| Responsible Department | Institute of Food and Resource Economics | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Earliest Possible Year | BSc. 1 year to BSc. 3 year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | One block | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Credits | 7.5 (ECTS) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Level of Course | Joint BSc and MSc | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Examination | Final Examination written examination Written Exam in Lecturehall All aids allowed Description of Examination: 4-hours written examination in course curriculum Weight: 100% 7-point scale, no second examiner Dates of Exam: 22 June 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Organisation of Teaching | Lectures, assignments, group work and group discussion. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Block Placement | Block 4 Week Structure: B | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Language of Instruction | English | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Optional Prerequisites | Samfundsøkonomi (Macro Economics) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Restrictions | None | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Content | |||||||||||||||||||||
| The central themes in this course include: . The role and importance of the agricultural sector in economic transformation. . The relationship between national and international economic growth and policies. . The socio-political consequences of different growth patterns. . The role of institutions and policies in the development process . Project evaluation and selection: cost-benefit analysis. Various development paradigms are introduced and analysed along with different development approaches such as export-led growth, import substitution, structural adjustment and neoliberalism. Attention is paid to foreign trade, foreign debt and international aid. On the sectoral level, the course deals with the labour market (including population issues) and the capital market. On the project level the course introduces various economic tools for project assessment and management. A thorough discussion of the pros and cons of market forces versus various planning techniques in developing countries will also be dealt with. Special attention is devoted to the micro and macro aspects of agriculture, food supply and food aid. The course is designed to meet the needs of students who are interested in understanding the conditions under which 2/3 of the world population live, and in learning about the barriers to, and achievements of, development. The course is essential to anybody planning a career in international organisations or in export companies that deal with developing countries. A broad understanding of the socio-economic conditions in developing countries is also recommended for students who are planning to undertake a purely natural science research project in these countries. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Teaching and learning Methods | |||||||||||||||||||||
| The teaching is based on lectures that introduce the central themes in the curriculum. These central topics will be further elaborated upon in assignments and group work where the students will read, present and discuss short texts of relevant and topical problems and controversies. Furthermore there will be both theoretical and practical exercises in witch the students can develop their understanding of the issues dealt with in the curriculum. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning Outcome | |||||||||||||||||||||
| The aim of the course is to provide the students with an overall understanding of the central economic issues related to underdevelopment, poverty and inequality, and to ensure that economic development and growth are looked upon from a wide socio-economic global perspective. The course also provides students with working knowledge of the technique of project evaluation in developing countries. After completing the course the student should be able to: Knowledge: - Deeply comprehend the complexity and inter-disciplinary nature of underdevelopment and economic growth. - Become familiar with basic economic concepts, paradigms, and policy tools related to economic development. - Undertake simple cost benefit analysis of projects in developing countries paying special attention to market distortions and the distinction between private and social cost and benefits. Skills: - Apply theory-based tools to analyse socio-economic problems and evaluate policy options - Communicate knowledge regarding problem and success areas in development theory and efforts. - Develop communication and discussion skills of economic and ethical issues related to development and underdevelopment. Competence: - Work effectively in a group and cooperate with fellow students in reading, analysing, criticising and presenting economic texts. - Develop abilities to analyse socio-economic problems and trace the multi-dimensional aspects of these problems. - Develop and nourish abilities to see the world from the perspective of the less privileged people and appreciate the complexity of the problems which they face. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Literature | |||||||||||||||||||||
| - Thirlwall, A.: Growth and Development. *9*th edition. Palgrave Macmillan, 20*11*. Moreover, there will be used selected articles, extracts and book chapters from amongst others: - Siggle, E. (2005): Development Economics: A Policy Analysis Approach. Ashgate Publishing Co. - Ray D. (1998): Development Economics. Princeton UP. - Curry S. & J. Weiss (2000): Project Analysis in Developing Countries. Macmillan. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Coordinator | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Henrik Hansen, henrik.hansen@foi.dk, Institute of Food and Resource Economics/International Economics and Policy Unit, Phone: 353-36840 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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