Course # 39790 Section Number 1 Day(s) Th Time(s) 3:30pm-6:20pm Term Spring 2026 Course Instructor James Robinson Syllabus Draft Syllabus 1.21.26 This course presents an overview of the political economy of public policy and development in Latin America and presents a new theory which can help explain many of the anomalies in the existing evidence. There are no technical prerequisites for the course, except a desire to read A LOT and think deeply about Latin America in comparative perspective. Some familiarity with the history and culture of the region is desirable, but enthusiasm and commitment can compensate for that. Course Sections Quarter Course # Title Instructor Day(s) Time(s) Syllabus Spring 2026 PPHA 39790/1 The Fundamental Disequilibrium in Latin America James Robinson Thursday 3:30pm-6:20pm Syllabus Recent News More news Student Profile: Nino Rodriguez, PhD, PAC’25, PWC’25, MPP Class of 2027 Wed., February 04, 2026 $20 Million Gift from Thomas Francis Dunn, AB’81, MBA’86 and Susan Knapp Dunn, AB’82, Launches a New Lab at the Harris School to Advance Emerging Field of Algorithmic Public Policy Wed., February 04, 2026 When Aid Arrives Matters: Early Cash Transfers Improve Outcomes After Floods Mon., February 02, 2026 Upcoming Events More events Policy Research and Innovation Bootcamp (PRIB) Policy Hackathon Challenge Deep Dive Tue., February 10, 2026 | 12:00 PM Preparing for Harris: Teaching Assistantships Wed., February 11, 2026 | 8:30 AM Coffee Chat in Western Massachusetts Wed., February 11, 2026 | 9:00 AM Tunnel City Coffee 100 Spring St #102 Williamstown, MA 01267 United States