DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
ISP 200
SYLLABUS
Immigration, Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the American Economy
Winter 2011
Dr. Ibata-Arens
TTh 11:20 – 12:50
Department of Political Science
kibataar@depaul.edu
990 W. Fullerton 2209
773-325-4716
Course Description
This class will examine the core theories, actors and current and historical events in the
relationship between (and among) immigration, entrepreneurship and innovation in America,
paying close attention to the interplay between culture (defined and manifested in various ways,
including politically and economically) and ethnicity in multiculturalism. Emphasis will be
placed on the relationship among economic, political and social concerns of a number of ethnic
groups in the United States including Asian, African, and Latino/Hispanic Americans. As a point
of departure, key concepts, institutions and actors involved in the study of multiculturalism,
immigration, entrepreneurship and innovation (e.g. history of immigration and immigration
policy, “cluster culture”) will be reviewed. Readings provide a variety of perspectives on issues
involving the core topics of the course and these readings complement course lecture and
discussions. This course is writing intensive, and includes weekly essays (see Policy Briefs,
below) as well as a research paper. Students will be encouraged to incorporate what they learn in
class lectures and readings into discussion/debate sessions based on actual events relating to past
and current trends in the relationship between immigrants, entrepreneurs and innovation and
creativity in the American political economy.
Experiential Learning Component
We will be meeting outside of class times to travel to local incubators and to visit with
immigrant entrepreneurs. These trips will take about 3 hours, including travel time. This course
component is part of the participation grade as well as the research assignment.
Readings
Required book is available at Books in the City, 2428 N. Lincoln Avenue, Tel. (773) 472-2665.
Packet Readings (via D2L)
Stuart Anderson, “The Multiplier Effect”
Christopher J. Coyne and Peter Boettke, “Institutions, Immigration and Identity”, Global
Prosperity Initiative, Working Paper 61, Mercatus Center, George Mason University, 2005.
Thomas L. Friedman, The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century, New York:
Farrar, Srauss and Giroux, 2005. (chapter 8, “This is Not a Test”)
Richard Florida, “Creative Class War” Washington Monthly
John D. Gartner, The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (A Little) Craziness and (A Lot of)
Success in America, New York: Simon and Shuster, 2005 (selected excerpts)
Luis Eduardo Guarnizo Transnational Entrepreneurs: The Emergence and Determinants of an
Alternative Form of Immigrant Economic Adaptation (with Alejandro Portes and Willliam
Haller). American Sociological Review, vol 67:278-298, 2002.
Aida M. Harvey “Becoming Entrepreneurs: Intersections of Race, Class, and Gender at the Black
Beauty Salon” Gender and Society, .2005; 19: 789-808.
The Kauffman Foundation: selected reports, including “The Entrepreneur Next Door”,
“Minorities and Venture Capital: A New Wave in American Business”, “Minority-Owned
Business Face Difficult Challenges to Succeed in Global Business Environment”, “The New
Agenda for Minority Business Development”, “Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity”
(2004 – 2005)
Jennifer Lee, “Retail Niche Domination Among African-American, Jewish and Korean
Entrepreneurs” American Behavioral Scientist.
Sam Youl Lee, et. al. “Creativity and Entrepreneurship: A Regional Analysis of New Firm
Formation, Discussion Papers on Entrepreneurship, Growth and Public Policy, Max Planck
Institute or Research into Economic Systems, Group Entrepreneurship, Growth and Public
Policy, 2004.
Philippe Legrain, “Immigrants: Your Country Needs Them” (Chapter 4, “The Global Talent
Contest,” and Chapter 5, “Cosmopolitan and Rich: The Economic Benefits of Diversity” pp.
89-132), Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford, 2002.
Ivan Hubert Light, Race, Ethnicity and Entrepreneurship in Urban America Walter De Gruyter,
New York, 1995. (selected excerpts)
Philip Martin and Peter Duignan, “ Making and Remaking America: Immigration into the United
States”, Hoover Essays, Number 25, Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace,
Stanford University, 2003.
Mark C. Regets, “Research and Policy Issues in High-Skilled International Migration: A
Perspective With Data From the United States”, Discussion Paper Number 366, Institute for
the Study of Labor, 2001.
Michael J. Rosenfeld and Marta Tienda, “Impacts of Migration: Labor Market Implications of
Scale, Innovation and Entrepreneurship”
Lois Stevenson and Anders Londstrom, “Patterns and Trends in Practice of
SME/Entrepreneurship Policy in Ten Economies” Volume 3 of the Entrepreneurship Policy
for the Future Series, Swedish Foundation for Small Business Research, 2001.
Thomas L. Friedman, The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century, New York:
Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2005. (selected excerpts)
Peter C. Whybrow, American Mania: When More is Not Enough, New York: W. W. Norton,
2005 (selected excerpts)
Krissah Williams, “Immigrants a Driving Force Behind Start-Ups”
Requirements
Students will be evaluated based on classroom participation, attendance, policy briefs and a
research paper. Grading is as follows:
Policy Briefs
Attendance / Class participation
Research Paper / Business Plan
35%
30%
35%
Policy Briefs
Students will prepare daily 1.5 – 3 page Position Papers (typed, double-spaced, 12 point font) in
response to the readings of the day, which they will present in class. Policy Briefs should be
more than a summary of the main points of the readings. Instead, using the readings as a point of
departure, students should suggest a government policy that would help address the issues
brought up in the readings. Presentation of the main points and themes from Policy Briefs will be
used to stimulate classroom discussion and exchange of ideas. Presentations should conclude
with at least one critical question upon which discussion and debate may be stimulated. Students
must complete and present at least 5 (five) Policy Briefs (not including writing evaluation essay,
see below). Policy Briefs are due the first class meeting of each week. On the weeks that a
student is not presenting, he/she will be responsible for in-class critical commentary on the
Policy Briefs of colleagues. A sign-up sheet for Policy Briefs will be available in weeks one and
two.
Research Paper or Business Plan
The 10 page research paper will be on the theme of "case studies in entrepreneurship" and/ or "case
studies in innovation" and their relationship to multiculturalism in America. Ideally, students will
utilize interview case-study data on actual immigrant entrepreneurs for their papers. Interview data
will be supplemented with reference to academic literature on 1) the ethnic group of your subject
and 2) multiculturalism as it relates to innovation and entrepreneurship. Comparisons to other
countries are encouraged.
Students writing a business plan will, in consultation with resources available from (Blueprint,
etc) at the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center (DePaul Center), propose a new service or product
idea, in an ethnic context. This paper will be similar to a “pitch” for angel investors and other
venture capital. The business plan must be based on an analysis of the existing market and the
potential niche for the new service/product. For those students writing a business plan, the
research, citation, page and presentation requirements are the same as the research paper.
A one-page paper topic or business plan proposal (proposal and paper must be typed,
double-spaced, 12 point font, 1 inch margins) with a bibliography of 10 items in MLA or
Chicago Style format is due in the 4th week of class. A minimum of 8 page draft is due in the 7th
week of class (-5 points off paper grade per page less than 8). Students will give an oral
presentation based on their papers to the class in weeks 9 and 10.
Participation includes but is not limited to attendance, presentation of Policy Briefs,
debate/discussion, out-of-class research assignments and group projects.
There will be no make-ups of any assignment.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory. If you must miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain lecture notes
from a fellow student. One absence is allowed without penalty to the attendance/participation
grade. Any additional absence will significantly affect said grade. Roll will be called at the
beginning of each class meeting. If you are late, you will be marked absent. It is your
responsibility to notify the Professor – at the end of said class meeting - that you were merely
tardy, so that an adjustment can be made to the attendance record.
Writing Skills
Writing is a core component of political science courses. A writing assessment essay will be
assigned and graded early in week two. Students scoring below a C on this essay must obtain and
attend a weekly standing appointment at the Writing Center for the duration of the quarter.
Time Management
It is your responsibility to manage your time effectively for the requirements of this course. This
means sometimes that you must “compartmentalize” your life and not let personal issues
interfere with your academic performance. If personal issues (work, family illness, and so forth)
become overwhelming, you should seek the advice and counsel of experts in this area. For
example, students in this regard are encouraged to contact the University Counseling Service
(773-325-7779), which provides a variety of supports and programs for students experiencing
difficulties. If you are struggling with aspects of the materials presented in this course, you
should of course consult the Professor during office hours.
Requirements are subject to change. It is your responsibility to keep abreast of adjustments to the
syllabus and other items.
This course includes an experiential learning component (i.e. with local entrepreneurs and
business incubators). These activities will be held outside, i.e. in addition to, class time. We will
review the travel schedule during the first weeks of class.
Academic Integrity
Any student who is guilty of dishonesty in academic work may be suspended or excluded from the
University. It is expected that all materials submitted as part of any class exercise be the actual
work of the student whose name appears on the material. It is the responsibility of the faculty to
review all cases of academic dishonesty. See the Student Code for guidelines for Student Conduct
and what is considered plagiarism, for example.
Schedule
Students are expected to have completed all readings assigned prior to the week/day they are
listed in the syllabus and be prepared to participate in class discussions on the readings.
Week 1
Course Introduction
Core Constructs: Multiculturalism
Immigration, Immigrants, Entrepreneurship, Innovation
Tues
Course introduction
Thurs
Christopher J. Coyne and Peter Boettke, “Institutions, Immigration and Identity”, Global
Prosperity Initiative, Working Paper 61, Mercatus Center, George Mason University, 2005.
Kauffman Foundation Reports “Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity” and “The
Entrepreneur Next Door”
Week 2
The Economics of America as an Immigrant Society
Review of the history of immigration,
immigration policy and the economic impact of historical waves of
immigration in the United States
Tues
Philip Martin and Peter Duignan, “Making and Remaking America: Immigration into the United
States”, Hoover Essays, Number 25, Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace,
Stanford University, 2003.
Writing Evaluation Essay (applied to Policy Briefs grade)
Thurs
Meissner, Immigration and America’s Future, I. Executive Summary, Introduction, and Chapter
II: “Why is Immigration Important?” (pp.xiii–17).
John D. Gartner, The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (A Little) Craziness and (A Lot of)
Success in America, New York: Simon and Shuster, 2005 (chapter 1, The Hypomanic
American)
Week 3
Case Studies in Entrepreneurship
Immigrant and Minority Entrepreneurs: who are they and
what do they do?
Tues
Zulema Valdez, “Ethnic Entrepreneurship” Working Paper 63, November 2002, CCIS,
University of Southern California, San Diego.
Aida M. Harvey “Becoming Entrepreneurs: Intersections of Race, Class, and Gender at the Black
Beauty Salon” Gender and Society, .2005; 19: 789-808.
Thurs
Jennifer Lee, “Retail Niche Domination Among African-American, Jewish and Korean
Entrepreneurs” American Behavioral Scientist
Week 4
Case Studies in Innovation
Immigrant Innovators: Science and Engineering in America
Tues
Stuart Anderson, “The Multiplier Effect”
Krissah Williams, “Immigrants a Driving Force Behind Start-Ups”
Thurs
RESEARCH PAPER TOPIC PROPOSALS DUE
(1 page typed, outlining thesis, potential evidence plus 1 page 10 item bibliography)
Discussion of Research Topics
Week 5
21st Century America: Brain Drain or Brain Gain?
The role of immigration policy in a Post 9/11 World
Impact on international relations with other countries
(highlighting India and China)
Tues
Richard Florida, “Creative Class War” Washington Monthly
Thurs
Philippe Legrain, “Immigrants: Your Country Needs Them. Ch. 4: (The Global Talent Contest);
Ch. 5: (Cosmopolitan and Rich: The Economic Benefits of Diversity). pp. 89-132.
Week 6
Debating Theories: “The World is Flat” versus “Cluster Culture”
(Are multicultural regions more innovative?)
Tues
Thomas L. Friedman, The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century, New York:
Farrar, Srauss and Giroux, 2005. (chapter 8, “This is Not a Test”)
Thurs
Sam Youl Lee, et. al. “Creativity and Entrepreneurship: A Regional Analysis of New Firm
Formation, Discussion Papers on Entrepreneurship, Growth and Public Policy, Max Planck
Institute or Research into Economic Systems, Group Entrepreneurship, Growth and Public
Policy, 2004.
Week 7
High skill labor, low skill labor and rising competition over
“space” and “place”
Perception and Reality:
Mexican immigrants and their economic impact
Tues
Michael J. Rosenfeld and Marta Tienda, “Impacts of Migration: Labor Market Implications of
Scale, Innovation and Entrepreneurship”
Thurs
Luis Eduardo Guarnizo Transnational Entrepreneurs: The Emergence and Determinants of an
Alternative From of Immigrant Economic Adaptation (with Alejandro Portes and Willliam
Haller). American Sociological Review, vol 67:278-298, 2002.
Mark C. Regets, “Research and Policy Issues in High-Skilled International Migration: A
Perspective With Data From the United States”, Discussion Paper Number 366, Institute for
the Study of Labor, 2001.
RESEARCH PAPER First DRAFTS DUE
(MANDATORY, -10 for each 24 hours late, minimum 10 pages plus 10+ item bibliography,
paginate document, -5 points for missing page numbers)
Paper feedback session
Week 8
America in Comparative Context
Israel: high risk, high return society
Ireland: national policy and reversing the “brain drain”
Other countries TBA
Tues
Lois Stevenson and Anders Londstrom, “Patterns and Trends in Practice of
SME/Entrepreneurship Policy in Ten Economies” Volume 3 of the Entrepreneurship Policy
for the Future Series, Swedish Foundation for Small Business Research, 2001.
Light and Rosenstein, chapter 6 “Immigrant Entrepreneurs” chapter 7 “Rethinking
Entrepreneurship
Thurs
Research paper presentation: group preparations
Week 9
Paper Presentations/Discussion
Week 10
Conclusions
Paper Presentations/Discussion
10 Page Paper Due Last Day of Class