economic and development problems in africa 2012 semester 2
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Department of Economics
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Economic and Development Problems in Africa 2012Semester 2
Nicholas Spaull & Nico Katzke
A little bit about me…• Nicholas Spaull
• I’m a Christian
• I love to Travel
• Studied at UKZN / SUN / UCT
• Economics by profession (PhD...)
• Education by passion
• Office: Schumann 202
• NicholasSpaull@gmail.com • NicSpaull• nicspaull.wordpress.com______________________________Second half of the course: (proper intro in week 8) nicokatzke@sun.ac.za
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Admin
Course information3 American credits; 6 ECTS credits
Venue: Van der Sterr 1052(There will be a different venue on the following dates: 3 Sept, 8 Oct, 15 Oct - TBA)
Monday 14:00 – 17:00___________________________Evaluation3x MCQ tests 45%Group assignment 10%Essay: 40%Class participation: 5%
There will be no exam.**The above is subject to change
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The aim of this course is to get you to think critically about some of the major developmental issues facing Sub-Saharan Africa today.
Some caveats:• This is not a typical course• Multiple lecturers (incl. guest
lecturers)
But…• It will be interesting!• You will learn how to think and
you will learn about Africa (esp SA).
• More specifically…
What we want to accomplish in this course
Department of Economics
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Week 2 & 3 – Why is Africa poor?Economic and Development Problems in Africa
Johann Fourie
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Case study – Session 4 (still TBD)
Department of Economics
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Economic and Development Problems in South Africa and Africa
Session 5 – Understanding Foreign Aid
Department of Economics
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Economic and Development Problems in South Africa and Africa
Session 6 – Poverty and Inequality in SA
Department of Economics
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Economic and Development Problems in South Africa and Africa
Session 7 – Education in SA
?
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Topics to be addressed
• Session 8: • Development of financial markets in South
Africa• Lecturer: Nico Katzke (Financial Economics
lecturer, SU)
• Session 9: • The role of Social Media in the
development of the state and the economy, through the availability of information and ease of mass-communication• Lecturer: Dirk Bosman (Social media
researcher at Kalahari.com)
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Topics to be addressed
• Session 10: • Impact of the European Debt crisis on
Southern African economies• Lecturer: Prof. Rudolf Gous (Chief Economist at
Rand Merchant Bank, Director at RMB Holdings)
• Session11: • China’s role in the development of markets
in Southern Africa• Lecturer: Dr Daouda Cisse (accomplished
Research Fellowat the Centre for Chinese Studies-
Stellenbosch University)
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Topics to be addressed
• Session 12: • Developing and managing the public sector
in Southern Africa• Lecturer: Prof. Estian Calitz (Former Director-
General of Finance to the South African Government)
• Session 13: • Mining in South Africa: would the people
benefit from a nationalized mining sector?• Lecturer: Nico Katzke (Financial Economics
lecturer, SU)
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Summary of topics discussed:
• Development of financial sectors• Social media• China / Africa relations• Euro Debt crisis impact on Africa• Public economics (the state’s role
in development)• Mining and the on-going
Nationalization debate
Although certain finance / public economics topics
will be addressed in this section, you will in no way be disadvantaged if you do not possess a thorough background in these topics!
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• To think!!!!• To learn!
More specifically… Attendance! One essay One group assignment {no exam}My marking philosophy…
(9-10) inspired, (7-8) clever and interesting, (5-6) meets expectations, (3-4) below expectations, and (0-2) needs serious improvement.
What do I expect from you??
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You will be required to write one essay of approximately 6 pages which will be one of the following topics:
1. “Weighing the case of aid in Africa: Do the positives outweigh the negatives?”
2. “The state of education in South Africa – reason for hope or despair?”
3. “China’s emerging influence in Africa. Poison or Panacea?4. “Should South Africa adopt a strategy of investment
targeting?”
• Research Draft Discuss/consult Final
Essay?
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• Lectures
• Readings
• Podcasts (interviews and
videos)
• Case studies
• Class discussion (!)
Instructional method?
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Lowest GDP per head ($, 2008)
1. Burundi 1402. Congo-Kinshasa 1803. Liberia 2204. Guinea-Bisau 2705. Malawi 2906. Somalia 3007. Zimbabwe 3108. Ethiopia 3209. Eritrea 34010. Sierra Leone 350
Fastest growing cities (Total growth, 2010-15, %)
1. Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire 43.8
2. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso38.5
3. Lilongwe, Malawi28.9
4. Blantyre, Malawi28.8
5. Abuja, Nigeria28.4
6. Huambo, Angola26.1
7. Luanda, Angola26.0
Trivia• Longest river?• Biggest desert?• Top 8 countries most
economically dependent on agriculture (all African)
• Least literate, most AIDS deaths
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Questions to consider...
• Course resources – DVD + website
• Current affairs in SA – stay up to date by reading a local newspaper and watching the news
• Academic writing – Referencing is compulsory.
• Email addresses…
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Questions ???
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