A basic knowledge of economic and statistical concepts is recommended, but no specific prerequisites are required beyond those for admission to this Master's degree program.

GOALS - The aim of this module is to introduce students to the economic analysis of inequality and poverty. It covers core economic theories and empirical approaches to understanding disparities in income and well-being, along with their implications for individuals and overall economic development. A key focus is on the measurement of poverty and inequality, including commonly used indicators and their limitations. Students will also explore the consequences of persistent disparities for social cohesion and inclusive growth. Finally, the module examines the effectiveness of public policies and institutional interventions aimed at reducing poverty and inequality, with a critical look at their design, implementation, and impact across different contexts.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES - By the end of the module, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the key concepts, theories, and measurement tools related to poverty and inequality;
• Interpret and critically assess empirical evidence on inequality and poverty using national and international data sources;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of economic policies aimed at reducing disparities in income and well-being;
• Apply analytical reasoning to real-world development issues, formulating independent and well-supported judgments;
• Communicate well-structured ideas and policy implications clearly and effectively, both in written and oral form.

The module covers the following topics:

• Introduction to Inequality and Poverty
• The Empirical Relevance of Inequality and Poverty
• Defining and Measuring Poverty and Inequality
• Poverty and Inequality in Data: Global, Regional, National, and Local Trends
• Overview of Theories on Poverty and Inequality
• Policy Tools: Redistribution, Pre-distribution, and the Role of Social Protection Systems
• Inequality in Education: Evidence and Policy Options
• Limits of Redistribution: Why Policies Often Fail in Emerging Democracies

(A); Presentation materials from class lectures

(A); Todaro M. P., Smith S. C.; Economic Development; Pearson, Harlow, United Kingdom; 2020; Pages/Chapters: ch. 5; 9781292291154, 9781292291192

(C); Schettino F., Clementi F.; Crisis, Inequalities and Poverty. The Structural Inequities of Capitalism, from Lehman Brothers to Covid-19; Haymarket Books, Chicago, IL; 2023; Pages/Chapters: ch. 4; 9798888900116

Students are encouraged to regularly check the course website for ongoing information. Lecture slides and additional teaching materials will be accessible via the module’s Microsoft Teams channel. The password required to access the materials can be requested from the instructor, exclusively via the institutional UniMC email address.

• The lectures, which combine both theoretical and empirical content, follow a traditional, instructor-led format and are supported by slides prepared by the lecturer.

• The final exam consists of a single written test, which also includes questions related to the "Development" module. Students are required to answer a total of 6 questions: 3 open-ended and 3 multiple-choice. The final grade will be determined by the sum of the scores earned on each individual question.

  Each correct answer to the multiple-choice questions is worth 1 point. No points are lost for incorrect or unanswered questions.

  Each open-ended question is worth up to 9 points, based on the following evaluation criteria:

  • relevance to the question (max. 2 points);
  • completeness of the answer (max. 2 points);
  • ability to establish appropriate connections (max. 2 points);
  • conciseness (max. 1 point);
  • proper use of language (max. 1 point);
  • clarity of exposition (max. 1 point).

  No midterm assessments are scheduled.

English is the only language used for teaching activities.

English