No formal requirements other than those prerequisites required to be admitted to this Master's degree program, but knowledge of essential concepts of economics that are relevant to understanding development problems is highly recommended.

COURSE GOALS - This course will introduce students to some of the main concepts, theories and perspectives that inform analysis and policy making in the field of development economics. To that end, the course is divided into three parts. Part I focuses on the nature and meaning of development, its various manifestations in developing nations, and introduces the classic theories of development. Parts II and III focus on major domestic and international development problems and policies, such as economic growth, poverty and income distribution, population, migration, and urbanization.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES - Students who take this course will be familiar with the meaning and application of most of the major concepts in development economics. Most importantly, students will develop reasoning skills to draw independent conclusions as they confront development problems and real-life development policy choices, using language that convey relevant ideas and concepts clearly.

The course covers the following parts and topics:

Part I - Principles and Concepts

• Introducing Economic Development
• Comparative Economic Development
• Classic Theories of Economic Growth and Development

Part II - Domestic Development Problems and Policies

• Poverty, Inequality, and Development
• Population Growth and Economic Development
• Urbanisation and Rural-Urban Migration
• Education and Health in Economic Development
• Agricultural Transformation and Rural Development
• Environment and Development
• Development Roles of Market, State, and Civil Society

Part III - International Development Problems and Policies

• International Trade and Development
• Balance of Payments, Debt, Financial Crises, and Sustainable Recovery
• Foreign Finance, Investment, Aid, and Conflict
• Finance and Fiscal Policy for Development

(A); Todaro M. P., Smith S. C.; Economic Development; Pearson, Harlow, United Kingdom; 2020; Pages/Chapters: chs. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15; 9781292291154, 9781292291192

Lecture slides, additional readings, information about this course, and important reminders will be made available on the course website.

• The course, which has a theoretical and empirical focus, is taught using a traditional, face-to-face method with the help of slides prepared by the lecturer.

• Profit will be verified through a written examination comprised of three open-ended and three closed-ended questions. The sum of the individual response scores will determine the final grade. For closed-ended questions, one point is awarded for each correct response, and no points are awarded or deducted for ignored questions or incorrect responses. Each answer to an open-ended question will be scored (max. 9 points) according to the following criteria:

  • relevance to the question (max. 2 points);
  • thoroughness to the question (max. 2 points);
  • suggestion of relevant connections (max. 2 points);
  • synthesis (max. 1 point);
  • language usage (max. 1 point);
  • clairty of exposition (max. 1 point).

  There are no ongoing evaluations.

English is the only language used for teaching activities.

English