Development Economics

Code:

2ECON24

Acronym:

DE

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Economics

Instance: 2017/2018 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Agrupamento Científico de Economia
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Economics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
ME	43	Bologna Syllabus	1	-	7,5	56	202,5

Teaching language

English

Objectives

The course provides an introduction to selected issues in economic development including theory, evidence and policy. The main goal is identifying key features of the development process across countries and combining an analytical framework with rigorous empirical evidence to identify how public policies can enable economic development. The program starts with the conceptualization and measurement of development and goes through distinct topics such as poverty and income inequality, institutions and development, human resources and further issues such as technological change and structural transformation.

 

Learning outcomes and competences

Students are expected to develop skills in the following areas:
- Deep understanding of the meaning of economic development, relevant to the comprehension of the world economy and of the increasing inequality between different parts of the world.
- Development of critical thinking of students through the presentation of development problems and case studies.
- Interpretation and critical analysis of scientific texts on topics related to economic development.
- Development of team work.
- Elaboration of writen reports and oral presentation.

Working method

Presencial

Program

I. Principles and concepts of development
1. Economic development and growth: concepts and measures
2. Poverty, Inequality, and Development
3. Classical theories of economic development
4. Conteporary models of economic development
II. Problems and Policies: Domestic
5. Human resources and development
6. Environment and development
7. Innovation and technological change
III. Problems and Policies: International and Macro
8. Trade and development
9. Foreign aid
10. Balance of payments, debt and financial crisis
11. Political economy, democracy and corruption

 

 

 

Mandatory literature

Todaro, M. and Smith, S.; Economic Development, New York, Pearson, 2011 (11st edition)
Meier, G. M. and J. E. Rauch; Leading Issues in Economic Development, New York: Oxford University Pres, 2005
Nafziger, W.; Economic Development, Cambridge University Press, 2012 (5th edition)

Complementary Bibliography

Thirlwall, A. P. ; Economics of development : theory and evidence , New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2011 (9th edition)
Ray, D.; Development Economics, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998
Rodrik, D. ; One Economics, Many Recipes: Globalization, Institutions and Economic Growth, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007
Acemoglu, D. and Robinson, J. A; Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty, London: Profile Books, 2012

Teaching methods and learning activities

The course develops across a mix of theoretical and practical classes, with the presentation of concepts, theories and models being followed by examples of their application to real cases.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Teste	65,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	5,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Trabalho de investigação	10,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

Students may attend the distributed evaluation or the final exam.

To access the distributed evaluation, students must attend at least 8 lectures.

The final grade is computed according to the following formula:
Final grade = 20% * written report + 5% oral presentation + 5% * discussion + 5%* case study + 65% * average mark of two tests.

Students are approved if the final grade is not inferior to 9,5 points. It is required a minimum grade of 6,5 points in each test for approval.

 

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

General assessment regime.

Classification improvement

General assessment regime.