Hst158 Field Report–Human Development

Hst158 Field Report–Human Development
WHAT? As we wind up our examination of the modern history of Latin America, let’s take a look at how the people of the region are doing. We are interested in human development on a comparative country by country basis. This assignment asks you to select three/four countries from the region and prepare a summary of information that informs us about the satisfaction of basic needs and the advancement of human development. (60 points)

WHEN? We will take class time over the next two weeks framing the human development topic and examining the variety of data sources and indices useful for measuring and comparing conditions in Latin American countries. Your summary papers will be due at our last class meeting, Thursday, June 2.

HOW? Prepare a summary paper in which you compare and contrast the condition of national populations and the supporting political, economic, and social institutions upon which the well-being of people depends. Follow these steps for maximum satisfaction:

Select three/four countries for your study. Select from different regions, population sizes and different levels of economic development.
Using the Human Development resources listed below, clarify the meaning of human development and identify what variables for measuring the level of human development you plan to use.
Examine the Political/Social Development indices below and decide what variables or indicators you want to use to compare institutional performance.
Use the Country Profile indices to get an overview of each country.
Construct a paper of approximately 3-5 typewritten pages (ds), in which you include:
Your criteria for measuring and evaluating the levels of human development for your countries.
A country by country summary of the data you gather to measure human development and institutional performance.
A section comparing and contrasting your findings and offering some explanation of the similarities and differences.
Several summary paragraphs commenting on what you have discovered.
A conclusion in which you explain your take-away from this comparative study.

Human Development:
UN Development Program, What is Human Development (video)
UN Development Program, Human Development Concept
UNDP, Human Development Data
UNDP, Country Profiles
People First–Human Development Reports (video)

Political/Social Development:
Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2016
Fund for Peace, Fragile-States Index
Brookings, Index of State Weakness in the Developing World
Transparency International, Corruption Perception Index, 2015

Country Profiles:
CIA, World Fact Book
Index Mundi, Country Facts
BBC, Country Profiles
CFR, Latin America Blog