The Economics of Developing Countries (326-0-20)

Instructors

Lori Beaman

Meeting Info

Frances Searle Building 1441: Mon, Wed, Fri 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

This course examines the underlying reasons why many countries are currently underdeveloped and the implications for individuals' well-being. The focus of the course is the study of microeconomic issues in development. We will ask such questions as "Do the poor under-invest in education and health?" and "Can public policy be used to improve the well-being of people living in developing countries?" Other topics include credit and microfinance, informal and formal insurance, and political economy. We will combine insights from economic theory and empirical analysis using data from low income countries to investigate these questions.

Registration Requirements

ECON 281,ECON 310-1, ECON 310-2

Learning Objectives

The goals of this course are primarily (i) to engage students with concepts of economics that relate to the everyday lives of people in developing countries and to (ii) leverage tools from econometrics to apply them to important policy questions related to poverty and development.

Teaching Method

"Two lectures a week.Two 80-minute lectures a week.
"

Evaluation Method

Evaluation will be based on one mid-term, one final, and four assignments

Class Materials (Required)

Course requires use of Stata

Class Materials (Suggested)

Portfolios of the Poor, Collins, etal., 2009 (ISBN: 978-0691148199); journal articles available online (using VPN or on-campus connection); and e-reserve selections of textbooks (available through Canvas).

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for Economics Majors & Minors until the end of preregistration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisites. Pre-requisite: Students must have taken ECON 310-1 or MMSS 211-1 and ECON 281 or ECON 381-1 or MATH 386-1 or IEMS 304 or STAT 350 to successfully enroll in this course.