Development Economics: Microeconomic Approach
Instructors
Abu SHONCHOY
Credits / Language / Semester
2Credits / English / Winter
Objectives/Overview
Development economics is a distinct, important and challenging branch of economics. Rather than pertaining to only efficient resource allocation and sustainable economic growth, development economics focuses on economic, political, social and institutional issues, such as education, health, credit, technology, migration, aid and governance, to contribute to the improvements in the standard of living of poor people in developing nations. In this context, this course has been designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of students to understand some of the crucial problems faced by the developing countries and will help students to learn and engage in the ongoing debates and discussions in these issues. In doing so, this course will employ classic models of development economics as well as contemporary empirical analysis to motivate the discussion and providing better insights.
Keywords
Development Economics,Micro-economic Approach
Starting from Winter semester (2013/10/01) Every Monday, period 4
Schedule
Starting from Winter semester (2013/10/01) Every Monday, period 4.
Teaching Methods
a) Class lecture;
b) Interactive in class participation, debates and discussions;
c) Reading assignments;
d) Active participation in class presentations;
e) Case studies.
Grading
a) Active class participation (5%)
b) Weekly presentation (15%)
c) Short Quizzes (40%)
d) Final Exam (40%)
Required Textbooks
Todaro, Michael P. and Stephen C. Smith (2011), Economic Development, Eleventh Edition, Addison Wesley
Reference Books
Easterly, William (2002), The Elusive Quest for Growth by, MIT Press
Ray, D (1998), Development Economics, Princeton University Press
Basu, K (1997), Analytical Development Economics, MIT Press
Sen, Amartya (2000), Development as Freedom, New York: Anchor Books. Banerjee et. al. ed. (2006), Understanding Poverty, Oxford University Press.
Smith, Stephen C. (2003), Case Studies in Economic Development, Addison Wesley Longman.
Banerjee and Duflo (2012), Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty, Public Affairs books, New York.
Notes on Taking the Course
Some previous knowledge of Micro-economics and Econometrics will be beneficial for better understanding of the course
Related Websites
https://sites.google.com/site/abushonchoy/Teaching/development-economics-micro-approach
Miscellaneous Information
Each student would be required to select one case study to be presented in the class. Student should prepare his/her own presentation with additional material and information along with the text book materials. The performance of the presentation depends on presentation style (5%), content of the presentation (5%) and ability to response to the questions (5%).