ECON 258: African Economic Development Ghana

ECON 288 (4 credits)
3.5 weeks in Ghana
Professor Niels-Hugo Blunch

Through field trips and personal experiences in Ghana, you will obtain a first-hand experience on what "economic development" is - or could or should be - thus complementing the class readings and assignments, which are typically all that is included in a regular (on-campus) course. While the field trips are structured so as to provide a high likelihood of you obtaining such complementary experiences "by default" chances are that you will add to these experiences yourself, as well. Perhaps most significantly due to the fact that primary room and board will be in terms of homestays, so that you will experience first-hand what Ghanaian everyday life is really like!

More specifically, this course will present you with an intensive introduction to economic development in sub-Saharan Africa, with an emphasis on Ghana as a case study. The main part of the course is on location, in Ghana (about 3.5 weeks) - starting out with the first few days in Lexington for preparation, to help improve the time in Ghana. During the course there will be emphasis on the importance of health and education in economic development, especially the importance of educating girls and the potential importance of adult literacy programs in economic development in Ghana.

Prerequisite: ECON 101. Major/Minor Credit: Economics, Shepherd Poverty Program (after initial consultation with Professor Pickett and myself).

Program Fee (paid to W&L): $3,750. This fee includes airfare, ground transportation, homestay with breakfast and dinner, hotels (4or 5 nights) with breakfast and dinner, entrance fees, site visits, guest lectures etc.

Estimated Additional Expenses: $100 - visa, vaccines; $100 - pocket money.

Contact Professor Blunch at blunchn@wlu.edu for further information (incl. preliminary syllabus).