PSCI 341
Modern Midas? Resource Abundance and Development Spring 2015
Division II Writing Skills
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Many academics, international nongovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, and the media assert that natural resource endowments–oil, gas, and diamonds–are like the touch of Midas. Yet consider that while mineral abundance promises to give countries a platform for prosperity, equity, and political stability, it often produces poor economic performance, poor populations, weak authoritarian states, and widespread conflict. Is there a resource curse, or is it possible for mineral rich countries to escape the modern counterparts of Midas? In this research seminar we revisit the debate on the relationship between mineral wealth and development, focusing on the factors and conditions that lead some resource rich countries to fail and others to succeed.
The Class: Format: seminar
Limit: 14
Expected: 12
Class#: 3687
Grading: no pass/fail option, no fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation: active participation in discussions, four short theory reviews (1-2 pages), two case study discussions (4-5 pages), literature review (10 pages), and a research proposal (15 pages)
Extra Info: may not be taken on a pass/fail basis; not available for the Gaudino option
Prerequisites: any of the introduction courses (PSCI 201, 202, 203, or 204) plus at least one PSCI or POEC course
Enrollment Preferences: senior and junior majors in Political Science followed by senior and junior majors in Political Economy
Distributions: Division II Writing Skills
Attributes: INST Economic Development Studies Electives
POEC Comparative POEC/Public Policy Courses
PSCI Comparative Politics Courses
PSCI Research Courses

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