anyone's guess what will happen in the next century.

Description
This course is a first year seminar with no prerequisites. We will learn to apply basic economic concepts and analytical techniques to the study of human history. This is also a writing intensive class which will require at least 25 pages of writing. Drafts of these 25 pages will be reviewed, and returned with comments, before submission of the final draft. And we will spend some time helping you adjust to life in college.

Readings
The main readings for the class will come from the following books:
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, 1776.
Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs and Steel, Norton, 1997.
Ian Morris, Why The West Rules – For Now, Picador, 2010.
Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson, Why Nations Fail, Crown, 2012.
Hernando De Soto, The Mystery of Capital, Basic Books, 2003.
David Landes, The Wealth and Poverty of Nations, Norton, 1999.
Erik Reinert, How Rich Countries Got Rich and Why Poor Countries Stay Poor, Public Affairs, 2007.

We will also read some chapters in Cooper and John, Economics: Theory Through Applications, from the Open Textbook Library. Additional readings will be posted on the course web page.

Instructor Information
If any material is ever unclear, or even if everything is perfectly clear, please come to chat with me about the course or anything for that matter. If you have a short question, please feel free to call me at the office, leave voicemail or send me email. For longer and better explanations, come by my office during office hours or make an appointment to see me at your convenience. My office and office hours for the Fall semester are as follows:

Fletcher 216
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 11:00-12noon
Email: lyamane@pitzer.edu

IGLAS Fellow
The IGLAS fellow for our class is Brandon Hsiu’18. Brandon was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Chino Hills, California. He identifies as Chinese-Taiwanese American and is an Economics-Accounting major. He founded the Students in Business club and works at the Center for Asian Pacific American Students (CAPAS). He enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies, and going to the gym. In the future, Brandon hopes to integrate social justice into his career as a business professional.

Office: Bernard Louge (second floor of Bernard Hall)

Office Hours: Fri 11-12noon

Email: brhsiu@students.pitzer.edu
Phone: 626-602-6981

Library Collaboration
We will be working with Honnold librarian Mary Martin to learn strategies for accessing and assessing Honnold Mudd Library's wealth of research tools and resources. If you have questions about the collections at the Claremont Colleges, or would like to schedule an individual research consultation, please contact Mary Martin at 909-621-8923 or mary_martin@cuc.claremont.edu.

Writing Center
Located in Mead 131, the Writing Center is one of Pitzer's popular academic resources. They offer free one-on-one conferences with student writers working on projects across the disciplines. The Writing Center Fellows are Pitzer students trained to consult with writers at all stages of the writing process, from brainstorming ideas to developing an effective revision strategy. Students may bring any writing project to the center, including academic essays, grant proposals, lab reports, creative projects, and senior theses. You can reach them at 909-607-4321 and writing@pitzer.edu. See https://www.pitzer.edu/writing-center/

Friday Lunch
I will ask every student to join me for lunch at least once during the semester. Lunch will be on Fridays from 12 noon – 1pm, generally in the east wing of McConnell Dining Hall. There is no agenda for the lunch. We can talk about anything you would like to talk about including class assignments.

Classroom Environment
My goal is to welcome everyone to our examination of rich nations and poor nations. As an instructor, I hold the fundamental belief that everyone in the class is fully capable of engaging and mastering the material. We should have a safe environment that is conducive to learning. All are welcomed and encouraged to actively participate in the learning of economics, regardless of gender, race, nationality, native language, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, and especially personal academic history. My goal is to meet everyone at least halfway in the learning process. Our classroom should be an inclusive space, where ideas, questions, and misconceptions can be discussed with respect. There is usually more than one way to see and solve a problem and we will all be richer if we can be open to multiple paths to knowledge. I look forward to getting to know you all, as individuals and as a learning community.

Course Content Note (Trigger Warning)
At times this semester we might be discussing some issues that may be disturbing, perhaps traumatizing, to some students. If you suspect that specific material is likely to be emotionally challenging for you, I would be happy to discuss any concerns you may have before the subject comes up in class. Likewise, if you ever wish to discuss your personal reactions to course material with the class or with me individually afterwards, I welcome such discussions as an appropriate part of our classwork.

If you ever feel the need to step outside during a class discussion you may always do so without academic penalty. You will, however, be responsible for any material you miss. If you do leave the room for a significant time, please make arrangements to get notes from another student or see me individually to discuss the situation.

Technology Policy
If you need a laptop, tablet, or any other device for taking notes or otherwise participating in class, that is fine. However, please do not use a personal device for any purpose unrelated to our class. All devices should be silenced. Cell phones should be put away, except in the rare instance that I ask you to use them for an activity. I recommend that you power them down. If there is a serious need to leave your cell phone on, such as a family emergency, please put it on vibrate and let me know. If you leave the classroom to take a call, I will understand why. Otherwise, you will be penalized.

Academic Dishonesty
Cheating, claiming credit falsely, facilitating academic dishonesty, multiple submissions, and plagiarism are all forms of academic dishonesty. If the standards of academic honesty have been disregarded, it is my responsibility to report the incident to the Office of Student Affairs and to inform you that a report is being made. I may impose an academic penalty including failure in the course, and will report the outcome to the Office of Student Affairs. If a student disputes the incident or the severity of the penalty, the student may have a hearing before the Judicial Council where the potential sanctions include suspension and expulsion.

Disability Accommodations
It is Pitzer College policy to provide, on a flexible and individualized basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Affairs as early as possible in the semester. Use of disability accommodations, including testing accommodations, requires prior authorization by the Office of Student Affairs and compliance with approved procedures.

Tips for Success
Your chances of learning the material and earning a good grade in this class will improve greatly if you follow these suggestions. It will help you succeed in your other classes as well.
1. Show up! Eighty percent of success in life is just showing up. Make sure you attend every scheduled class period in its entirety. The most important information is often shared in the first five minutes or the last five minutes of class.
2. Participate actively! Stay focused and involved in every class, offering your best comments, questions, and answers. This is a discussion class, not a lecture class– active discussion is expected of all students. Turn off your cell phone to prevent any distractions.
3. Do the work! Try your very best in preparing for each class session and on all your assignments. Hand in your assignments on time. And remember that late is better than never.
4. Be Honest! Your faculty and fellow students expect you to act with integrity in all your work and your classes.

Syllabus

August	29	Where are you from?
	31	Cooper and John, Economics, Ch 18
September	5	Honnold Library (Digital Tool Shed), Draft Essay #1
	7	Cooper and John, Ch 20
	12	World Happiness Report
	14	Inclusive Wealth Report, Essay #1 due
	19	Cooper and John, Ch 21
	21	Runyowa "Microaggressions Matter"
	26	Draft Essay #2
	28	Computer Lab BH213
October	3
	5	Essay #2 due
	7 (Sat)	Sriracha Plant tour, depart 12 noon
	10
	12	Draft Essay #3
	17	Fall Break (no class)
	19	Economic Growth
	24	Convergence
	26	Essay #3 due, Wealth of Nations
	31	McIntosh "White Privilege"
November	2	Honnold Library Research Session
	7	Draft Essay #4, How Rich Countries
	9	Why the West Rules, Guns, Germs Steel
	14	Why Nations Fail
	16	Essay #4 due, Mystery of Capital
	21	Wealth and Poverty of Nations
	23	Thanksgiving (no class)
	28	Draft Essay #5
	30
December	5
	7	Essay #5 due

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will learn to write and re-write
2. Students will read several books about human history
3. Students will prepare themselves for life at Pitzer and in Claremont