AØKA08031U Development Economics (p)

Volume 2025/2026
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’).

 

The course is open to:

  • Exchange and Guest students from abroad
  • Credit students from Danish Universities
  • Open University students
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.
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 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.
Schedule:
3 hours lectures a week from week 6 to 20 (except holidays).
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 161
  • Exam
  • 3
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Collective
Credit
7.5 ECTS
Type of assessment
On-site written exam, 3 hours under invigilation
Type of assessment details
ITX-exam in the exam venues of the university.
Examination prerequisites

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

Aid
No aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Exam period

Exam information:

The examination date can be found in the exam schedule  here

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

 

Re-exam

Same as the ordinary exam.

 

Reexam information:

The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule  here

More information in Digital Exam in August

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.