Wednesday 31 October 2012




BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO
FACULTY OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE



POL.2204: THEORIES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY



2012/2013 (SECOND SEMESTER)



INSTRUCTOR: M.M. YUSIF




Description of the Course
Political Economy is a theory discipline. Since it became an independent body of knowledge, it has made great advance in developing concepts, methods, theories and approaches to explain and understand the changes and transformation of human society.

Theory development in the science follows the transformation of human society. So, it is said theories in the science are not permanent, because as society changes existing theories outlive their usefulness and give way to new ones that would capture the analysis of the new society.

This course is designed to introduce students searching of foundation in political economy to some of the major established theories in the science of political economy. We will bring out the basic propositions of each theory, and the ways in which these give analytic guide and research strategies characteristic of the theories.

As we are students of political science, we will discuss the political implications of each theory and the kinds of society or polity which each wants to build.

You are going to read some major influential works on these theories, and I hope that by the end of the semester, you should be able to see the differences of the theories and map out, how each has constructed an image for the development of human society.

Finally, by way of an advise of a teacher to his students, let me speak in the thinking and words of one great theorists of Political Economy i.e. Karl Marx who said “there is only one royal road to science”. This road he said is hard working. So, go and work hard, you have come here to learn, so try to learn something. Learning is self-transformation. Therefore, let me see that you are not the same after this course.

Course Outline and Recommended Readings
1.     Introducing the Course; the topics to be treated; course requirements and grading of students; Aids for learning and research; Assessment of the teaching programme by students; other issues.

Readings
(a)        Mauro C. and Rosanna D. “D. E. Research: An Introduction to Online Political Science Sources for Beginners and Skeptics
(b)       M. M. Yusif, Principles of Teaching in lasses of M. M. Yusif – Online.
(c)        M. M. Yusif, How to write small research project. Online.
(d)       Stephen V. F. Guide to Methods for Studnets of Political Science.

The Background
2.     Political Economy: What is it and what is it not?

Readings
(a)        Beckman B. “Political Science and Political Economy”. In Barongo Y. R. (ed.) Political Science in Africa: A Critical Review.
(b)       Eskor Toyo, “Primary Requirements for the Unity of Political Science and Economics”. In Barongo Y. R. op-cit.
(c)        Eskor Toyo, “The mode of Production Nucleus as integration of Economic and Political Sciences”. In NJPS Vol. 2 No. 2.
(d)       G. A. Kozlov. Political Economy: Capitalism Chapter 1.
3.     History of Political Economy

Readings
(a)        James E. A. and Alberto A. “Political Economy: An Overview” In Robert E. G. and Klingermann (ed.) Handbook on New Political Science.
(b)       Atkinson A. E. “Political Economy: Old and New”. As in (a) above.

The Liberal Tradition
4.     Classical Political Economy

Readings
(a)        Adom Smith, An Inquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of Nations.
(b)       James A. Caporaso and David P. Levine, Theories of Political Economy. Chapter 2.

5.     Neo-Classical Political Economy

Readings
(a)        Caporaso and Levine, Chapter 4.
(b)       Joseph Stiglitz, Globalization and its discontents.

6.     Keynessian Political Economy

Readings
(a)        Caporaso and Levine – Chapter 5.
(b)       V. Afanasyeu, Bourgeois Economic Thought 1930s – 70s. Chapters 2 and 3

Marxian Tradition/Perspectives

7.     Marxian Political Economy

Readings
(a)        Allen W. B. “What is Marxism”.
(b)       Paul M. S. The Theory of Capitalist Development Chapter 1
(c)        Bade O. An Introduction to Marxist Political Economy Chapters 1 and 2
(d)       Manderl E. Late Capitalism Chapter 3
(e)        Kozlov G. A. Chapter 4
(f)         Karl Marx, “Preface to a Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy.
(g)        Adam B. Postmodern Theory and Karl Marx.
(h)        Caporaso and Levine. Chapter 3
(i)          John G. “Whats Now whats Global what Marxism at the end ed (21st..
(j)          Anthony Brewer, Theories of Imperialism: A Critical review.

Trends in Contemporary Bourgeoisie Political Economy
8.     Industrial and Post-Industrial Society Theory.
9.     Neo-Liberalism and Social Market Economic Theory.
10.     Intuitionalism Theory.
11.     Democratization of  Capital  Theory
12.     Radical Political Economy
13.     Bruno Freys Politico-economic model
14.     The Theory of New Political Economy

Readings
1.     Caparaso and Levine
2.     Bruno S. Frey Modern Political Economy
3.     A. G. Mileikovsky and others, Present – Day Neo-Marxist Political Economy
4.     V. A. Afanasyev, Bourgeois Economic Thought 1930s – 70s.
5.     Robert H. B. and Anne O. K., Politcal and Economic Interactions in Economic Policy Reform.

Conclusion

15.      Conclusion (i)
(a)  Theoretical Conclusion
(b) Reports on semester Group Projects

16.      Conclusion (ii)
(a)  Eating and Chatting
(b) Discussion on Classroom Experience

Joint Readings
1.     James Petras, “Liberal, Structural and Radical Approaches to Political Economy: An Assessment and an alternative.
2.     Antonio Merlo, “Wither Political Economy? Theories, Facts and Issues.
3.     Richard Bellomy, “Liberalism”. In Roger Eatwell and Anthony Wright (eds.). Contemporary Political  Ideologies.
4.     Milton Friedman, “The relation between Economic Freedom and Political Freedom”. In Edward S. G. and Richard P. Y. (eds.). American Politics Reconsidered: Power and Inequality in America.
5.     Marcy Carnoy, The State and Political Theory.
6.     M. C. Howard and I. E. King, The Political Economy of Marx.
7.     Erik S. R., How Rich Countries Got Rich and why Poor Countries Stay Poor.

Course Requirement
v  The teaching of the course is by giving lectures. Each topic is expected to be covered in one lecture period. When the duration of the semester is against my plan some topics may be combined for treatment. However, the last 30minutes of each period will be for presentation and discussion on chosen text or question.
v  Assessment of students is based on end of semester examination (70%) and continuous assessment (30%). The CA will be determined by obligatory weekly assignment; active participation in discussing the assignment; a group small research project; research project response paper; a supervised test; ICT usage; attendance;
v  At the end of the semester each seminar will submit a report on classroom experience.
v  There are many teaching aids on my website which are recommended to enhance the capacity of students in ICT, communicative writing, etc.
v  In order to purify the system of learning and research I have to take strict disciplinary action against any student who is found on plagiarism. To avoid plagiarism you must not copy or paraphrase someone else work and present it as your own. Again, all texts consulted should be properly acknowledged. The penalty is that any work found to be plagiarism will receive zero. And any student found in two cases of plagiarism will result in being assessed “00” in the overall CA on the course.

Learning Needs Skills
Learning, even in tertiary institutions is a complex relationships of so many skills. It requires communication skills, team work, study devices, use of modern information and Communication Technology, etc.

The following learning guides which I have developed for my students in the last six years are also recommended for you. They are compulsory readings for all my students in the level 200. They can be found in my e-mail address: http://www.mmyusuf.blogspot.com.
They are hereby listed below:
1.               assessing students examination papers: Marking Scheme
2.               Enhancing students capacity in learning through the use of computers, internet and e-mail
3.               Introducing Team/Group works in large classes
4.               How to use internet to source reading materials
5.               Study guidelines for effective performance by my student
6.               How to make patterned notes from texts
7.               Writing Examination: A Communicative Approach
8.               How to write group semester paper in large classes
9.               How to write Book Review
10.          Communicative writing: Exploring the concept
11.          Taking Note in class lecture or from a Textbook
12.          Using E-mail for Teaching, Learning and Research
13.          Using E-journals and E-Books for Teaching, Learning and Research
14.          Code of ethics in the class of M. M. Yusif
15.          ICT for learning and education: beyond information
16.          Criticism-self-criticism session
17.          Guidelines for small-research project
18.          Progress Report on ICTs for learning and research
19.          The underlying guides and principles of teaching in my class
20.          Reflecting on Teaching Military and Politics
21.          How to do research: What are the Problems
22.          Information Age: Moving with ICTs to understand the World around us
23.          Progress Report on the teaching of Peace and Conflict Studies

My watch word in this year’s teaching is whatever ideas received from me or from text books given to read are not correct and final. You must challenge and criticize them in order to keep learning. In this academic session is “Education for transformation of individuals as students. Get ready. Each of you is going to show and tell us that he/she has changed, from the time we have started to the end of the course and beyond.


M. M. YUSUF

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