290061 Studies in Development Economics

Details
Responsible DepartmentInstitute of Food and Resource Economics

Earliest Possible YearMSc. 1 year to MSc. 2 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
 
Level of CourseMSc
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

oral examination


No aid allowed

Description of Examination: Individual oral examination based on project report and course curriculum. The project is done during the course and it is possible for the students to do the project and write the report individually or in groups

Weight: Curriculum and project report: 100 %



7-point scale, internal examiner
 
Organisation of TeachingLectures, project work, and execises
 
Block PlacementBlock 2
Week Structure: A
 
Language of InstructionEnglish
 
Optional Prerequisites290006 Development Economics
 
RestrictionsNone
 
Course Content
This course will cover the microeconomics of development and will focus on approaches to understanding the behavior of households and firms, and the functioning of markets and institutions in developing countries. As defelopment is a field with a strong empirical tradition most of the course will be centered on discussing and evaluating the empirical strategies used in the literature. Key topics in micro development will be covered including:
(i) Household economics,
(ii) Health and nutrition,
(iii) Human capital and education,
(iv) Land markets and property rights,
(v) Savings and credit,
(vi) Risk and insurance,
(vii) Social networks and learning,
(viii) Institutions and corruption,
(ix) Poverty and poverty alleviation,
(x) Impact evaluation methods.
 
Teaching and learning Methods
Traditional lecturing, empirical exercises and project work. Each student/group will have time to present and to discuss the project findings with other course participants during the final part of the course.
 
Learning Outcome
The main goal is to equip students with the tools which would enable them to deeply understand, analyze and follow the implications of various development related policies and controversies and to undertake sound micro economic analysis of development questions.

After completing the course the student should be able to

Knowledge:
- Deeply comprehend the main concepts and issues relevant to microeconomic problems of less developed countries.
- Diagnose and undertake own evaluations of presented theoretical models and be able to present the models' empirical prediction.

Skills:
- Apply theory-based analytical tools to discuss, understand and provide solutions to development related problems.
- Be able to present empirical results in a precise and consistent manor, as well as demonstrate a thorough understanding of the identification problems faced when carrying out empirical work.

Competence:
- Develop abilities to analyze problems related to development with the use of up-to-date economic and econometric tools.
- Work in a group and develop abilities to discuss, criticize and deepen economic texts, and work individually to acquire the skills of presenting and defending ideas, as well as to formulate problems and address them appropriately in a written essay.
 
Course Literature
Pranab Bardhan and Christhopher Udry. "Development Microeconomics", Oxford University Press, 1999.

A selection of academic articles that will be made available on the course homepage.
 
Course Coordinator
Henrik Hansen, henrik.hansen@foi.dk, Institute of Food and Resource Economics/International Economics and Policy Unit, Phone: 353-36840
John Rand, jra@foi.dk, Institute of Food and Resource Economics/International Economics and Policy Unit, Phone: 353-36865
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Work Load
lectures44
theoretical exercises30
preparation87
project work44
examination1

206