TROY UNIVERSITY
MASTER SYLLABUS
SORRELL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
ECO 4455
Comparative Economic Systems
Prerequisites
ECO 2251 or ECO 2252.
Description
An analysis of the economic systems of capitalism and socialism focusing upon how a multitude
of specific nations in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, such as the United States, Mexico,
Germany, Poland, Japan, and China, et al., arrange and conduct economic affairs in the 21st
century.
Objectives
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Outline and explain the government modification of capitalism since WWII in the US and
selected countries.
2. Explain the development, operation, and limitations of socialism and communism, both
theoretically and historically, including the USSR and PRC.
3. Make an informed appraisal of the performance of the US economy.
4. Describe the planning functions and state ownership characteristics of mixed capitalistic
systems, including Japan and Germany.
5. Contrast centrally planned and free-market economic systems, and discuss the difficulties
inherent in transitioning from the former to the latter, both theoretically and historically,
including the USSR, PRC, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.
6. Describe the common characteristics of less developed and developing economies.
7. List and describe the unique characteristics of the economic systems of the PRC, Mexico,
and India as they exist today.
8. Compare, contrast, and explain the functioning of the EU and NAFTA.
Master Syllabi are developed by the senior faculty in each business discipline. This Master Syllabus must be used as the basis for developing the
instructor syllabus for this course, which must also comply with the content specifications outlined in the Troy University Faculty Handbook.
The objectives included on this Master Syllabus must be included among the objectives on the instructor’s syllabus, which may expand upon the
same as the instructor sees fit. The statement of purpose seeks to position the course properly within the curriculum and should be consulted by
faculty as a source of advisement guidance. Specific choice of text and other details are further subject to Program Coordinator guidance.
19 April 2011
Master Syllabus: ECO 4455 (Revised August 2013)
2
Purpose
To provide an overview of the institutions and operations of contrasting economic systems. The
course will examine specific countries with respect to the mixture of central and market planning
mechanisms to allocate resources and produce and distribute goods and services. Students taking
this elective should already have satisfied all of their 3000-level core and specified-elective
requirements. This is an unspecified elective course.
Approved Texts
Rosefielde, S. (current). Comparative economic systems: Culture, Wealth and Power in the 21st
Century. Blackwell.
Rosser, J. B., & Rosser, M. V. (current). Comparative Economics in a Transforming World
Economy. MIT Press.
Schnitzer, M. C. (current). Comparative Economic Systems (8th ed.). Thomson/South-Western.
Supplements
As deemed appropriate.
Troy University Faculty Handbook (2010): Section 3.9.2.8 [extract] — essential elements of the syllabus (somewhat modified for space):
1. Course title
2. Course number +
section
3. Term
4. Instructor
5. Prerequisites
6. Office hours
7. Class days, times
8. Classroom
location
9. Office location +
e-mail address
10. Office telephone
11. Course
description,
objectives
12. Text(s)
13. Other materials
14. Grading methods, 16. General supports
criterion weights,
(computer works,
make-up policy,
writing center)
mid-term grade
17. Daily assignments,
reports
holidays, add/drop
15. Procedure, course
& open dates, dead
requirements
day, final exam
18. ADA statement
19. Electronic device
statement
20. Additional
services,
statements
21. Absence policy
22. Incomplete-work
policy
23. Cheating policy
24. Specialization
requirements
(certification,
licensure, teacher
competencies)