AØKA08088U Advanced Development Economics - Micro Aspects

Volume 2015/2016
Education

Elective at MSc in Economics
MSc programme in mathematics-economics

Content

The course will cover the microeconomics of development, and will focus on approaches to understanding the behavior of households and firms, and the functioning of markets and institutions in developing countries. Since development is a field with a strong empirical tradition, most of the course will be centered on discussing and evaluating the empirical strategies used in the literature.

Key topics in micro development will be covered including:

(i) Doing agriculture

(ii) Doing business (industry and services)

(iii) Household economics and intra household allocation

(iv) Health and nutrition,

(v) Jobs, labor market and migration,

(vi) Human capital and education,

(vii) Land and property rights,

(viii) Savings and credit

(ix), Risk and insurance

(x) Social networks and learning,

(xi) Institutions and corruption

(xii) Conflict,

(xiii) Coping with disasters.

Learning Outcome

The academic aims are:

  • To provide the students with a critical overview of the recent literature and important debates within the micro aspects of economic development.
  • To provide insight into methodological issues that arises when doing research on microeconomics of development. The emphasis will be on (i) How theoretical microeconomic hypothesis may be tested with data and (ii) how to identify causal relationships. Therefore, one aim is to gain some insight into what makes a good empirical study.
  • To provide students with a “hands-on” experience on how to replicate empirical results using relevant econometric software. This will hopefully prepare students for original independent empirical research and help identify possible interesting thesis topics.  

 

By the end of the course the students should be able to:

  • Explain the main concepts and issues relevant to microeconomic problems of less developed countries.
  • Understand and solve presented theoretical models and be able to present the models’ empirical predictions.
  • Be able to present empirical results in a precise and consistent manor, as well as demonstrate a thorough understanding of the identification problems faced when carrying out empirical work.

Syllabus

Textbook: Bardhan and Udry (1999). “Development Microeconomics”, Oxford University Press.

Series of academic articles made available on the course homepage in Absalon

None
2 hours lectures one to two times a week and 2 hours of exercise every week for 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 this link:
https:/​/​skema.ku.dk/​ku1516/​uk/​module.htm
-Select Department: “2200-Økonomisk Institut” (and wait for respond)
-Select Module:: “2200-F16; Advanced Development Economics - Micro Aspects
-Select Period: “Forår/Spring – Weeks 4-29”
-Press: “ View Timetable”

Please be aware that the schedule of the exercise classe can be changed until just before the teaching begins without the participants accept. If this happens the participants will be informed or can see it at the above link. After enrollment it can be seen in KUnet and by the app myUCPH.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Exercises
  • 28
  • Exam
  • 24
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 112
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, 24 hours under invigilation
The final assessment is a 24 hours individual take-home exam.
Exam registration requirements

To be eligible to take the examination, students must satisfactorily complete 2 out of 3 assignments during the semester.

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
100 % censorship
Exam period

From June 4, 2016 at 10 am to June 5 at 10 am. 

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

Re-exam

From August 20, 2016 at 10 am to August 21 at 10 am. 

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.