AØKA08031U Development Economics

Volume 2018/2019
Education

MSc programme in Economics – elective course

Bacheloruddannelsen i økonomi – Prioriteret valgfag på 3. år

The Danish BSc programme in Economics - prioritized elective at the 3rd year

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 should be able to:

Knowledge:

  • Show overview of both 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.

  • Lay out the 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:

  • Select relevant micro and macro theories and empirical methods for analyses of the current economic development issues covered in the course.

  • Select relevant micro and macro theories and empirical methods for analyzing development issues that are similar to the issues covered in the course.

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

  • Reflect upon ongoing professional debate in areas such as international trade, foreign direct investment and foreign aid.

 

Competences:

  • Ability to apply theoretical and empirical knowledge about economic development in a competent, coherent and original way in relation to current challenges.

 

Literature

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 Microeconomics and Macroeconomics courses corresponding to 2nd year undergraduate level at the Department of Economics.
The format of the course is a combination of lectures and individual student work. Each week there will be a lecture (2x45 min.) at which core concepts, measures and theories are presented. In addition there will be a short session (45 min.) at wich students work on their own (individually or in groups) with rewiew questions of direct relevance for the syllabus and the exam.
Schedule:
3 hours lectures a week from week 6 to 20 (except holidays).

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

You can find the similar information partly in English at
https:/​/​skema.ku.dk/​ku1819/​uk/​module.htm
-Select Department: “2200-Økonomisk Institut” (and wait for respond)
-Select Module:: “2200-F19; [Name of course]”
-Select Report Type: “List – Weekdays”
-Select Period: “Forår/Spring – Week 5-30”
Press: “ View Timetable”

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"
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 3
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 161
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 3 hours under invigilation
The exam assignment is given in English and must be answered in English.
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Exam registration requirements

None

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Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
The exam can be selected for external assessment.
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Exam period

Exam information:

The exam takes place at the computers of the university:

31 May 2019

 

From the middle of the semester the exact time will be available in Digital Exam portal.

 

Note: In special cases, the exam date can be changed to another day and time within the exam period.

 

More information about examination, rules, exam schedule: Master (UK) , Master (DK) and Bachelor (DK).

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Re-exam

Reexam information:

The reexam takes place at the computers of the university:

15 August 2019

 

During the reexam period the exact time can be seen in Digital Exam.

 

Note: In special cases, the written reexam can change to another day within the reexam period. Or to an oral exam incl. date, time and place, if only a few students are registered. This will be informed by the Exam Office.

 

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.

To receive the top grade, 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.