Introductory description

The Development Economics module will provide students with the analytical tools and the knowledge to study and understand aspects of economic development in developing countries.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Topics change annually. Topics recently covered in this module include:
Empirical tools for development economics; misallocation; poverty traps; firms; chiefs; audits; migration; farms; affirmative action.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Subject Knowledge and Understanding:...demonstrate they have the theoretical and empirical tools and knowledge to analyse the problems and particularities of the functioning of markets and institutions in developing countries. This will help analyse the impact on economic development of alternative policies and institutions. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Two hours of weekly lectures. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Essay, replication assignment, participation, independent reading, and an empirical assignment.
• Subject Knowledge and Understanding:...have some appreciation of how development economics can contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of economic policy to ameliorate poverty and promote economic development. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures and readings. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Essay, replication assignment, participation, independent reading and an empirical assignment.

Indicative reading list

Please see Talis Aspire link for most up to date list.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Students will have the opportunity to develop skills in:
Analytical thinking and communication
Analytical reasoning
Critical thinking
Creative thinking
Problem-solving
Abstraction
Policy evaluation
Analysis of incentives
Concepts of Simultaneity and Endogeneity
Analysis of optimisation
Understanding of Uncertainty and Incomplete Information

Transferable skills

Students will have the opportunity to develop:
Research skills
Numeracy and quantitative skills
Data-based skills
IT skills
Written communication skills
Oral communication skills
Team work skills
Mathematical, statistical and data-based research skills