Course details

Contact information

Instructor: Prof. Tanner Regan
Class location (section 11): Funger Hall 210
Class location (section 10): Rome Hall 459
E-mail: tanner_regan@gwu.edu
Campus Address: Monroe Hall, Room 310
Contact Protocol: *Email* with subject line “ECON2151 - [subject]” and include your full name in the email

Office hours

• Thursdays 11:00am–1:00pm, August 27 – December 5.

• By appointment only, book a slot here: calendly.com/tanner-regan-gwu/office-hours

• I will assume we are meeting in-person, unless you send me an email requesting a link to meet virtually

Prerequisites

Economics 1011 and 1012 (Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics) are both prerequisites (as stated in the University Bulletin). There are no exceptions. Accepted credit as equivalent courses from other institutions can apply only if they are reflected on your current transcript.

Course content

This course takes a conventional economic approach to characterizing economic development and poverty, examining its causes and identify the underlying obstacles, and evaluating potential solutions and viable policy approaches. The course makes use of micro- and macro- tools for measurement and modelling, evidence from empirical research on the impact of specific policies and programs, and case studies.

Key Questions

• Why are some countries rich and others poor?

• Why have some formerly poor countries made great progress, and others so little?

• What can be done to improve living conditions for poor and vulnerable people?

• How can we measure the impacts of government policies and non-governmental programs on improving the well-being of poor and vulnerable people?

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Describe key ways developing economies differ from advanced economies.

• Compare economic development levels and growth histories across countries and regions.

• Construct and use key economic development indicators.

• Use basic analytic models of growth and development and critically assess the implications of their assumptions.

Expectations

• In class (2.5 hours per week)

  • ECON2151 is designated as an in-class course, you are expected to attend each class and contribute with questions. Be prepared to get the most out of the classes. Please finish a first read of the week’s assigned text readings and slides before each class.

• Outside of class (5 hours per week)

  • ECON2151 is designed so that you can do well with about five hours of work per week outside of regular class time (in addition to 2.5 hours of class time). This time should be a combination of problem set practice and text and slide review. Of course, students differ and you need to determine the allocation of time that is right for you.

Reading and study materials

Readings

• Required Readings

  • Textbook: Economic Development, 13th Ed., Michael Todaro and Stephen Smith, London, UK: Pearson (2020). Available at the campus bookstore, online sources, and a low-cost e-book for rent or purchase through vitalsource.com.

• Additional short readings posted on Blackboard as needed

A specific week-by-week reading schedule can be found in section 4 below.

Class slides

Class slides will be made available and are recommended to be reviewed in addition to reading the text. The slides are only partial outlines of topics, and are not substitutes for readings or lectures. Class recordings will NOT be made available.

Practice Problems (ungraded)

Supplemental review questions and practice analytic, exercises will be provided throughout the course to help you to improve your understanding and prepare for exams. They will not be graded, but solutions will be provided about a week after the material has been covered in class. It is strongly recommended that students work on these practice exercises independently and throught the semester (do not wait to start them a week before an exam).

Course AI policy

Grading

• [2%] Student survey

  • Due by 11:59pm on September 4th.

  • Complete the survey form at the end of this syllabus.

• [10%] Class quizzes

  • Ten quizzes, each taken in-class (see section 4 for schedule, typically they will be on a tuesday). The purpose is to encourage class attendance and engagement with the material on a regular basis. Your three lowest scores will be dropped, but no makeup quizzes will be provided for any reason.

• [30%] Midterm Exam

  • Scheduled for October 8th during class subject to confirmation.

  • All course material (readings, slides, lectures, exercises, etc.) up until the date of the midterm is examinable material.

• [15%] Course project

  • Due by 11:59pm on November 27th.

  • Late submissions will not be accepted and recieve a grade of zero

  • Detailed assignment guidelines will be posted separately and discussed in class.

• [40%] Final Exam

  • The exam will take place during the December finals period, exact schedule TBD.

  • All course material (readings, slides, lectures, exercises, etc.) is examinable material.

• [3%] Course Evaluation

  • Due by 11:59pm on December 10th.

  • Complete the course evaluation at the end of the semester.

Grading scale

Grading policies

DSS accomodation: Any student who may need an accommodation based on the potential impact of a disability should contact Disability Support Services at disabilitysupport.gwu.edu to establish eligibility and to coordinate reasonable accommodations. The Professor cannot determine eligibility, you must do this with DSS as soon as possible.
Make-up Midterm: In fairness to those who complete exam preparation on time, a make-up midterm is only allowed in case of verified serious illness or death in the family (doctor note and contact; obituary or funeral notice). Also see University policy on religious holidays below. In special cases such as approved University travel impossible to postpone, approval may be considered to take an exam earlier - not later - than otherwise scheduled.
Make-up Final Exam: Students who are not present for the final exam will receive an automatic F. If you missed the final exam due to a documented emergency you will earn an “Incomplete” grade (you need to inform the Professor and provide the required documentation either prior to the exam date or within 3 days following the exam). In this case, a University sanctioned incomplete contract will be drawn stating that the final exam will be taken at a mutually agreed upon date at the beginning of the following semester (no later than the first two weeks of the following semester). All “Incomplete” applications are reviewed and approved or denied by the Dean, not by the Professor. Note that the University requires a student to have “a satisfactory explanation for their inability to complete the work of the course during the semester of enrolment” and “satisfactory attendance and performance” for the application to be considered at all.
Extra-credits: There are no “extra credit” supplements or alternatives under any circumstances. This policy maintains transparency and fairness for all students.
Regrading: Regrading requests may be considered depending on circumstances. Any mistakes in summing up points should be flagged immediately. For concerns that the grading itself was incorrect, students may be able to resubmit their whole assignment for regrading (therefore this may result in a higher or lower grade than what they receive initially).

Course schedule

The schedule provides an overview of likely dates for topics, and corresponding readings. Schedule details will be confirmed through the semester. Text refers to Todaro and Smith, Economic Development, 13th Ed. Please complete readings prior to corresponding class meetings.

week-by-week schedule

APPENDIX

University Policies

Academic Integrity Code

Academic integrity is an essential part of the educational process, and all members of the GW community take these matters very seriously. As the instructor of record for this course, my role is to provide clear expectations and uphold them in all assessments. Violations of academic integrity occur when students fail to cite research sources properly, engage in unauthorized collaboration, falsify data, and otherwise violate the Code of Academic Integrity. If you have any questions about whether or not particular academic practices or resources are permitted, you should ask me for clarification. If you are reported for an academic integrity violation, you should contact Conflict Education and Student Accountability (CESA), formerly known as Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR), to learn more about your rights and options in the process. Consequences can range from failure of assignment to expulsion from the University and may include a transcript notation. For more information, refer to the CESA website at https://studentconduct.gwu.edu/academic-integrity, email cesa@gwu.edu, or call 202-994-6757.

University Policy on Observance of Religious Holidays

Students must notify faculty during the first week of the semester in which they are enrolled in the course, or as early as possible, but no later than three weeks prior to the absence, of their intention to be absent from class on their day(s) of religious observance. If the holiday falls within the first three weeks of class, the student must inform faculty in the first week of the semester. For details and policy, see “Religious Holidays” at provost.gwu.edu/policies-procedures-and-guidelines.

Use of Electronic Course Materials and Class Recordings

Students are encouraged to use electronic course materials for private personal use in connection with their academic program of study. While the instructor will not record classes, students may use their own electronic devices to record. Electronic course materials and recorded class sessions should not be shared or used for non-course related purposes unless express permission has been granted by the instructor. Students who impermissibly share any electronic course materials are subject to discipline under the Student Code of Conduct. Please contact the instructor if you have questions regarding what constitutes permissible or impermissible use of electronic course materials and/or recorded class sessions. Please contact Disability Support Services at disabilitysupport.gwu.edu if you have questions or need assistance in accessing electronic course materials.

Academic Support

Writing Center

GW’s Writing Center cultivates confident writers in the University community by facilitating collaborative, critical, and inclusive conversations at all stages of the writing process. Working alongside peer mentors, writers develop strategies to write independently in academic and public settings. Appointments can be booked online at gwu.mywconline.

Academic Commons

Academic Commons is the central location for academic support resources for GW students. To schedule a peer tutoring session for a variety of courses visit go.gwu.edu/tutoring. Visit academiccommons.gwu.edu for study skills tips, finding help with research, and connecting with other campus resources. For questions email academiccommons@gwu.edu.

Support for Students Outside the Classroom

Disability Support Services (DSS): 202-994-8250

Any student who may need an accommodation based on the potential impact of a disability should contact Disability Support Services at disabilitysupport.gwu.edu to establish eligibility and to coordinate reasonable accommodations.

Student Health Center: 202-994-5300, 24/7

The Student Health Center (SHC) offers medical, counseling/psychological, and psychiatric services to GW students. More information about the SHC is available at healthcenter.gwu.edu. Students experiencing a medical or mental health emergency on campus should contact GW Emergency Services at 202-994-6111, or off campus at 911.

GW Campus Emergency Information

GW Emergency Services: 202-994-6111 For situation-specific instructions, refer to GW’s Emergency Procedures guide.

GW Alert

GW Alert is an emergency notification system that sends alerts to the GW community. GW requests students, faculty, and staff maintain current contact information by logging on to alert.gwu.edu. Alerts are sent via email, text, social media, and other means, including the Guardian app. The Guardian app is a safety app that allows you to communicate quickly with GW Emergency Services, 911, and other resources. Learn more at safety.gwu.edu.

Classroom emergency lockdown buttons

All classrooms have been equipped with classroom emergency lockdown buttons. If the button is pushed, GWorld Card access to the room will be disabled, and GW Dispatch will be alerted. The door must be manually closed if it is not closed when the button is pushed. Anyone in the classroom will be able to exit, but no one will be able to get in.

Protective Actions

GW prescribes four protective actions that can be issued by university officials depending on the type of emergency. All GW community members are expected to follow directions according to the specified protective action. The protective actions are Shelter, Evacuate, Secure, and Lockdown (details below). Learn more at safety.gwu.edu/gw-standard-emergency-statuses.

1. Shelter

   • Protection from a specific hazard

   • The hazard could be a tornado, earthquake, hazardous material spill, or other environmental emergency.

   • Specific safety guidance will be shared on a case-by-case basis.

   • Action:

     • Follow safety guidance for the hazard.

2. Evacuate

   • Need to move people from one location to another.

   • Students and staff should be prepared to follow specific instructions given by first responders and University officials.

   • Action:

     • Evacuate to a designated location.

     • Leave belongings behind.

     • Follow additional instructions from first responders.

3. Secure

   • Threat or hazard outside of buildings or around campus.

   • Increased security, secured building perimeter, increased situational awareness, and restricted access to entry doors.

   • Action:

     • Go inside and stay inside.

     • Activities inside may continue.

4. Lockdown

   • Threat or hazard with the potential to impact individuals inside buildings.

   • Room-based protocol that requires locking interior doors, turning off lights, and staying out of sight of corridor window.

   • Action:

     • Locks, lights, out of sight

     • Consider Run, Hide, Fight

Student Survey (graded)

Participation marks are awarded for completing this form. To receive credit you must:

1. Read the syllabus and raise any questions or concerns you may have with the Professor.

2. Complete the google form at: forms.gle/9Yf6kcV1YfVvxsz76