AØKA08031U Development Economics

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.