Department of Economics & International Development, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
EC30025 Applied development economics |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: CW 50%, EX 50% |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take EC20155 or take EC30163 |
|
Aims: The unit provides an in-depth understanding of selected issues affecting the economies of low and middle income countries. One of the aims of the course is to extend students understanding of how empirical evidence is used, how it is estimated and what implications empirical evidence has for policy makers. Prior experience of econometric methods is not necessary for the course since we are more concerned with how estimations are interpreted and how robust findings actually are.
Learning Outcomes: Students will have a clearer sense of the relevance and limitations of economic theories and empirical evidence in modern development economics. Improved skills in using library resources to research a particula country or area. Skills: * Ability to apply theory (of economic development) to selected country experience. * Ability to review critically empirical research relating to specific countries and policy issues, then to define and then answer a question relating to this material. * Ability to review critically and to synthesise material from different schools of thought within economics and the social sciences more widely. Content: There are 8 topics covered in the unit: poverty and inequality; pro-poor growth; trade and development; labour markets in developing countries; wage and employment discrimination in developing countries; migration and remittances; aid effectiveness. The unit is based on contemporary readings of relevant journals and some key international policy publications. |