INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

The aim of this course is to introduce students to some of the main topics in development economics and to provide them with the basic theoretical and empirical tools to understand the determinants of economic growth and development. In particular, the course covers the following topics: meaning and measurement of economic development; poverty and income distribution; fertility and population growth; growth theories; the role of international trade, globalization and international migration; the role of institutions; education in developing countries.

1. Knowledge and understanding:
1.1 understand the multidimensional nature of development and learn how to measure different aspects of economic development
1.2 understand the determinants of economic growth
1.3 understand different indicators and measures of poverty and inequality
1.4 understand determinants and consequences of population growth
1.5 understand the theory of comparative advantage, the instruments and effects of trade policy, the impact of trade on poverty, income distribution and unemployment
1.6 understand the role of international migration for development
1.7 understand the main issues regarding education in developing countries
1.8 understand basic tools of policy evaluation

2. Ability to apply knowledge:
2.1. Identify the effects of economic determinants on growth, poverty and inequality
2.2. Apply models of economic growth to understand countries’ economic development
2.3. Interpret data and statistics about countries’ development paths
2.4. Be able to recognise the effects of policy tools which may be used to achieve specific goals in terms of development.


3. Making judgements:
3.1. Evaluate the development perspectives of countries and formulate hypotheses on their future evolution, based on data and models studied in the course.
3.2. Evaluate the efficacy of alternative policies on development outcomes.
3.3. Understand the debate on development and the debate on the nexus between development and globalization. Critically assess the empirical relevance of the notions and theories studied.

Some basics notion from Introduction to Economics

1) The development gap
2) The dynamic of poverty and inequality.
3) Population growth and the economic determinants of fertility.
4) Economic growth: the Solow model of economic growth and elements of endogenous growth theories
5) International trade: theory of comparative advantage, instruments and effects of trade policy, impact of trade on poverty, income distribution and unemployment
6) International migration and development
7) Education in developing countries
8) Institutions and Economics development
9) Policy Evaluation methods

Gerard Roland "Development Economics", Pearson, 2014

The chapters covered will be announced before the beginning of the course.

Additional material on specific topics will be made available on Moodle.

Assessment consists in a written exam of 90 minutes.

Lectures and home assignments

English

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development