new Glossary entries: A-Z

Date: Apr 14, 2004

new Glossary entries: A-Z

Date: Apr 15, 2004

Webster,

There is a huge difference between what economists teach (credible subject area taught by PhD scholars who came to USM after national searches) and economic development, which at USM appears to be an ill-defined, catch-all discipline taught by unqualified cronies from the evil empire who came to USM under the Thames/Dvorak/Hudson hiring schemes.

Economics is found about half the time in liberal arts and about half the time in business schools. Economic Development could be a credible specialty in economics or it could be a credible multidisciplinary program across colleges. What it cannot be is a pseudo-business program as a way around the higher standards of the business school.

Economic Development is not nearly as unique as USM leadership would have people think. It is usually found in Public Policy schools, however. What is somewhat unique is that it is found in the Business School at USM. Now, that makes some sense if economic development is defined here as entrepreneurship (starting businesses), management (growing businesses), and globalization (expanding businesses worldwide). Business schools, however, are professional schools and they have high, rather rigorous standards in order to maintain their accreditation. Accrediting bodies look askance at business courses, under the guise of economic development, taught by people who aren't qualified. This is why many schools who want to associate their economic development programs with their business schools offer certificate programs that don't put accreditation at risk. Much of the controversy around the economic development program at USM is that the department wants to offer academic programs to grant advanced degrees (masters, executive masters, and PhD) with the same questionable quality of a certificate program. It is an academic travesty and an insult to real economists and real economic development scholars.

Date: May 24, 2004

quote: What happened to my "Farriswood" entry? That grossly misplaced but intended sexual innuendo (however poorly concocted) was a nice and welcomed boost to my rather faded/dated macho image...Kindly bring it back ASAP! Thank you! R. Scott Farris
Originally posted by: webster
"Economic Development department < 1. a collection of individuals trained in English, geography and polymer science offering online/Internet degrees in economics (someone please investigate and report back to Webster with info on what USM’s economists teach); 2. about to get a new $12 million crib, The Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. Evil Shelboo < short-film portrayal of Shelby Thames on a black market digital video disc. Farris, R. Scott < 1. former Hattiesburg City Council member and big Thames ally; 2. thought Angeline Dvorak gave a good speech at JCJC in Ellisville; 3. member of the League of the South, group founded in 1994 to promote the "resurrection of a Southern nation" and a refusal to surrender to cultural genocide; 4. Farris is the official musician of the Mississippi Southern League; 5. see Thames Underworld. Robinson, Robin < 1. IHL Board appointee (April 2004) by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour; 2. USM grad, and Human Resources official at Sanderson Farms in Laurel; 3. is opposed to the universities raising tuition and wants them to become "self-sufficient" (by selling their inventions). Trent Lott Center for Excellence in ED & E < 1. new facility for USM’s Economic Development department; 2. $12 million house for Internet-based programs; 3. see Haley Barbour; 4. see Trent Lott. Tuesdays with Thames II < 1. what Tuesdays against Thames has morphed into; 2. like the original Tuesdays with Thames, though now the only attendees are a handful of economic development students (who are forced to attend by Ken Malone, Angeline Dvorak and Tim Hudson; see HA, 2/14/04), Janet Braswell and Abbenyi Abbenyi (who goes only to get new cartoon ideas)."

Date: May 24, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: R. Scott Farris
""

R. Scott:

Farriswood is still in the glossary. Sexual innuendo? What are you talking about? Angeline is fine, though, isn't she (not!). "Poorly concocted..?" I'll take that as a compliment coming from the official pianist of the Southern League...

Date: May 24, 2004

R. Scott:

Just copied this from the master list. You're still there...

Farriswood < "I had the privilege to hear Dr. [Angeline] Dvorak speak on [economic development] this past January at the very impressive Jones County Junior College Economic Development Symposium . . . . Although there were prominent officials . . . speaking . . . , she was, in my opinion, easily the most engaging, attractive and effective speaker . . . that day" (R. Scott Farris’ letter to several newspapers; italics added).

Date: May 24, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Too much coffee
"Webster, There is a huge difference between what economists teach (credible subject area taught by PhD scholars who came to USM after national searches) and economic development, which at USM appears to be an ill-defined, catch-all discipline taught by unqualified cronies from the evil empire who came to USM under the Thames/Dvorak/Hudson hiring schemes. Economics is found about half the time in liberal arts and about half the time in business schools. Economic Development could be a credible specialty in economics or it could be a credible multidisciplinary program across colleges. What it cannot be is a pseudo-business program as a way around the higher standards of the business school. Economic Development is not nearly as unique as USM leadership would have people think. It is usually found in Public Policy schools, however. What is somewhat unique is that it is found in the Business School at USM. Now, that makes some sense if economic development is defined here as entrepreneurship (starting businesses), management (growing businesses), and globalization (expanding businesses worldwide). Business schools, however, are professional schools and they have high, rather rigorous standards in order to maintain their accreditation. Accrediting bodies look askance at business courses, under the guise of economic development, taught by people who aren't qualified. This is why many schools who want to associate their economic development programs with their business schools offer certificate programs that don't put accreditation at risk. Much of the controversy around the economic development program at USM is that the department wants to offer academic programs to grant advanced degrees (masters, executive masters, and PhD) with the same questionable quality of a certificate program. It is an academic travesty and an insult to real economists and real economic development scholars. "

Thank you, Too much coffee, for such a cogent explanation of why this slap-dash program at USM is such an affront to real scholars. This post deserves a thread of its very own!

Date: May 25, 2004

Webster, thanks for all of your fabulous work!