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POLS
475: Government and the Economy Class: 4:40-5:55
pm TR, 1015 Allen Building Office Hours: |
Course
Objectives:
This course focuses on the inter-relationship
between government and the economy in the U.S. Initially we will look at the
historical evolution of U.S. government involvement in the economy, from pre-history
to the present. Then we will consider the normative perspective: Should
government be involved in the U.S. economy? If so, then how much involvement
should there be, and using what rationale? Finally, we will focus on how
government actually is involved in the U.S. economy. In this section we look at
U.S. fiscal, monetary, and regulatory policy, as well as the institutions
responsible for their implementation.
The course theme will be the dynamics of interaction
between market and democratic allocation systems. Methodologically throughout
the course, we will analyze what we know about these processes from empirical
evidence, systematic analysis, and data, in the process drawing generalizations
whenever possible. We will at times consider the details of particular policies
for purposes of exposition. However, this is not a course in particular
economic policies. I expect students to take from the course a conceptual
understanding of U.S. economic relationships and the institutions of American
government.
Course
Format:
The substance of this course consists of information
from several sources. In class, we will engage in as much discussion as
possible. To that end, you need to read assignments before their due date. Be
able to discuss and answer questions about them. We will also follow current
events to get a real time view of economic policy using the Wall Street Journal or New York Times. You will need an individual student
subscription to the Wall Street Journal or New York Times (includes both print
and on-line version) under the respective college programs. Go to the links on the
readings page to sign up.
We
will also use various other sources of economic news, including The Economist, The Dismal Scientist, Reuters, and The New York Times
Business Section. For other mutual sources
of information, I suggest listening to Morning Edition
(5-9am) or All Things Considered
(4-6:30pm) on National Public Radio
or watching the News Hour with Jim Lehrer
(6-7pm) on PBS.
Online, you should also check CNN
AllPolitics, Brookings Institution, Cato Institute, American
Enterprise Institute, and other policy related links.
In
addition to the assigned readings, we will review articles from the Wall Street Journal or New York Times that pertain to the course
materials.* You will present and lead class
discussions of the articles each week. With my approval, you
will select articles that whenever possible complement class
topics. So in a very real sense, you will help to shape the content of the
course! Of course, you all will
be responsible for all assigned
readings. Find out the date and topic for your
presentation by clicking here.
Presentations will be graded on the basis of
originality, bringing class members into discussions, demonstrated relevance to
the course materials, clarity, and use of visual media. A one point bonus will
be given to the best presentation prior to each examination. A three point
bonus will be given to the best presentation for the entire course. All points
will be added to the final course grade. Class members will vote on the
recipients of these awards.
Tuesdays
will generally focus on that week's assigned readings.
Thursdays will generally move more toward your presentation and discussion of
the newspaper articles. The
focus of the later activity should be towards integrating the articles into the overall topics at hand.
Course Grade:
There are two
exams, a mid-semester and a final.
Each exam is worth 30% of the grade for a total of 60% from exams. Exams
consist of a number of essay questions. A few days before the exam, I will give you a set of about six essay
questions. On the day of the
exam, I will select 3 of these questions for you to answer. Please do not miss the exams (you
know our schedule
now and so can plan your schedule well ahead). I will not give makeups unless you 1) notify
me or the Department in advance (no exceptions); and 2) verify
extreme circumstances in writing. A research paper
consisting of an annotated bibliography is worth another 30% of your grade. The
exact format and topics will be discussed in class. The annotated bibliography
will be graded in stages, with the first version worth 10% of the grade, and a
revised version worth the remaining 20% of the grade. The initial paper is due
on Tuesday, November 22st; the final version is due on Tuesday,
December 6rd. You may, of course, turn in your written assignments
at any time before their due date. However, do NOT turn in late papers!
You will lose one letter grade for
each day late. Another 10% of your grade consists of your
presentations.
Your
grade also depends on your participation
in and attendance of class. The TAMU attendance policy applies to this course, and I will take daily attendance. If you
have perfect attendance, I will add three bonus points to your final grade. If
you miss fewer than three unexcused absences I will add one bonus point to your
final grade. This could help if you are borderline between letter grades. More
important, it will be impossible to do well in the course having missed lecture
materials and crucial conceptual discussions.
While
I do not grade on a curve (You
earn what you earn, and I hope
you all earn "A"s!), the typical class average is around a middle or
upper "C". Simply completing the course requirements will most likely
earn a "C". A "B" requires some demonstration of effort beyond just the requirements. An
"A" requires extraordinary
performance.
To
facilitate communication, each student in the course should have a NEO email
account through http://neo.tamu.edu. Go to
this web address and follow the instructions to initiate your NEO account.
Let me also mention academic integrity. All students are expected to abide by
the University policy on exams and written work. In this regard you should not
acquire answers for examinations from unauthorized sources, provide answers to
others, or engage in plagiarism. As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of
passing off as one's own the ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to
another. In accordance with the definition, you are committing plagiarism if
you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you
should have the permission of the person. Plagiarism is one of the worst
academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without
which research cannot be safely communicated. If you have questions regarding
the University's policy on scholastic dishonesty you may consult http://student-rules.tamu.edu/aggiecode
and http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu/ .
Specific definitions of academic dishonesty are at http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu/Descriptions/.
The
handouts used in this course are copyrighted. By "handouts," I mean
all materials generated for this class, which include but are not limited to
syllabi, quizzes, exams, lab problems, in-class materials review sheets, and
additional problem sets. Because these are copyrighted, you do not have the
right to copy the handouts, unless I expressly grant permission.
Students with Disabilities: The Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive
civil rights protections for persons with disabilities. Among other things,
this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a
learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their
disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation,
please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with
Disabilities in Room 126 of the Koldus Building, or call 845-1637.
* You will select
the topics during the first two weeks of the course. Multiple persons may
research the same topic, but a statement of individual contributions will be
required on the paper.