• University of Exeter Business School
• Module

Development Economics

Module description

An advanced course in development economics you will be given a thorough exposition of concepts, policy issues and controversies on the causes and characteristics of the wealth and poverty of nations. These series of lectures, without being exhaustive, will draw on classic themes in the subject and will cover recent developments in the literature. It will emphasise the importance of political economy factors, missing and incomplete markets in developing countries and the systemic effects this has on the process of economic development.

After an introductory part on concept and theories of underdevelopment, the course will focus on distribution and poverty, institutions, human resources (health, education and population), conflict and behavioural factors affecting development and gender. You will also learn about cash transfers, corruption and governance.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

This is a very theoretical module that is internationally relevant, because it deals with development economics mainly in developing countries using examples from various counties.

Employability

You will have the opportunity to develop your writing and logical thinking skills.

Sustainability

All of the resource materials are available through the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

The assessment structure on this module is subject to review and may change before the new academic year. Any changes will be clearly communicated to you before the start of term and if you wish to change module as a result of this you can do so in the module change window.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module seeks to provide an introduction to the theories, policy issues, controversies and progress in raising standards of living in the developing world. The analysis draws on recent economic theory, without neglecting history, and emphasises the importance of political economy factors, missing and incomplete markets in developing countries and the systemic effects this has on the process of economic development. Emphasis is also placed on the importance of carefully using empirical evidence to inform policy discussions.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. apply economic theory to policy issues concerning economic development in low-income countries
• 2. have a professional economist's understanding of key controversies

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. demonstrate a knowledge of a wide variety of statistical sources and policy issues concerning developing countries
• 4. present and defend an advanced economic argument in a clear and succinct manner

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. achieve or maintain very high standards of grammar and logical thinking

Syllabus plan

• Development: introduction, concepts, and comparisons
• Poverty Traps
• Financial Markets in Developing Countries Education and health
• Micro finance
• Property rights
• Gender and Development
• Conflict and development traps
• Social Networks and Informal Institutions
• Public Goods Provision
• Education and Health Provision
• Early life interventions
• Entrepreneurship
• Cash Transfers
• Behavioural Interventions
• Corruption and Governance

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Ray D., (1998), Development Economics, Princeton University Press.
Banerjee, A.V. and E. Duflo, (2011) Poor Economics. Penguin

Key words search

Development Economics, Third year, Microeconomics