POLI2446 · Political Science
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
This course investigates the relationship between natural resources and politics, with an emphasis on developing countries. Key questions include: When and why does wealth in natural resources lead to negative outcomes for governance, democracy, and development? How should scarce resources such as good land and clean water be managed? When does competition over resources devolve into conflict? Is there something special about diamonds? In examining these questions (and others), we will seek to understand how these issues are conditioned by policies and political institutions.
Course experience
Averages use the original five-point historical evaluation scale.
Organization
4.8 / 5
How well the course was organized
Challenge
4.8 / 5
How intellectually challenging students found it
Attendance
4.8 / 5
How necessary attendance was
Assignments
4.5 / 5
How helpful assignments were
Weekly effort
~5
hours per week
Estimated from the original workload response buckets. Individual sections may differ.
Instructor options
Ratings below reflect the evaluations connected to this course.
Across time
Available section-level results across semesters.
Spring 2025
1 sectionSpring 2023
1 sectionSpring 2022
1 section