Trip Overview
Understanding Economics & Business in Brazil with Economics Professor Joe Petry
Professor Joe Petry from the Department of Economics is leading an immersive course on economics and business enterprises in Brazil. Brazil has seen enormous economic growth over the last 20 years and presents a useful case study in economic development, entrepreneurship, and economic policy reforms. Throughout the course, students will investigate the relevance of institutions, political stability, and social norms in the functioning of markets, and success of individual business and industries. In Brazil, students will spend time in Rio de Janiero and São Paulo, the country's economic capital and educational center, where they will meet Brazilian students, professors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. We will also visit Manaus, in the heart of the Amazon forest.
Course:
Students are registered for ECON 199 for 3 credit hours, a course counting within the Economics Major Hours, and as a Non-Western General Education Course for LAS students.
The spring course has three pre-departure meetings, focusing on preparations, discussions about Brazil and research topics, a Portuguese lesson, and a Brazilian Culture overview. The majority of the work for the course will be within the country and upon return, as students will be compiling a research project based on a topic of interest they have selected to explore about Brazil.
Planning/Logistics:
Joe Petry and Melissa Newell developed the trip as part of the Department of Economics. We could not have done it without Elly Hanauer, Senior Program Advisor for LAS International Programs, as she took on a lot of the logistical items and was instrumental in helping us move from an idea to implementation. We would also like to thank some of our colleagues throughout campus for their resources and valuable input.
Campus Brasil has coordinated all of the in-country logistics, including the visits, accommodations, transportation, and will have guides with us throughout the trip. We have been very lucky to work with such a wonderful partner to ensure we will have the best possible experience to fit our specific needs.
Support:
We would also like to thank The Lemann Institute for Brazilian Studies for their monetary support of the trip to make the student costs lower. LAS International Programs also provided scholarships to some students.