Cambodia is the land of stark contrasts. This course introduces students to Cambodian economic, social, and labor development. We start by examining Cambodia’s history (and ancient architecture) to provide the background to its economy and society. We then explore Cambodia’s more recent development, focusing on the role of political institutions, economic development strategies, human rights, and labor policies. The highly interactive course involves a mix of lectures by scholars and policy makers, with field visits. Given that the labor-intensive garment industry has contributed to making Cambodia one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, we will specifically focus on the role of labor and human capital in Cambodia’s development.

Students participating in the program will be documenting their experiences and observations in Cambodia through a daily journal project. Everyday, students will be contributing to this blog with their journal project, as well as photo and video entries. Make sure to come back everyday for the latest updates from students in the program!