DISS362_SP14

Memorandum of Understanding
between
Cuz Produces
and
[your firm]
concerning
DISS362

This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is between Cuz Produces (“CP”), part of Korea University’s Division of International Studies, and [your firm] (“Company”). CP and Company are referred to herein individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties.

Whereas cities constitute essential and unique spaces for development processes and therefore face different obstacles and challenges from the states in which they are located;

Whereas Seoul’s experience of rapid urban development since 1950 may offer insights for other cities currently undergoing rapid growth;

Whereas CP has developed a certain depth of knowledge regarding both the relationship between cities and their host states and the challenges facing cities in developing countries;

Whereas CP is uniquely positioned to offer DISS362, a course formally titled “Economic Geography of Developing Countries” and colloquially known as “Cities and Development” (“CAD”);

Whereas  Company, a student-based consulting firm dedicated to translating Korea’s development experience for application in other nations, seeks to expand its knowledge with respect to the urban aspects of development;

Whereas  there is increasing scientific evidence that self-organized, project-based learning promotes stronger educational outcomes;

Now, therefore, the Parties agree as follows:


1 Activities


1.1 Company Activities

Company shall undertake the following activities during the duration of the MOU term:

  1. Individually read an academic articles and submit a one-page Reaction Paper (RP) about that article electronically by 9am on each of the following dates: March 18, April 1, April 15, May 8, and May 20. These papers will not be graded with a letter grade, but will be allocated from zero to four points depending on how actively the paper engages the material. Early submissions are welcome, but late submissions will not be considered. Papers should usually be 350–500 words (about one page single-spaced). These brief papers are intended to establish a minimal foundation for Company’s research. Reaction Papers (RP) may ask for clarification about any aspect of the readings not fully understood and/or to express an opinion about one or more of the readings. RPs should be clearly written, spell-checked, and grammatically correct.
  2. Attend meetings regularly and participate fully in the firm’s efforts.
  3. Submit a report of 6,000–8,000 words and an executive summary of this report at the beginning of class on 3 June 2014. The report shall consist of three parts:
    1. A historical description of Seoul’s political and policy experience in addressing one or two issues selected by Company that have arisen since 1950. For example, Company may choose single, somewhat narrow issues like air quality, affordable housing, water infrastructure, sanitation, slums, economic inequality, industrial development, industrial siting, health provision, education, and so on.
    2. A description of the circumstances relevant to this issue in a developing country city selected by Company.
    3. A set of recommendations for this developing country city based on knowledge gained through Company’s examination of Seoul’s experience.
  4. Submit a mid-term report of 3,000–4,000 words identifying preliminary findings and an executive summary at the beginning of class on 29 April 2014. The contents of this report should follow the same pattern as the final report and can be treated as an initial draft.
  5. Submit a detailed description of each Company representative’s activities and contributions. This document should be signed by all Company representatives.
  6. Present Company’s findings during meetings held between 3 June 2014 and 12 June 2014. The presentation should be approximately 25 minutes and will be followed by questions and answers.


1.2 CP Activities

CP shall undertake the following activities during the duration of the MOU term:

  1. Act as an adviser to Company representatives. In this role, CP will meet regularly with Company representatives to identify appropriate issues, cities, and readings. CP will also provide ongoing guidance with regard to the structure and content of reports and other deliverables.
  2. Evaluate and post assessment scores for all deliverables in a timely manner.
  3. Lecture on special topics when it is determined that doing so would benefit all firms involved.


2 General Provisions

  1. Effective Date. The term of this MOU will extend from 3 March 2014 to 20 June 2014.
  2. Location and time. The Parties will conduct their activities in Room 216 of the International Studies Hall every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30am to 11:45am during the MOU’s term with the exception of Korean public holidays and scheduled Korea University examination periods.
  3. Communications. The Parties will not use EKU for communications. Rather, they will use the project website (http://www.cuzproduces.com/drupal/content/diss362sp14) for such purposes. To this end, each firm member must establish their own account on this website.
  4. Plagiarism. Plagiarism is unacceptable. If plagiarism is detected, you will receive a zero for the given assignment. This will apply to an entire firm in the case of the final report. Please note that plagiarism is much broader than many students realize. You are encouraged to look at the excellent descriptions of plagiarism from Indiana University, Harvard University , and the University of Wisconsin, and you will be held to their standards.
  5. Grading. Overall grades will be calculated in accordance with the following table:

    Weights  
    20% Response papers
    10% Midterm report
    20% Final presentation
    50% Final report
     


    Note that group grades for the final presentation and report will be adjusted for each individual on the basis of peer evaluations and the individual contribution reports.