Module description
The aims of this course are to:
To understand the use of formal microeconomic modelling in development.
To understand the links between formal models and empirics.
To gain knowledge of the seminal debates in development
Assessment details
3-hour online timed exam (100%)
Educational aims & objectives
- To develop students' knowledge of the key microeconomic issues facing developing economies. - To deepen students' familiarity with modern analytical and empirical approaches to development economics with an emphasis on the most recent advances in the field.
Learning outcomes
Successful students will be able to demonstrate: - A systematic knowledge of the key issues facing developing countries. - Advanced knowledge of the main theoretical approaches to growth, poverty traps, knowledge of how markets function in developing countries. - Advanced knowledge of historical approaches to development emphasising institutions. - Advanced knowledge of political economy issues particular to developing countries.
Teaching pattern
Provisional Lecture Schedule
Lecture 1: Overview, Leading development indicators, measuring GDP, relationships between per capita income and other development indicators.
Lecture 2: Growth Theories (based on factor accumulation)
Lecture 3: Solow model with technical progress and the convergence debate.
Lecture 4: Institutions vs Geography to explain growth.
Lecture 5: Structural Change models: the Lewis model and the Harris Todaro model.
Lecture 6: Growth and inequality.
Lecture 7: Credit markets in developing countries:
Lecture 8: Microfinance: Theory and Practice.
Lecture 9-10: Behavioural Development Economics.