AECO 25A23 - Development economics

This course will provide an introduction to some of the main questions in development economics. Broadly speaking, we will try and answer two questions: why are some countries (and within countries, some people) poor and what can be done about it? We will present empirical evidence as well as theoretical frameworks. We will adopt a micro and a macro perspective. We will discuss the role of different actors, from households to firms to governments. We will cover a wide range of issues, from communicable diseases to gender inequality to environmental degradation.

A course in micro-economics, covering for example utility maximization models and market equilibrium.

A course in statistics or econometrics, covering for example hypothesis testing and regression models.

The students will be evaluated with a mid-term (50%) and a final exam (50%). With a 5% bonus for class participation.