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Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia Tuesday - Thursday 2:00-3:15 |
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Barry
Allen, Beal-Maltbie,
ext. 2647
Tom Lairson, Cornell
Social Sciences 214, ext. 2166
Lee Lines, Beal-Maltbie,
ext. 6377
This course examines the recent history of economic and environmental change in Southeast Asia, focusing on the role of high technology and economic growth, urban environments, environmental planning, the environmental consequences of growth, and habitat conservation. Southeast Asia is a region of extraordinary contrasts where vibrant modern cities occupy a landscape of traditional communities, intensive farming, and spectacular natural habitats. The professors teaching this course come from three different fields of study, providing you with three distinct perspectives on the issues discussed in class. As a seminar, this course will provide you with many opportunities to discuss the issues and interact with your professors and peers. The course concludes with a two-week field study practicum to Singapore and Vietnam.
Required texts:
Vietnam Today: A Guide to a Nation at a Crossroads. Ashwill, 2005.
Thunder From The East. Kristof and WuDunn, 2000.
Course Goals:
Successful completion of this course will improve your ability to…
Field Experience: This course involves a field experience of approximately two weeks in Vietnam and Singapore. This is required of all students.
Course Grade:
Your grade for the course is based on four examinations, class participation, and a collaborative research project. Each is weighted as indicated below:
| Four exams (including final exam) | 60% |
| Research project | 15 % |
| Class participation | 25 % |
The exam format combines essay and short answer questions. Most questions come directly from class discussions so active involvement is crucial. Make-up exams will be given only in the rarest of circumstances (medical emergency, incarceration, etc). If a problem arises, please try to contact us before the exam.
Grade scale:
A = 93 % C = 73 %
A- = 90 C- = 70
B+ = 87 D+ = 67
B = 83 D = 63
B- = 80 D- = 60
C+ = 77 F = < 60
Class participation
Class participation is a major component of the course, both in-class and during the field study trip. This includes each of the following:
1) being prepared for and actively participating in all class discussions;
2) completing all reading assignments in a reflective and timely manner;
3) asking meaningful questions in class and during the field study trip;
4) contributing positively to the social dynamics of the group;
5) being prepared for and actively participating in the student panel discussions.
Written Research Project
For the semester research
project the class will be divided into teams of two students.
Each team will complete a clear, concise 7-page paper exploring
a major course theme with a clear connection to the field study
practicum (additional guidelines for the paper will be discussed
in class). A final version of this paper will be submitted when
we return from the field study practicum.
The qualities of a successful paper are outlined below:
Content
Topic development appropriate for assignment
Each major point supported by appropriate details
Solid conclusion that reinforces major points
Clear citation of sourcesOrganization and Effective Presentation
Central idea or major points clearly identified
Logical sequence of ideas
Effective use of visual aids (maps, diagrams, photos)
Attendance
Attendance is required at all class meetings. It is assumed that you will be on time for class (attendance is taken at the beginning of each class period). Each unexcused absence will count against your final course grade as follows:
1st absence = use it wisely
2nd absence = 3 points off
3rd absence = 6 points off
4th absence = 12 points off… etc.
Schedule of Activities:
January 19
Course introduction
January 24 and 26
Geography of Southeast Asia
Chapters 2, 3, 6, and 8 from Thunder From the East
January 30 and February 2
Southeast Asia History (from colonial era to present)
Chapters 12, 13, 14 from Thunder From the East
Vietnam Primer
Vietnam History Timeline
February 7 and 9
Snapshot 2006: Overview of current trends in the region
Teo Kah Beng, "Singapore in 2004: Vigilance amid Growing Uncertainty,"
Michael Montesano, "Vietnam in 2004: A Country Hanging in the Balance,"
A Reporter at Large - "A Nation of Contradictions"
(all on electronic reserve)
WTO Access for Vietnam
Food in Vietnam
February 14
Exam 1
February 16, 21 and 23
What is Sustainable Development?
What is Sustainability, Anyway?
An Overview of the Sustainable Development Concept (electronic reserve)
Chapters from Ecology and the Politics of Scarcity and Buddhist Economics are on e-reserve.
February 28 and March 2
Economic Change in Singapore and Vietnam
Basic background on Singapore
Comparative Economic Data
Singapore data
Comparative Economic Growth
Singapore Innovation Rankings
Notes on economic growth, economic development and sustainable developmentThe Competitve Advantage of Singapore: Transition To The Innovation Stage
Notes on economic growth, economic development and sustainable development
Vietnam Exports
David Dollar, Reform, Growth and Poverty in Vietnam (pp. 9-20)
Intel in Vietnam
March 7 and 9
Spring Break
March 14 and 16
Meeting the Challenge of China: Sustainable Economic Growth?
Manu Bhaskaran, "The Economic Impact of China and India on Southeast Asia," in SEA Affairs
March 21
Exam 2
March 23
Project Updates
March 28 and 30
Democracy in Singapore and Vietnam
Democracy in Vietnam?
Vietnamese Communism
Democracy in Asia
Beijing Censors Taken to Task in Party Circles
Turtle Holds on in Center of Vietnam's Capital
April 4 and 6
Environmental consequences of growth
Forests in Southeast Asia Fall to Prosperity's Ax
On e-reserve:
Richard Corlett, Vegetation
Sham Sani, Urban Pollution in Southeast Asia
Thomas Campenella, Transplanting the New Jersey Turnpike to China
April 11 and 13
Energy, water, and development
April 18
Exam 3
April 20
Student Panels
April 25 and 27
Contrasting Urban Environments: Singapore and Hanoi
May 2
Trip Planning
May 5
Final Exam
Notes on timing and economic development
Notes on high disk drive industry
Notes on semiconductor industry
W.G. Huff, "What is the Singapore Model of Economic Development?"
John Mathews, "A Silicon Island of the East: Creating a Semiconductor Industry in Singapore"
Wayne Arnold, "Singapore's Recovery Falls Off Pace"(visit Biopolis; semiconductor plant; DD plant; government economic planner)
Vietnam
The Politics of SOE Restructuring in Vietnam
Comparing Vietnam's and China's Rural Development
Haiphong and Ha Long Bay Development Issues
Vietnam as a Knowledge-Based Economy
Dollar, David. 2002. “Reform,
Poverty and Growth in Vietnam.”
Policy Research Working Paper 2837. World Bank, Washington,
D.C.
(visit plant in Hanoi; government economic planner)
III. Water
New water
Malaysia-Singapore relations
(Newwater plant; wetlands in Singapore; Nature Society of Singapore - Hydroponics; Singapore water technology firm: Hyflux, GrahamTek, Justpure Water, Singaport Cleanseas)Mekong River Delta
Red River
(wet rice farming; traditional and advanced farming; view Red River)
IV. Environmental and Political Consequences of Economic Growth
Is Vietnam's Environmental Future Like China's Present?
(trip to Haiphong)
Singapore's ecological footprint
(Environmental NGO; Singapore Environmental Council)
V. Comparative Urban Environments: Singapore and Hanoi
(visit Chinatown; talk to urban planner; port)
(urban planning agency; bus tour of Hanoi; visit Haiphong and HLB)
Recent Economic History of Malaysia
C.J. Philip, "Whither Malaysia's Silicon Island?
Richard Taylor and Meheroo Jussawalla, "Asian Technology Parks: Lessons for the 'Digital Divide' "
Notes on High Technology Develoment in Penang/Malaysia
Water Issues
Dominic Nathan, "With Water will Come more Fluid Bilateral Relations"
Asda Latif, "Water: A Toast to More Comfortable Bilateral Dealings"
Introducing newater
Ecological Footprints of Nations
The Future of Tropical Rain Forests