PLS 480 /EC 480
Policies of Greed and Need

Synthesis Course

weekly menu 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


Furlough

10 Project

Welcome to Policies of Greed and Need. This course is being taught jointly by Dr. Sandra Emerson
of the Political Science Department and Dr Lynda Rush of the Economics Department. It may be taken
to meet the "Area D. Social Sciences" of the university's general education requirements.

Readings: See Syllabus for weekly assignment of readings

COURSE SYLLABUS

TIME Mon. 6:00 to 9:50 p.m. PHONE NUMBERS (909) 869-3879 Emerson
(909) 869-3857 Rush
LOCATION Building 1 Rm. 309 E-MAIL

smemerson@csupomona.edu
lmrush@csupomona.edu

COURSE ADVISING   HOURS  
S. Emerson Building 94-309 Mon. 3-4:00 p.m.
Thurs. 10-11: a.m.
Sat. 1:00-4:00 p.m.
L. Rush

Building 1-335

Mon. 4:00 to 6:00

Tues - Thurs: 11:30 -1:00 p.m.

OBJECTIVES:
The course objectives are for students to learn to use economic reasoning and theories of democratic
governance to analyze domestic economic policies and their consequences on different sectors of the
economy. Students will explore the political, historic and economic influences that drive public policies
addressing poverty and avarice. They will also explore how the market economy can lead to an increase
in wealth inequality. Students will exam market success and failure and explore the government’s role
of ensuring equity and justice in a capitalist economy

COURSE ACTIVITIES:
Student assessments will be based on two examinations, a term debate presentation supported by
debate papers. The examinations will be essay questions. Students may request to take exams
early but no make-up exams will be allowed.

The quarter debate will require that each member of the team participate in the presentation. Any
material submitted late or failure to make a presentation will result in an automatic F for the course
Students are encouraged to submit drafts early for faculty review. See schedule for details.

TASK
POINTS
Mid Term Examination
35 points
Final Examination
35 points

The Great Debates (Paper and Presentation)

30 points

TOTAL
100 points

The Great Debate : For details visit the project page on-line.

GRADES:

GRADE/RANGE (plus)+   (minus)-
A   94-100 90-93
B 87-89 84-86 80-83
C 77-79 74-76 70-73
D 67-69 64-66 60-63
F BELOW 60

READINGS:
Ellwood, David T. 2000. A Working Nation New York: Russell Sage
Krugman, Paul 2006. Conscience of a Liberal . New York: Norton Press
Schwarz, John E. 1997. Illusions of Opportunity, New York: WW Norton and Company

University Reader:
Madison, James 1789. Federalist Papers 10, 51 and 63. Belleview Washington: Merril Press
Collins, Chuck et. al 2004. The Wealth Inequality Reader. Section 1. Cambridge MA.: Dollars and Sense
Krugman, Paul 2005. The Great Unraveling Chapters 12 and 15. New York: W.W. Norton Company
Sargent, Lyman Tower 2006. Contemporary Political Ideologies, 13th edition .Belmont CA.: Thomson Wadsworth.

The link to The UNIVERSITY READER website is: www.universityreaders.com

Student Help section (with FAQs), here: http://www.universityreaders.com/help/student/

COST = $36.28.

On Line Articles Through CPP Library [Note: select article title to view on-line. To access from a remote location be sure to have you Cal Poly Bronco ID number and your Library pin number. If you experience difficulties, utilize the "view or print" option and/or contact CPP Library for assistance during regular working hours.]

Beitel, K. 2008. The Subprime Debacle. Monthly Review 60 (1), 27-44.

Crittenden, M. R. (2007). Bracing for Default Day. CQ Weekly 65 (17), 1168-77

Sargent, Lyman Tower 2006. Contemporary Political Ideologies, 13th edition .Belmont CA.: Thomson Wadsworth. CHAPTER 3

SCEHDULE OF CLASS SESSIONS

MODULE DATE TOPIC READINGS (CHAPTERS) AND WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
1

September 28 Introduction
SYLLABUS
The Smartest Guys In the Room
2

October 5

Foundations of the Republic

University Reader:
Madison, Federalist Papers 10, 51, 63 and federalism 39, 44-46.

Text:
Schwarz, Illusions of Opportunity, Chapters 1, 2, 5 and 9.

On-line: Sargent, L. Chapter 3
FYI: Declaration of Independence

3

October 12 Theories of a Free Market & Monopolies

University Reader:
Krugman
Chapter 12, California Screaming.

See web resources for Week 4.
TOPIC SELECTION, DEBATE SIDES & TEAM MEMBERS CHOSEN

See week 5 for mid term topics

4

October 19

Capitalism, Socialism, Conservatism and Liberalism


See web resources for this week.

University Reader:

Sargent, L.
Chapter 4 and 5.

See web resources for Week 3.

See PROJECTS for term topics
5

October 26

MID TERM

Bring Blue books to class.

 

 


Texts:
Schwarz
, Illusions of Opportunity, Chapters 1, 2, 5 and 9.

University Reader:

Madison,
Federalist Papers 10, 51, 63 and federalism 39, 44-46..
Sargent, L. Chapter 4 -5.

Krugman, P. , Chapter 12 California Screaming and
web materials for 1 through 4 including

Declaration of Independence
and U.S. Constitution and Sargent, L. Chapter 3 are on-line or have a hyperlink

6

November 2

 

Government Policy

 

On line with CPP Library

Beitel, K
. 2008. The Subprime Debacle. Monthly Review 60 (1), 27-44.

Crittenden, M. R. (2007). Bracing for Default Day. CQ Weekly 65 (17), 1168-77

7



November 9 Issues of Income Disparity

University Reader::
Collins Chapter 1

Text: Krugman Chapter 1-3 and 12

8

November 16 Labor Market Economics and Discrimination Ellwood Chapters 1and 2.


University Reader:

Krugman
Chapter 15 and web page
  November 23 Furlough Preparation of debate/discussion papers and power point presentations workshop. Students may utilize the classroom for finalizing debates, developing and rehearsing presentations. The faculty is furloughed.

9 /10



November 30 The Great Debate-
All debate papers are due at 6:00 p.m.

Each team will have 15 minutes to present their position followed by a 10 minute Q and A. Total air time =30-35 minutes max.

FINAL


December 7

Final. See study topics on line for WEEK 10.

All assigned readings and materials for Weeks 6-10.
Bring blue books and Section C.
Grades are on-line via Bronco Direct.


CLASS NOTES FOR SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM