This document outlines the syllabus for an economics course on the world economy taught at USC. The course will focus on issues in global energy, international trade and technology transfer, and economic growth and convergence among nations. Students will read two required texts and complete four exams, one term paper, and an in-class presentation of their paper. The course will cover topics such as the global energy problem, international trade and finance, economic development and the convergence of per capita incomes globally.

1. SYLLABUS (SPRING 2013) ECONOMIC 350: THE WORLD ECONOMHY
(26116R)MW 2.OO – 3:50 P.M.
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS, UNIV. OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
PROF. NAKE M. KAMRANY, J.D., Ph.D. (kamrany@usc.edu) LECTURE ROOM: KAP 156
OFFICE: KAP 324 D TELEPHONE: CEL: 310 740-2022 OFFICE HOURS: MW: 12:30 – 1:30 (OR BY
APPOINTMENT) ----------------------------------------------------------------
I. COURSE OBJECTIVES- The objective of this course is to address a few major world
political economic issues that transcend national boundaries, time horizon, disciplines, and
methodologies. The following world economic issues will be the focus in this course.
A. Issues in Global Energy
B. Issues in international trade, finance and transfer of technologies
C. Economic growth, development, global convergence of low and middle income
countries to rich countries and the role of population fertility in this process
II. TEXTS
A. REQUIED TEXTs:
1. KAMRANY, NAKE M. AND GEORGI VASSILEV, GLOBAL INCOME CONVERGENCE
AMONG NATIONS IN THE 21ST CENTURY (2013). USC BOOKSTORE,
USC CUSTOM PUBLISHING, PRODUCED BY
CRESTEE LOS ANGELES INC.
2. KAMRANY, NAKE M. (2013) , USC The Global Energy Problem (2013),
Energy Alternatives for the United states, USC BOOK SORE, UNIVERSITY
OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CUSTOM PUBLISHING.
B. RECOMMENDED
1. Hulsemeyer, axel, International Political Economy, Oxford University Press, 2919.
2. Reinert, Erik S. How Rich Countries Got Rich and Why Poor Countries Stay Poor,
Public Affairs, 2007.
III. EXAMINATION AND COURSE GRADES – ABSOLUTE SCALE
COURSE GRADE WILL CONSIST OF FOUR EXAMINATIONS AND ONE TERM PAPER
INCLUDING CLASS PRESENTATION OF YOUR TERM PAPER. EACH EXAM COUNTING 20%.
IF YOUR PAPER GETS PUBLISHED YOU WILL RECEIVE AN AUTOMATIC A- IN THE COURSE.
ABSOLUTELY NO MAKE-UP EXAMINATION WILL BE OFFERED. IF AN EXAM IS MISSED
FOR A LEGITIMATE EXCUSE COURSE GRADE WILL BE BASED ON EXAMS TAKEN PLUS TEM
PAPE AND CLASS PRESENTATION

2. 93+ A
90 – 92 A-
87 – 89 B+
83 – 86 B
80 - 82 B-
77 – 79 C+
73 – 76 C
70 – 72 C_
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67 – 69 D+
63 – 66 D
60 – 62 D-
BELOW 60 F
PLEASE NOTE: Your term paper must deal with per capita income of a low or middle
income country to that of the U.S. level. Please select your country in consultation with
the instructor. Other topics related to world economy may be considered in
consultation with instructor.
Plagiarism and purchase of term paper will be treated the same as cheating. It is strictly
prohibited and the University policy on the matter will be strictly enforced. To
plagiarize, according to Webster’s dictionary means, to steal or purloin and pass off as
one’s own the ideas, word, writings and thoughts of another.
Students are required to read assignments before the scheduled class meetings.
Students must be class on time and no one is permitted to leave the class room during
lectures barring emergency. Please make use of the office hours or make appointment
for alternative times if there is a conflict in your schedule.
IV. SCHEDULE OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

3. 1/14/13 INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE, STRUCTURE OF POLITICAL ECONOMY,
THE WEIGHTED WORTH APPROACH
1/16/13 THE ENERGY PROBLEM, KAMRAN CH. 1.2 &3
1/21/13 UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY – MARTIN LUTHERN KING, JR. DAY
1/23/13 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOLVING THE ENERGY PROBLEM, SELECTION
IN KAMRANY’S BOOK, CH. 4, 5, 6
1/28/13 IS SOLAR ENERGY THE ANSWER? CLASS NOTGES HANDOUT
1/30/13 REVIEW OF ENERGY ALTERNATIVES, CHAPTERS 7-15
2/4/13 FIRST EXAMINATION
2/6/13 INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCE, HANDOUT, BLACK BOARD
2/11/13 INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCE. HANDOUT, BLACKBOARD
2/13/13 INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCE, HANDOUT, BLACK BOARD
2/18/13 HOLIDAY, PRESIDENT’S DAY
2/20/13 2007-2009 GREAT RECESSIO, MICHAEL INTRILAGATOR, BLACKBOARD
2/25/13 EVOLVING GLOBAL POLIOTICAL ECONOMY STRUCTURE, HANDOUT,
BLACKBOARD
2/27/13 TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY, HANDOUT, BLACKBOARD
3/4/13 REVIEW
3/6/13 SECOND EXMINATION
3/11/12 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONVERGENCE OF PER CAPITA INCOME
KAMRANY, GLOBAL INCOME CONFERGENCE, PART ONE

4. 3/13/13 CONTINUED, PART ONE
3/18/13 – 3/22/13 SPRING RECESS
3/25/13 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONVERGENCE OF PER CAPITA
INCOME, KAMRANY, GLOBAL INCOME CONFERGENCE, PART TWO
CLASS PRESENTATIONS WILL BE SCHEDULED
3/27/13 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONVERGENCE OF PER CAPITA
INCOME, KAMRANY, GLOBAL INCOME CONFERGENCE, PART ONE, TWO, & THREE
4/1/13 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONVERGENCE OF PER CAPITA
INCOME, KAMRANY, GLOBAL INCOME CONFERGENCE, PART FOUR
4/3/13 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONVERGENCE OF PER CAPITA
INCOME, KAMRANY, GLOBAL INCOME CONFERGENCE, PART FOUR
4/8/13 REVIEW
4/10/13 THIRD EXAMINATION
4/15/13 CLASS PRESENTATIONS
4/17/13 CLASS PRESENTATIONS
4/22/13 CLASS PRESENTATIONS
4/24/13 CLASS PRESENTATIONS
4/29/13 CLASS PRESENTATIONS
5/1/13 REVIEW
5/13/13 FINAL EXAM. 2 P.M. – 4 P.M.
TA: XIAO FU E-MAIL: XIAOFU@USC.EDU

5. Note: Student requesting accommodation, please see instructor and call DSP office at 213
740- 0776.