The campolo college of graduate and professional
studies at eastern University
Promoting the Integration of Faith, Reason, and Justice
Course Syllabus
Course Number and Title: EDEV 695 Introduction to Microfinance
Academic Program(s):
School or Department:
Semester or term:
MA International Development
School of Leadership and Development
Summer 1, 2010
Instructor and contact:
Lindy Backues, PhD: lbackues@eastern.edu
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 2
EDEV 695: Introduction to Microfinance
Course Description
The goal of the course is to help the student gain a practical understanding of the fundamental
concepts of microfinance, assessing customer needs and expectations; designing new products and
delivery mechanisms; the various lending methodologies; the debate around regulation and
supervision; assessing the quality of the portfolio; gauging financial viability; addressing governance
and cultivating effective donor relations. Finally, all of this will be attempted with an eye toward
assessing the theological importance and relevance of microfinance when attempted from a
Christian vantage point.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you should:









Be able to understand the manner in which microfinance can assist in the Christian mandate
to serve and empower the poor
Be acquainted with the 'Relative Characteristics of Enterprise Assistance Program Models'
template, especially in relation to its potential for providing a working taxonomy for
analyzing microfinance models
Be acquainted with the poverty pyramid and its relevance to microfinance
Be able to differentiate between poverty lending and micro enterprise lending and the unique
design features for each
Be acquainted with the history and development of the concept of microfinance
Be able to read and understand income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and
related financial ratios as these relate to microfinance concerns
Have a general understanding of the means and importance of measuring the impact of
microfinance programs
Be acquainted with what is involved in managing a microfinance concern
Understand how commercialization is affecting the development of microfinance programs
Course site Information: Eastern University uses the Blackboard Learning Platform for the elearning environment for this course. Using your Eastern University username and password, you
can access the site for this course at http://eastern.blackboard.com.
Smarthinking Tutorial Assistance: The instructor for this course must assume that all students
are appropriately prepared for the level of instruction appropriate for the course number and
placement in the academic program. Students requiring or desiring additional academic support or
preparation may utilize the Smarthinking system. This system of online tutorials, including writing
assistance, can be accessed directly from the online coursesite (use “Tools” feature).
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 3
Required Books
Buzzard, Shirley and Elaine Edgcomb. 1987. Monitoring and Evaluating Small Business Projects:
A Step by Step Guide for Private Development Organizations. PACT, New York (an electronic copy
of this book is posted at Blackboard).
2. Kindervatter, Suzanne. 1987. Doing a Feasibility Study: Training Activities for Starting or Reviewing
a Small Business. OEF International, Washington, D.C. (an electronic copy of this book is
posted at Blackboard).
3. Ledgerwood, Joanna. 2001. Microfinance Handbook: An Institutional and Financial Perspective.
World Bank Publications, Washington, D.C.
4. Collins, Daryl, Jonathan Morduch, Stuart Rutherford and Orlanda Ruthven. 2009. Portfolios of
the Poor: How the World's Poor Live on $2 a Day. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New
Jersey.
1.
Class Attendance
Regular attendance and informed participation in classroom discussion are essential to the
completion of the course. It is expected that you will attend all classes and come prepared to
discuss the readings for that class, and that you will bring your Bible to class. Since being late to
class causes a disruption for other students, the instructor expects you to be in class on time. If, for
some reason, a situation that merits missing class presents itself, you must receive prior approval
from the professor. Absences without prior approval by the instructor, with the exception of cases
of an emergency, will be the basis for a reduction in grade.
Evaluated Learning Activities
This course is designed primarily around a seminar format, and will be a combination of lecture and
discussion.
Grading for this course will be based upon written assignments and student participation. Find
these two components described below:
Written Assignments
In terms of regular term written assignments, students have two choices for this course (a clear
choice must be made from these two options at the beginning of the term – there will be no midcourse adjustments allowed in relation to this choice.) Such a choice is offered in order to maximize
student learning in the course, since it is realized that student context, personality, and intellectual
interest are all variables at play in determining what activities would best maximize your own
opportunity to learn in this course.
Option 1 – A 6-Step, ‘Virtual/Mock’ Microfinance Project
Students may work through a 6-step process of designing a ‘virtual’ microfinance project.
This assignment will be undertaken utilizing Buzzard and Edgcomb’s ‘Monitoring and
Evaluating Small Business Projects: A Step by Step Guide for Private Development
Organizations’ as a guide.
With this option, the grade for the course will be assigned based upon (1) a series of
workbook assignments (each worth 8% of your grade and thus, together, they constitute
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 4
56% of the final grade.), (2) a final wrap-up summary paper/project (the final paper is worth
24% of the final grade), and (3) a participation score. Details of these two components are
as follows:
Workbook Assignments (scattered throughout the term): One of the objectives for this
course is for students to come out possessing practical data and introductory
understanding in order to be equipped to create a business plan or a strategic plan,
one aimed at inaugurating a microfinance concern. Thus, by choosing this option
you will need to submit 7short to moderate-length assignments, each based upon a
separate aspect of microfinance design. Apart from the initial assignment which
focuses upon theological considerations, the other 6 assignments center on the 6
steps found in Buzzard and Edgcomb’s ‘Monitoring and Evaluating Small Business
Projects: A Step by Step Guide for Private Development Organizations’; however,
realize that your design for each step also should be informed by the assigned
readings accompanying that particular unit. These papers are due by the morning of
the following class time after they are assigned.
Final Assignment: The final assignment for this option is a summation/wrap-up paper
that integrates and brings together findings from your previous 7 short paper
assignments. Utilizing the Master Plan Worksheet as found in Buzzard and
Edgcomb on pages 8-11, you should summarize your results after working through
steps 1-6. You should also attempt to incorporate any theological insights or
implications you deem important for the operation of your proposed microfinance
program. You do not need to slavishly adhere to the format of Master Plan
Worksheet , but you must cover all of the components addressed therein. This
paper should be no more than 15 pages in length and must be submitted no later
than a week after our last class together.
Participation: For those choosing this option, class participation will figure into the
final grade – so, for persons who tend to be quiet, you need to be prepared to speak
up. Also, for those who tend to dominate discussions, that, too, could adversely
affect your grade. Seek balance and community learning. A participation score will
account for 20% of your grade.
Option 2 – A 5-Step, Real-Life Small Business Training Project in South Philadelphia
Students may take part in an actual 5-step training process for would-be small business
persons in South Philadelphia. In order to implement this project, we will utilize Suzanne
Kindervatter’s ‘Doing a Feasibility Study: Training Activities for Starting or Reviewing a
Small Business’. Such a project will require participating students to be present and active
for each and every one of the 5-hour training sessions over the course of five (5) weekends
(this will usually mean Sundays, but we will work out the schedule at the very beginning of
our time together in this course.) Travel to and from the site of training is the responsibility
of each of the students choosing this option (the training will take place at PPC, an
Indonesian/Hispanic Mennonite Church in South Philly.) Timeliness and faithful
discharging of duties should figure highly for the student in this option.
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 5
For those who opt for this project, the grade for the course will be assigned based upon (1)
five 1-2 page reflection papers, each focusing sequentially upon a particular 5-hour training
session (the papers are due by the class time directly following the training session in
question – this will almost always be the following Tuesday.) Each of these reflections will
be worth 4% of the student’s final grade and thus, together, they will make up 28% of the
final grade (note in the class schedule that the initial paper will be a theological reflection
assigned before the feasibility training program commences; therefore, there will be six
reflection papers in all), and (2) a final, wrap-up summary paper/project (this final paper will
be worth 22% of the student’s final grade), and (3) a participation grade, worth 50% of the
final grade. Details of these components are as follows:
Workbook Assignments (scattered throughout the term): Writing and submitting reflection
assignments serves two functions in relation to microfinance when weighing it as a
possible development practice intervention: first, students will gain a better insight
into the role and usefulness of training in microfinance programs. Second, the
student will better understand what is involved in establishing and running a microbusiness. Thus, it is expected that these reflections will induce significant reflection
in relation to each of the five training sessions, assisted by whatever readings are due
at the time. As stated above, there is also an introductory, initial reflection paper
which focuses specifically upon theological implications of microfinance and design
factors (this is indicated in the class schedule below.) Once again, as a whole these
papers will constitute 28% of the final grade.
Final Assignment: The final assignment for this option is a summation/wrap-up paper
that integrates your experience while participating in and helping to lead the five
training sessions, your readings, and your reflection papers. In the process, the paper
needs to critically examine both (a) the proper place of training and technical
assistance in microfinance delivery as well as (b) the usefulness of that specific model
we are using, i.e., Suzanne Kindervatter’s ‘Doing a Feasibility Study: Training
Activities for Starting or Reviewing a Small Business’. The student should also
attempt to incorporate any theological insights or implications deemed important for
the operation of a training program such as this. This paper should be no more than
15 pages in length and must be submitted no later than a week after our last class
together. As stated above, this paper will constitute 22% of the final course grade.
Participation: For those who choose this option, not only will class participation figure
into the final grade, but so will involvement in the on-site training sessions in South
Philadelphia. And since these training sessions play such a critical role in achieving
the learning outcomes in relation to this option, the participation score will account
for 50% of the final course grade.
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 6
The grading scale utilized for this course is as follows:
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CF
Grading Scale
Points Percentages
> 4.9
>98%
4.7 – 4.9 94% - 98%
4.4 – 4.7 88% - less than 94%
4.1 – 4.4 82% - less than 88%
3.8 - 4.1 76% - less than 82%
3.5 - 3.8 70% - less than 76%
3.2 - 3.5 64% - less than 70%
2.8 – 3.2 56% - less than 64%
2.2 – 2.8 44% - less than 56%
< 2.2
<44%
In addition, I make use of a rubric to score your papers. That rubric is comprised of the following
components:
50%-Content (adequate description and reflection on your ideas and thoughts)
10%-Gramatical Form (spelling and sentence structure)
40%-Incorporation and integration of course materials and text (including terminology).
A composite grade of ‘5’ essentially constitutes an A, a ‘4’ constitutes a B, and a ‘3’ constitutes a C.
Course Outline and Readings
May 18, Tues. (Class #1), 3:00pm-7:00pm: Poverty and Microfinance
1. Backues, Lindy. “Potential Microfinance Missteps” Unpublished Paper (posted on
Blackboard)
2. Backues, Lindy. 2009. “The Incarnation as Motif for Development Practice” in Darrell L.
Whiteman and Gerald H. Anderson, editors, World Mission in the Wesleyan Spirit, Franklin,
Tennessee: Providence House Publishers.
3. Ledgerwood, Joanna. 1998. Microfinance Handbook, An Institutional and Financial Perspective,
Washington, D.C., World Bank: Chapters 1 and 2 (up through page 46, stopping at Impact
Analysis)
Options 1 & 2 – Assignment 1: Submit a 2-3 page paper addressing the theological questions
for this class period (those theological questions are posted at Blackboard)
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 7
May 20, Thurs. (Class #2), 3:00pm-7:00pm: The History of Microfinance
1. “The History of Microfinance”, www.globalenvision.org/library/4/1051, posted by Global
Envision: April 14, 2006, accessed: May 17, 2010 (also posted on Blackboard)
2. Seibel, Hans Dieter, “Does History Matter? The Old and the New World of Microfinance in
Europe and Asia”, paper presented at From Moneylender to Microfinance: Southeast Asia's
Credit Revolution in Institutional, Economic and Cultural Perspective An Interdisciplinary
Workshop, Asia Research Institute, Department of Economics, and Department of
Sociology National University of Singapore 7-8 October 2005, accessed: May 17, 2010,
http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document1.9.29698/29667_file_Does_History_Matter.pdf (also posted on Blackboard)
3. “Microfinance Resources”, www.globalenvision.org/library/4/1052, posted by Global
Envision: April 14, 2006, accessed: May 17, 2010 (also posted on Blackboard)
4. “The Bottom Line for Microfinance”, www.globalenvision.org/library/4/1841, posted by
Global Envision: January 4, 2008, accessed: May 17, 2010 (also posted on Blackboard)
Option 1 – Assignment 2: Work through Buzzard and Edgcomb, Monitoring and Evaluating
Small Business Projects: A Step by Step Guide for Private Development Organizations. Step 1 (utilizing the
discussion questions on pages 22-24); submit your results to the instructor.
May 25, Tue. (Class #3), 3:00pm-7:00pm: Lessons from the Informal Sector
1. Collins, Daryl, Jonathan Morduch, Stuart Rutherford and Orlanda Ruthven. 2009. Portfolios of
the Poor: How the World's Poor Live on $2 a Day. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New
Jersey
2. Christen, Robert Peck, “What Microenterprises Credit programs can learn from the
Moneylenders” (posted on Blackboard)
3. Rutherford, Stuart. 1999. “The Poor and Their Money: An Essay about Financial Services
for Poor People.” DFID, London, accessed: May 17, 2010,
http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document-1.9.28437/1737_01737.pdf (also
posted on Blackboard)
Additional (supplemental) readings:
1. MicroSave briefings, Sep 2001: “Informal Sector Finance Systems: What the
Microfinance Industry can Learn from Them.”
http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document1.9.26634/26194_file_Informal_Financial_.pdf, accessed: May 17, 2010
2. Johnson, Susan and Rogaly, Ben. 1997. “Microfinance and poverty reduction,
development guidelines.” An Oxfam publication: Chapter 2: Informal Financial Services
Option 1 – Assignment 3: Work through Buzzard and Edgcomb, Monitoring and Evaluating
Small Business Projects: A Step by Step Guide for Private Development Organizations. Step 2 (utilizing the
worksheets on pages 29-36); submit your results to the instructor.
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 8
Option 2 – Assignment 2: Submit a reflection paper focused upon the activities of Day One of
the Kindevatter manual (WHY DO A FEASIBILITY STUDY? and STEP ONE: CHOOSE A
PRODUCT OR SERVICE TO SELL)
May 27, Thur. (Class #4), 3:00pm-7:00pm: Microfinance Products and Services
1. Backues, Lindy “Microcredit Schemes – Some Important Considerations”, Unpublished
Paper (posted on Blackboard)
2. Ledgerwood, Joanna. 1998. Microfinance Handbook, An Institutional and Financial Perspective,
Washington, D.C., World Bank, Chapters 3, 4 & 6
3.
Westley, Glenn D. 2004 “Village Banking: Joining the Mainstream.” Microenterprise
Development Review, 7(1):1-5, accessed: May 17, 2010,
http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document1.9.26634/26194_file_Informal_Financial_.pdf (also posted on Blackboard)
4. Harper Malcolm, 2002. “Grameen Bank Groups and Self-Help Groups: What are the
Differences?” ITDG Publishing, London, accessed: May 17, 2010,
http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document-1.9.27267/3249.pdf (also posted on
Blackboard)
Additional (supplemental) readings:
1. Westley, G. 2004. “A Tale of Four Village Banking Programs: Best Practices in Latin
America.” Inter American Development Bank: Sustainable Development Department Best
Practices Series, accessed: May 17, 2010,
http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document1.9.27393/22782_VB_BPP_FINAL.doc
2. Jeffrey Ashe (Oxfam America). “Banking on the Poor: Saving and Lending groups for the
Poor”, , accessed: May 17, 2010, http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document1.9.26795/69.pdf
Option 1 – Assignment 4: Work through Buzzard and Edgcomb, Monitoring and Evaluating
Small Business Projects: A Step by Step Guide for Private Development Organizations. Step 3 (utilizing the
worksheets on pages 41-44); submit your results to the instructor.
June 1, Tue., (Class #5), 3:00pm-7:00pm: Training and Technical Assistance
1.
Karlan, Dean and Martin Valdivia. 2006. “Teaching Entrepreneurship: Impact of Business
Training on Microfinance Clients and Institutions.” Paper published under ‘ Economic
Growth Center’, Yale University, accessed: May 17, 2010,
http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document-1.9.27305/32602_file_67.pdf (also
posted on Blackboard)
2. Tendler, Judith. 1989. “What Ever Happened to Poverty Alleviation?” World Development
17(7):1033-1044, accessed: May 17, 2010,
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 9
http://ponpo.som.yale.edu/docs/tendler_whatever_happened_89.pdf (also posted on
Blackboard)
3. Nelson, Candace. “Fostering Entrepreneurship through Training and Technical Assistance”,
accessed: May 17, 2010, http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document1.9.29188/44007.pdf (also posted on Blackboard)
4. Christopher Dunford. n.d. “Building Better Lives: Sustainable Integration of Microfinance
with Education in Child Survival, Reproductive Health, and HIV/AIDS Prevention for the
Poorest Entrepreneurs”, accessed: May 17, 2010,
http://www.microcreditsummit.org/papers/chapter2.html (also posted on Blackboard)
Additional (supplemental) readings:
1. Hatch, John, Sara Levine and Amanda Penn. 2002. “Innovations from the field: a daringly
brief summary of a huge phenomenon”, accessed: May 17, 2010,
http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document-1.9.28160/3311_file_03311.pdf
5. Cheston, Susy, Kuhn, Lisa. 2002. “Empowering Women through Microfinance.” Paper
submitted in Microcredit summit campaign (also chapter 4 in the Book ‘Pathways out of
poverty, edited by Sam Daley Harris- 2002), accessed: May 17, 2010,
http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document-1.9.26698/40.pdf
Option 2 – Assignment 3: Submit a reflection paper focused upon the activities of Day Two of
the Kindevatter manual (STEP TWO: FIND OUT IF PEOPLE WILL BUY YOUR
PRODUCT OR SERVICE and STEP THREE: DETERMINE HOW THE BUSINESS WILL
OPERATE)
June 10, Thur. (Class #6), 3:00pm-7:00pm: Understanding Financial Statements in Relation
to Microfinance
1. Ledgerwood, Joanna. 1998. Microfinance Handbook, An Institutional and Financial Perspective,
Washington, D.C., World Bank, Chapters 5 & 8
2. The Mix Market Financial Terms Glossary: http://www.mixmarket.org/en/glossary,
accessed: May 17, 2010
Option 1 – Assignment 5: Work through Buzzard and Edgcomb, Monitoring and Evaluating
Small Business Projects: A Step by Step Guide for Private Development Organizations. Step 4 (by choosing
financial indicators on pages 48-59; then, write a 2-5 page paper, listing which indicators you
plan to use, with a rationale for each); submit your results to the instructor.
Option 2 – Assignment 4: Submit a reflection paper focused upon the activities of Day Three
of the Kindevatter manual (STEP FOUR: CALCULATE BUSINESS EXPENSES - Part 1)
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 10
June 15, Tue. (Class #7), 3:00pm-7:00pm: Impact Assessment
1. Ledgerwood, Joanna. 1998. Microfinance Handbook, An Institutional and Financial
Perspective, Washington, D.C., World Bank: Chapter 2
2. USAID, Poverty Assessment Tools, http://www.povertytools.org, accessed: May 17, 2010
3. Simonowitz, Anton. “Ensuring Impact: Reaching the Poorest while Building Financially
Self-Sufficient Institutions, and Showing Improvement in the Lives of the Poorest Women
and Their Families”, http://www.microcreditsummit.org/papers/chapter1.html, accessed:
May 17, 2010
Option 1 – Assignment 6: Work through Buzzard and Edgcomb, Monitoring and Evaluating
Small Business Projects: A Step by Step Guide for Private Development Organizations. Step 5 (by working
through the check list on page 64, choosing social impact tools appropriate to your envisioned
microfinance design as a result; then, write a 2-5 page paper, listing which indicators you plan to
use, with a rationale for each); submit your results to the instructor.
Option 2 – Assignment 5: Submit a reflection paper focused upon the activities of Day Four
of the Kindevatter manual (STEP FOUR: CALCULATE BUSINESS EXPENSES - Part 2 and
STEP FIVE: ESTIMATE SALES INCOME)
June 17, Thur. (Class #8), 3:00pm-7:00pm: Governance and Regulation
1. Rachel Rock, Mario Otero and Sonia Saltzman. 1998. “Principles and Practices of
Microfinance Governance.” Accion International, (a USAID best practices paper)
http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document-1.9.26842/1229_01229.pdf, accessed:
May 17, 2010 (also posted on Blackboard)
2. Richard Rosenberg and Robert Peck Christen. 2000. “The Rush to Regulate: Legal
Framework for Microfinance.” April 2000, CGAP’s Occasional paper #04
http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document-1.9.29206/1743_073.pdf, accessed:
May 17, 2010 (also posted on Blackboard)
3. Women’s World Banking. 2002. “Policies, Regulations and Systems that Promote
Sustainable Financial Services to the Poor and the Poorest.”
http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document-1.9.25172/220.pdf, accessed: May 17,
2010 (also posted on Blackboard)
Additional (supplemental) readings:
“Microfinance Regulation in Seven Countries: A Comparative Study.” 2006. Contributed
by Patrick Meagher, Laros Campos, Robert Peck Christen, Kate Druschel, Joselito Gallardo,
Sumantoro Artowijoyo – IRIS Center, University of Maryland, May 2006, accessed: May 17,
2010, http://www.microfinancegateway.org/gm/document-1.9.24382/26.pdf
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 11
Micro-Credit Ratings International Limited. 2006. “Existing Legal and Regulatory
Framework for the Microfinance Institutions in India: Challenges and Implications”,
accessed: May 17, 2010, http://www.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/32966
Option 1 – Assignment 7: Work through Buzzard and Edgcomb, Monitoring and Evaluating
Small Business Projects: A Step by Step Guide for Private Development Organizations. Step 6 (by working
through the check list on page 80, choosing organizational assessment tools appropriate to your
envisioned microfinance design as a result; then, write a 2-5 page paper, listing which tools you
plan to use, with a rationale for each); submit your results to the instructor.
June 21, Mon. (Class #9), 3:00pm-7:00pm: Commercialization
1. BancoSol: From Microcredit to Microfinance, accessed: May 17, 2010,
http://www.bancosol.com.bo/archivos/historiamicro.e.pdf (also posted at Blackboard)
2. Microfinance’s Success Sets Off a Debate in Mexico, accessed: May 17, 2010,
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/05/business/worldbusiness/05micro.html?_r=2 (also
posted at Blackboard)
3. CGAP Reflections on the COMPARTAMOS Public Offering: A Case Study on
Microfinance Interest Rates and Profits (posted at Blackboard)
4. Chuck Waterfield’s Reflections on the COMPARTAMOS IPO, accessed: May 17, 2010,
http://www.microfin.com/compartamos.htm (also posted at Blackboard)
Option 2 – Assignment 6: Submit a reflection paper focused upon the activities of Day Five of
the Kindevatter manual (STEP SIX: DECIDE—IS THE BUSINESS A GOOD IDEA?)
June 23, Wed. (Class #10), 3:00pm-7:00pm: Wrap Up
Readings, if any, to be determined later
Option 1 – Final Assignment: Utilizing the Master Plan Worksheet as found in Buzzard and
Edgcomb on pages 8-11, summarize your findings in steps 1-6, attempting also to incorporate any
theological insights or implications you deem important; submit your results to the instructor.
Additional Bibliography
Adams, Dale. “Using Credit Unions as Conduits for Micro-enterprise Lending,” Credit Unions and
the Poverty Challenge. Geneva: International Labour Office, 1999.
Amin, Samir. Capitalism in the Age of Globalization: The Management of Contemporary Society.
Capetown: Zed Books, 1998.
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 12
Bales, Kevin. Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy. Berkeley: University of
California Press, 1999.
Baydas, Mayada, Douglas H. Graham, and Liza Valenzuela. Commercial Banks in Microfinance:
New Actors in Microfinance World.” Microenterprises Best Practices, August 1997.
Block, Fred “A Moral Economy.” The Nation March, 2006.
Bornstein, David. The Price of a Dream: New York: Simon and Schuster, 1996.
Brett, John. “We Sacrifice and Eat Less: The Structural Complexities of Microfinance Participation.”
Human Organization, 65.1 (2006): 8-19.
Brown, Lester. Eco-Economy: Building an Economy for the Earth. New York: Norton, 2001.
Bruck, Connie. “Millions for Millions.” The New Yorker 30 October, 2006.
Chua, Amy. World on Fire, New York: Anchor Books, 2003.
Churchill, Craig. “Client Focused Lending: The Art of Individual Lending.” Toronto: Calmeadow.
Churchill, Craig, Madeline Hirschland and Judith Painter. “New Directions in Poverty Finance.”
Small Enterprise Education and Promotion Network, Washington, DC, 2002.
Counts, Alex. “Factors that Contribute to Expanded Growth: Case Studies for Massive Outreach to
the Poor and Poorest.” Microcredit Summit Campaign, November 2006.
Crijins, Gemma et al. “A Billion to Gain? A Study on Global Financial Institutions and
Microfinance” ING Microfinance Support, February, 2006.
Daley-Harris, Sam, ed. Pathways Out of Poverty: Innovations in Microfinance for the Poorest
Families. Bloomfield: Kumarian Press, 2002.
Daley-Harris, Sam, ed. More Pathways Out of Poverty. Bloomfield: Kumarian Press, 2006.
Dowla, Asif and Dipal Barua. The Poor Always Pay Back: The Grameen Story. Bloomfield:
Kumarian Press, 2006.
Drake, Deborah and Rhyne Elizabeth. The Commercialization of Microfinance. Bloomfield:
Kumarian Press Inc., 2002.
Dunford, Christopher. “The Holy Grail of Microfinance: Helping the Poor and Sustainable?” Small
Enterprise Development 11 (2000): 40-44.
Feiner, Susan and Barker, Drucilla. “Microcredit and Women’s Poverty” Dollars and Sense NovDec, 2006.
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 13
Gardner, Garry. Inspiring Progress: Religions’ Contributions to Sustainable Development. New
York: Norton, 2006.
George, Susan. The Debt Boomerang: How the Third World Debt Harms Us All. Amsterdam:
Pluto Press/Transnational Institute, 1992.
Gibbons, David. “Grameen Bank.” The Grameen Reader, 1992.
Gutierrez, Gustavo. Theology of Liberation, New York: Orbis Books, 1973.
Hancock, Graham. Lords of Poverty: The Power, Prestige, and Corruption of the International Aid
Business. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1989.
Harper, Malcolm. Microfinance, Evolution, Achievements and Challenges. London: ITDG
Publishing, 2003.
Hart, Stuart. Capitalism at the Crossroads: The Unlimited Business Opportunities in Solving the
World’s Most Difficult Problems. Pennsylvania: Wharton School Publishing, 2005.
Holcombe, Susan. Managing to Empower. Dhaka: University Press Ltd, 1995.
Hulme, David and Mosley, Paul. Finance Against Poverty. London: Routledge, 1996.
Kamp, Jurrian. Small Change: How $50 Can Change the World. New York: Cosimo, 2003.
Latifee, H.I. “Future of Microfinance: Visioning the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of
Microfinance Expansion Over the Next 10 Years.” Microcredit Summit Campaign,
November 2006.
Martin Meredith. The Fate of Africa. New York: Public Affairs, 2005.
McCrae, Ian. Global Economics: Seeking a Christian Ethic. New York: Friendship Press, 1993.
Meier, Gerald. Leading Issues in Economic Development. New York: Oxford University Press,
1995.
Narayan, Deepa. Voices of the Poor, Can Anyone Hear Us?. New York: World Bank Publications,
2000.
Reed, Larry. “Commercialization: Overcoming the Obstacles to Accessing Commercial Funds While
Maintaining a Commitment to Reaching the Poorest.” Microcredit Summit Campaign,
November 2006.
Rhyne, Elizabeth. “The Yin and Yang of Microfinance: Reaching the Poor and Sustainability.”
MicroBanking Bulletin 2 (1998): 6-8.
Robinson, Marguerita. The Microfinance Revolution. New York: World Bank Publications, 2001.
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 14
Rock, Rachel, Maria Otero, and Sonia Saltzman. “Principles and Practices of Microfinance
Governance.” ACCION, August 1998.
Rutherford, Stuart. The Poor and Their Money. Oxford University Press/DFID, 2000.
Schreiner, Mark. “A Framework for the Development of the Social Benefits of Microfinance.”
Microfinance Risk Management and Center for Social Development, June 1999.
Todd, Helen. Women at the Center: Grameen Bank Borrowers After One Decade. Boulder,
Colorado: Westview Press, 1996.
Van Bastelaer, Thierry. “Achieving Millennium Development Goals of Relieving Extreme Poverty:
What is the Cutting Edge Cost in Effectively Measuring Movement across the $1/day
Threshold?” Microcredit Summit Campaign, November 2006.
Woller, Gary. “Social Performance Glossary,” SEEP Network, October 2006.
Yunus, Muhammad. Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty.
New York: Public Affairs, 2003.
Yunus, Muhammad. Bankers to the Poor, London: Aurum Press, 1998.
Zaalberg, Maarten. Why Commercial Banks Should Enter Microfinance: The Case of South Africa.
Amsterdam: University of Amsterdam, 2005.
Zeller, Manred and Meyer, Richard L. The Triangle of Microfinance: Financial Sustainability
Outreach and Impact. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press/International Food Policy
Research, 2002.
“Assessing Relative Poverty of Microfinance Clients.” CGAP and International Food Policy
Research, July 2000.
“Competition and Microcredit Interest Rates.” CGAP Focus Note, February 2006.
“Foreign Exchange Rate Risk in Microfinance.” CGAP Focus Note, January 2006.
“Foreign Exchange Risk Mitigation Techniques” CGAP, World Bank, Washington, DC, 2006.
“Microfinance and Non-Financial Services for Very Poor People,” SEEP Network, October, 2006.
“Optimizing Capital Supply in Support of Microfinance Industry Growth,” A Working Paper for the
Microfinance ]Investor Roundtable, SEEP October 2006.
“Pro Poor Growth, An Analysis of Poverty Reduction Strategies.” The Hague. AIV, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, 2003.
“Protecting Microfinance Borrowers.” CGAP Focus Note, May 2005.
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 15
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Millennium Development Goals: Human
Development Report. Oxford University Press, 2003.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Millennium Development Goals: Human
Development Report. Oxford University Press, 2006.
USAID, “Microenterprise Results Reporting” Annual Report to Congress, Fiscal Year 2005.
Academic Policies
The following is not intended as a comprehensive restatement of the academic policies and
procedures of the Campolo College of Graduate and Professional Studies. Some material is
excerpted from longer statements printed in the CCGPS Catalog and the Catalog includes policies
not noted here. The student and instructor are referred to the Catalog for college-wide policies and
to Student and Instructor Handbooks of the programs or departments in which this course is
offered for supplements or context-specific definitions of those college-wide policies.
1. Student Disability Policy: Students with documented disabilities are encouraged to work
with the Center for Counseling and Academic Support (610-341-5837) to submit a written
request for accommodations specific to this course. To receive accommodations, the
professor/instructor must receive a written request from CCAS. A student must update
accommodations requests with CCAS prior to each academic session.
2. Copies of Course Assignments: Students are responsible for retaining a copy(ies) of all
materials submitted for grading. If a paper or project is misplaced or lost in transition, the
student must provide a substitute copy upon request.
3. Academic Dishonesty: The student is responsible to become familiar with acceptable
standards for research and documentation and to abide by them. The definition of academic
dishonesty and its penalties are defined and articulated in the CCGPS Catalog.
4. Emergency and Crisis Information: In the case of an emergency event, we ask that all
community m embers use their best judgment. We also recommend that each member of
this community become familiar with emergency procedures. Call Campus Security at 610341-1737 for emergencies on the St. Davids campus or building security or local police at
other locations.
5. Inclement Weather: Decisions to cancel class due to inclement weather will be made by
3:30 p.m. on a weekday and 6:00 a.m. on Saturdays. Use your own judgment regarding travel
conditions from your area. If you determine that it is unsafe to travel and the class has not
been cancelled, CCGPS or departmental attendance policies will apply. If the University is
closed or classes are delayed due to inclement weather, there are two convenient ways for
you to stay informed:
•
The CCGPS Information Bulletin Board. Please call the voice mail system at 610225-5055; once you hear “Repartee Messaging System,” dial 2834 and the recorded
Introduction to Microfinance
Syllabus, 16
•
•
message will begin. (For those making long distance calls, please feel free to dial 1800-732-7669; at the menu, dial 2834.)
The Eastern University Website: School closing information can be seen at
www.eastern.edu by clicking on “School Closing Info” under the “EU Quick Links”
drop-down menu at the top of the page.
Radio: A radio announcement will be made on KYW news radio, 1060 AM (our
school closing number—1207--is listed in Delaware County) and on WARM 103 FM
(in Central Pennsylvania).
Materials contained herein are the intellectual property of Eastern University, the instructor, course designer, or external
parties and are thus proprietary in nature. This syllabus represents an instructional contract between the student, the
instructor, and Eastern University. It serves as a basis for student and instructor evaluations. Therefore, it should not be
substantively altered without appropriate communication among all parties.