AØKA08031U Development Economics

Volume 2015/2016
Education

Prioritized elective at the 3.year of BSc in Economics
Elective at MSc in Economics

Content

This is an introductory course in development economics at an advanced undergraduate level. General textbook material and selected articles on the subject form the core of the readings. A broad range of topics is covered, including theories of development, micro- and macroeconomic issues and economic analysis as well as key policy issues and recommendations. The students are introduced to current questions and historical, long-run features.

Learning Outcome

Development Economics has as overall aim to give the students to a firm knowledge of the broad field of development economics. Having successfully taken this course, students will be able to:

  • Explain both the basic concepts used and the issues addressed in Development Economics and document ability to apply micro and macro theory and methods to questions of economic development.
  • Identify, describe and assess the measurable indicators, which are used in socioeconomic surveys and analyses of the economic, social and institutional situation and characteristics of developing countries.
  • Describe the main historical experiences with development and structural change in the Global South and reflect convincingly on present challenges and perspectives for the future.
  • Lay out the key elements of the more recent theories and development models, and document ability to undertake critical assessment, add nuance and relate the various theories/models to each other.
  • Review theories and empirical evidence on economic inequality, poverty and growth and their internal relationships.
  • Present and discuss existing theory and empirical evidence on the importance of human resources (health, education and population) and the role of agriculture in the development process.
  • Summarize and assess theory and empirical evidence on the economic characteristics and functions of selected markets (land, labour and capital/credit) in developing countries and relate the interaction between the environment and development to concepts and methods used in economics.
  • Explain how selected macroeconomic policies are applied in the context of economic reform programmes in developing countries and reflect about ongoing professional debate in areas such as international trade, foreign direct investment and foreign aid.
  • Convey knowledge about issues, theory and empirical evidence in the field of development economics in a clear and well-argued manner and demonstrate ability to apply taught theoretical and empirical knowledge in a competent, coherent and original way in relation to current challenges.

Textbooks :

  • Dwight H. Perkins, Steven Radelet, David L. Lindauer and Steven A. Blovk, 2013. "Economics of Development", 7th edition, W.W. Norton & Company.
  • Debraj Ray, 1998. “Development Economics”, Princeton University Press, Chapters 6,7,12-14.
  • David N. Weil, 2013. "Economic Growth", Pearson International Edition, 3rd Edition, Chapters 7-13.

 

Journal Articles:

  • Robert Cull, Asli Demirguc-Kunt, and Jonathan Morduch, 2009. "Microfinance Meets the Market", Journal of Economic Perspectives, 23(1), 167–192
  • William Easterly, 2007. "Inequality does cause underdevelopment: insights from a new instrument?" Journal of Development Economics 84: 755-776.
  • Martin Ravallion, 1998. "Poverty Lines in Theory and Practice", Living Standards Measurement Study Working Paper 133, World Bank, Washington DC.

 

Book Chapters:

  • World Development Report, 2008. "Agriculture for Development", World Bank/Oxford University Press, Overview and Chapter 1, pages 26-44.
  • World Development Report, 2009. "Reshaping Economic Geography", World Bank/Oxford University Press, Chapter 1, pages 48-72.
Students should have taken Microeconomics and Macroeconomics courses corresponding to 2nd year undergraduate level at the Department of Economics.
3 hours of lectures per week in 14 weeks.

Timetable and classroom:
For time and classroom please press the link under "Se skema"(See schedule) at the right side of this page (15E means Autumn 2015, 16F means Spring 2016).
Normally the exercise classes begin in the second week of the semester.

You can find the similar side partly in English at
https:/​/​skema.ku.dk/​ku1516/​uk/​module.htm
-Select Department: “2200-Økonomisk Institut” (and wait for respond)
-Select Module:: “2200-F16;Development Economics”
-Select Period: “Forår/Spring – Weeks 4-29”
-Press: “ View Timetable”
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 3
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 161
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 3 hours under invigilation
3 hours writtten assignment without aids.
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
20 % censorship
Exam period

The written exam takes place May 30 2016 at Peter Bangsvej 36, 2000 Frederiksberg http://pc-eksamen.ku.dk/pc_exam

The exact time of the exam will be informed in the Self-Service at KUnet mid-April.

For enrolled students more information about examination, exam/re-sit, rules etc. is available at the student intranet for Examination (English) and student intranet for Examination (KA-Danish).

Re-exam

The written re-exam takes place August 23, 2016 at Peter Bangsvej 36, 2000 Frederiksberg http://pc-eksamen.ku.dk/pc_exam

The exact time of the exam will be informed in the Self-Service at KUnet early-/mid-August.

If only a few students have registered for the re-exam, the exam might change to an oral exam including the date for the exam, which will be informed  by the Examination Office.

Criteria for exam assesment

The student must in a satisfactory way demonstrate that he/she has mastered the learning outcome of the course.