AØKA08031U Development Economics (p)

Volume 2021/2022
Education

MSc programme in Economics – elective course

Bacheloruddannelsen i økonomi – Prioriteret valgfag på 3. år (angivet med et p) Vedr prioriterede valgfag, se studieordningen.

The Danish BSc programme in Economics - prioritized elective at the 3rd year (symbolized by ‘p’).

Content

Our understanding of economic development is constantly evolving. Economic theories and policies are adjusted, augmented and replaced as we gain new insights from observing the World. However, there is often more than one interpretation of observed outcomes. Therefore it is important to have knowledge of both the facts and economists' diverse interpretations of these facts.

 

The course "Development Economics" therefore gives an overview of the level and changes of socio-economic conditions, such as income, poverty, education and health in the global south. These conditions are put in perspective in presentations and discussions of the major trends in classical and contemporary thinking about economic development.

 

General textbook material and selected articles on the subject form the core of the readings. The range of topics covered include theories of development, micro- and macroeconomic issues and economic analysis as well as key policy issues and recommendations.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course, the student is expected to be able to:

 

Knowledge:

  • Account for the issues addressed and the basic concepts used in development economics

  • 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.

  • Discuss theories and empirical evidence on economic inequality, poverty and growth and their internal relationships.

  • Define key elements of the more recent theories and development models.

  • Present and discuss existing theory and empirical evidence on the importance of human resources (health, education and population).

 

Skills:

  • Analyse economic development issues with use of relevant micro and macro theories and empirical methods.

  • Summarize and assess theory and empirical evidence on the economic characteristics and functions of selected markets (land, labour and capital/credit) in developing countries.

 

Competences:

  • Master theoretical and empirical knowledge about economic development in a competent, coherent and original way in relation to current challenges.
  • Initiate and manage ongoing professional debate in areas such as international trade, foreign direct investment and foreign aid.

Textbooks :

  • Dwight H. Perkins, Steven Radelet, David L. Lindauer and Steven A. Blovk, 2013. "Economics of Development", 7th edition, W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN-10: 0393123529. ISBN-13: 978-0393123524.
  • Debraj Ray, 1998. “Development Economics”, Princeton University Press. Hardcover, ISBN: 9780691017068
  • eBook, ISBN: 9781400835898
  • David N. Weil, 2013. "Economic Growth", Pearson International Edition, 3rd Edition. ISBN-10: 0273769294 ISBN-13: 978-0273769293

 

In addition to the textbooks journal articles and reports are also used. The compelte syllabus with chapters ect. will be posted at the start of the course.

Students should have followed courses corresponding to Microeconomics I, Microeconomics II, Macroeconomics I and Macroeconomics II at the 2nd year undergraduate level at the Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen.
The format of the course is a combination of lectures and individual student work.

Restrictions due to pandemic crisis:
The teaching in this course may be changed to be taught either fully or partly online due to a pandemic crisis like COVID-19. In case of changes and further information, please read the study messages in KUnet or the announcements in the course room on Absalon (for enrolled students).
Schedule:
3 hours lectures a week from week 6 to 20 (except holidays).

The overall schema for the 3rd year and Master courses can be seen at KUnet:
MSc in Economics => "courses and teaching" => "Planning and overview" => "Your timetable"
BA i Økonomi/KA i Økonomi => "Kurser og undervisning" => "Planlægning og overblik" => "Dit skema"

Timetable and venue:
To see the time and location of lectures please press the link under "Timetable"/​"Se skema" at the right side of this page (F means Spring).

You can find the similar information partly in English at
https:/​/​skema.ku.dk/​ku2122/​uk/​module.htm
-Select Department: “2200-Økonomisk Institut” (and wait for respond)
-Select Module:: “2200-F22; [Name of course]”
-Select Report Type: “List – Weekdays”
-Select Period: “Forår/Spring – Week 5-30”
Press: “ View Timetable”

Please be aware:
- The schedule of the lectures can be changed without the participants´ acceptance. If this happens you can see the new schedule in your personal timetable at KUnet, in the app myUCPH and through the links in the right side and the link above.
- It is the students´s own responsibility continuously throughout the study to stay informed about their study, their teaching, their schedule, their exams etc. through the curriculum of the study programme, the study pages at KUnet, student messages, the course description, the Digital Exam portal, Absalon, the personal schema at KUnet and myUCPH app etc..
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 161
  • Exam
  • 3
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Collective
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 3 hours under invigilation
as an ITX-exam in the exam venues of the university.

The exam assignment is given in English and must be answered in English.

Changes due to Coronavirus:
In the event that COVID-19 restrictions may affect the conduction of the ITX-exams, the written exam and the re-sit exam will be changed to a 3 hours take-home exam with all aids. If done so, the changes will be announced in study messages at KUnet and in the Digital Exam portal.

The take-home exam is an individual exam and it is not allowed to communicate with any one about the exam assignment nor the solution at all. It is also prohibited to distribute data and other information at all. If this or alike actions happens, it will be regarded as cheating and plagiarism.

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Exam registration requirements

There are no requirements that the student has to fulfill during the course to be able to sit the exam.

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Aid

No aids allowed at the written ITX-exam.

 

If the ITX-exam is changed to a take-home exam due to COVID-19, the written take-home exam will be with all aids.

 

Information about allowed aids for the re-examination, please go to the section "Re-exam".

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Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
at the written exam.
The written ITX-exam may be chosen for external assessment by random sample.
An oral re-examination may be with external assessment.
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Exam period

The regular exam takes place:

30 May 2022

 

Exam information:

The exact time and place will be available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester.

The Department can change the exam to another type, day, time and place than announced. 

More information about examination, rules, aids etc. is available at Master(UK), Master(DK) and Bachelor(DK).

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Re-exam

The written reexam take place:

19 August 2022

 

Information:

If few students register, it might change to 20 min. oral examination without preparation time.

No aids allowed during the examination.

 

Due to COVID-19, the re-sit might change to 20 minutes oral ONLINE exam with all aids, without preparation time.

 

Exact type, day, time and place is available in Digital Exam in August.

The Department can change to another type, day, time and place than announced.

More info: Master(UK),Master(DK) and Bachelor.

Criteria for exam assesment

Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.

 

In order to obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

 

In order to obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of  the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.