This course examines the central issues in economic development, including access to finance and entrepreneurship, poverty traps, gender and development, foreign aid, institutions, and health.
Knowledge
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to
- understand the barriers to entrepreneurship in low and middle income countries.
- master the macroeconomic and microeconomic theories of development, such as role of institutions in development.
- recognise the various extensive and intensive margins that affects individual and household behavior, for example, in resource allocation, labor supply, and investment decisions.
Skills
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to
- learn about the empirical methods used in the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of development policies
- analyze and interpret econometric models in identifying causal effects of policy interventions that are targeted at improving the livelihoods of the poor
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing research and measures of economic development, such as economic growth,poverty, and income inequality.
General competencies
Upon completion of the course, students will
- have hands-on experience with designing a hypothetical randomized-control trial
- develop communication and presentation skills through group work and presentations.