Overview of Course Structure, Prerequisites, Text, Readings
Overall Course Structure: This
class provides an introduction to the theories and policies that have
become central to the study of development economics. The aim of
the course is to introduce students to the exciting and evolving field
of development economics. By the end of this class you should
have a solid understanding of many (not all!) of its important
concepts, theories, and empirical foundations. Throughout the course we
focus on the micro foundations of the big macro picture and combine
economic theory and data analysis. While I will on occasion
discuss case studies, a thorough empirical history of economic
developments is noP the central focus of the course.
The first part of the class tries to provide a background on the key
elements of development economics. Here we discuss the major
theories of economic development that have been put forth since
1950. The second part of the class examines measurement
issues. In the third part of the class we examine selected topics
in depth. These may include migration. labor markets, corporate
responsibility, environment, liberalization, planning (input-output,
choice of techniques), famines, microcredit, rural land and labor
markets, population, child labor, global standards, brain drain, NGO's
and decentralization, foreign aid. Other topics may also be discussed.
Course Prerequisites:
Development Economics will be taught assuming a complete and
thorough understanding of the material contained in: Intermediate
Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and, of
course, the pre-requisites to these three classes. There are NO pre-requisite overrides. These
prerequisites are taken seriously and you are expected to have mastered
the material covered in these courses before taking this course. If you
have not, please drop this class immediately. It is strongly suggested
that you review the material at the beginning of this course.
Text and other Readings: You do not need to
purchase a text. Material for the course is online and free.
A "text" for initial orientation and very basic background reading -- Beyond Economic Growth [BEG]
-- is at an elementary level, but it describes and highlights many of
the main issues in development economics quite well. You will
find it useful to read in the first two-three weeks of class.
IMPORTANT: There is now an optional text available for purchase
or rental if you wish. Please see: the syllabus web page on text vs. no text.
The other readings for the class are at various levels, some are much more difficult.
Often my treatment of topics will
be different from that of the readings. The readings should be
viewed as complements to the lectures, not as substitutes.