LOJA10287 Development Economics

Details
Responsible DepartmentInstitute of Food and Resource Economics

Earliest Possible YearBSc. 1 year to BSc. 3 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
 
Level of CourseJoint BSc and MSc
Only Bsc-level for students on the two programmes: Agricultural Economics and Environmental and Natural Resorce Economics
 
ExaminationFinal 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:
21 June 2013
 
Organisation of TeachingLectures, assignments, group work and group discussion.
 
Block PlacementBlock 4
Week Structure: B
 
Language of InstructionEnglish
 
Optional PrerequisitesIt is highly recommended to have attended courses in micro- and macroeconomics as well as International economics prior to this course, since the course is an economics course building on the knowledge obtained in these courses
 
RestrictionsNone
 
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
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. 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.

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.

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
Course literature will be announced on Absalon a few weeks before the start of the course.
 
Course Coordinator
Kenneth Thomas Baltzer, kb@foi.ku.dk, Institute of Food and Resource Economics/International Economics and Policy Unit, Phone: 353-36852
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Work Load
lectures40
theoretical exercises42
examination4
supervision0
project work42
preparation78
Colloquia0
Excursions0

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