After two days of 'shopping' for courses (everything is now subject to being 'shopped'--see comments on R.Reich's talk last week) I have made a several changes to my schedule. The number of great courses substantially exceeds any one's capacity for taking them. Here is my current thinking--and classes start tomorrow, so I'm getting close to the decision point.
Ethics in Public Life
Civil Society and Development
Narrative: Identity, Agency and Action
Innovations in Democracy
Markets and Market Failures
It is truly torturous to decide what to leave out. I'm thinking if any of you want to fund my staying another year, I'd be open to that option (:: Oh, well, just a thought!
I'd say more about each class, but I have lots of reading to do before class.....more later.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Institute of Politics
One of the marvelous things about being here is the IOP. Again, go to the KSG website and on the left hand side, click on Institute of Politics. This is often called the 'sixth course' as the number of speakers, panels, dinner discussions etc with amazing figures from all walks of life and around the planet are available in abundance EVERY week. It's an education unto itself.
The Forum kicked off it's fall season today with Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor under President Clinton. The KSG Dean, David Ellwood (A MINNESOTAN!) served under Clinton as well, so fun to hear him introduce Bob Reich.
He gave a very thoughtful and provocative talk based on his new book “Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life.” Tonight's talk was Why has Capitalism Triumphed and Democracy Failed?”
He asks us to really start paying attention to our 'consumer/investor brain" and our 'citizen brain.' The consumer who wants the good deal and the investor who wants the good returns vs the citizen who knows these deals cost us dearly as a society. When companies pay low wages, don't provide health insurance, etc. the costs get 'exported' to all of us at the emergency room, the food shelves and all the other countless ways where business is not paying their full costs of production. His premise is also that companies exist to make a profit--that we, as citizens of a democracy have to set the rules--such as "you must provide a living wage or health care." Otherwise the competition is so intense today that companies won't do what's good for society as a whole and we can't expect them to. I, of course, am paraphrasing him poorly so do read the book or a good review of it. I also think you will be able to watch the video on the IOP website soon...probably the easiest way to get a good feel for his thinking.
My point is that the education you get here is partly in the classroom but mostly from your fellow students and the incredible access to the best thinkers on the planet. More soon.....
The Forum kicked off it's fall season today with Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor under President Clinton. The KSG Dean, David Ellwood (A MINNESOTAN!) served under Clinton as well, so fun to hear him introduce Bob Reich.
He gave a very thoughtful and provocative talk based on his new book “Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life.” Tonight's talk was Why has Capitalism Triumphed and Democracy Failed?”
He asks us to really start paying attention to our 'consumer/investor brain" and our 'citizen brain.' The consumer who wants the good deal and the investor who wants the good returns vs the citizen who knows these deals cost us dearly as a society. When companies pay low wages, don't provide health insurance, etc. the costs get 'exported' to all of us at the emergency room, the food shelves and all the other countless ways where business is not paying their full costs of production. His premise is also that companies exist to make a profit--that we, as citizens of a democracy have to set the rules--such as "you must provide a living wage or health care." Otherwise the competition is so intense today that companies won't do what's good for society as a whole and we can't expect them to. I, of course, am paraphrasing him poorly so do read the book or a good review of it. I also think you will be able to watch the video on the IOP website soon...probably the easiest way to get a good feel for his thinking.
My point is that the education you get here is partly in the classroom but mostly from your fellow students and the incredible access to the best thinkers on the planet. More soon.....
Candy Store or Trauma Center?
The multitude of wonderful courses and professors available to Kennedy School students is both exhilarating and traumatizing. In economic terms (what we spent time learning this summer) the fear is the opportunity cost of NOT taking a course could be significant. The truth is, you really can hardly go wrong AND it's important to find the right match for me! I me with my adviser yesterday, Hannah Riley Bowles and she gave me lots of good ideas and things to think about.
I have had 4 different schedules so far and am sure it will change again. However, I'd love for you to take a crack at it. Go to the KSG webpage, on the left side is Degree Programs, then select courses and decide what you would take. Here is my current list--you can read the Syllabus on line as well--scroll down to the end of the course description for a link. Any ideas for me???
http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/
My current thinking (changes daily right now):
I have had 4 different schedules so far and am sure it will change again. However, I'd love for you to take a crack at it. Go to the KSG webpage, on the left side is Degree Programs, then select courses and decide what you would take. Here is my current list--you can read the Syllabus on line as well--scroll down to the end of the course description for a link. Any ideas for me???
http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/
My current thinking (changes daily right now):
API 105B Markets & Market Failure with Cases--focus on Urban Problems
(fullfills my Econ/Quant requirement and a great teacher)
PAL 125 Religion and Gov't: Choices of Morality, Law and Policy. Pr Hehir is a Catholic Priest (I think) and an amazing prof I hear--the midterm is a one-on-one interview.
PAL 154/PAL 155 Public Narrative with Marshall Ganz---famous organizer and I hear, also a tremendous teacher. My radical self will GROW I'm sure.
STM 110: Strategic Management for Public Purposes Mary Jo Bane and Andy Zelleke--both well known poverty experts, my area of interest.
ISP 224 Human Rights and International Politics: The Basic Policy Dilemmas, M. Risse. This looks like a marvelous course for me to understand more about how to think about what human rights are--Is health care a human right? Early childhood education? The work I want to do touches on human rights and I have little background. I've heard he is also a great prof.
We have 'shopping' days next Mon/Tues to get a short intro to all the classes being taught this fall. That will be a great help in finalizing the courses. I have about 10 more I'm interested in....some I have on my Spring schedule. We start classes on Wed, Sept 12 so I'm beginning to buy books and try to read ahead a bit.
Any input is welcome!
We have 'shopping' days next Mon/Tues to get a short intro to all the classes being taught this fall. That will be a great help in finalizing the courses. I have about 10 more I'm interested in....some I have on my Spring schedule. We start classes on Wed, Sept 12 so I'm beginning to buy books and try to read ahead a bit.
Any input is welcome!
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