MSc Global Development (Poverty and Inequality) / Course details

The course unit aims to provide a thorough review and critical assessment of contemporary issues in economic development, covering the main analytical approaches, empirical evidence and policy issues in development economics.

Topics covered include: 
1. Overview of Contemporary Issues in Economic Development 
2. Economic Growth: Theory and Experience (including neoclassical, institutional, historical perspectives) 
3. The Growth-Inequality-Poverty Triangle. Income inequality versus inequality of opportunity. 
4. Rural-Urban Migration, Industrialization and Urban Labour Market Informality; Urbanization with and without Industrialization 
5. Rural Development, Food Security, Value Chains 
6. Credit Markets and Insurance 
7. International Trade and Technological Upgrading
 

Lectures (2 hours a week) and seminars/tutorials

Understand and apply the main theories and models of economic development

Understand the role of markets and institutions in facilitating economic development

Develop analytical skills relevant to the assessment of these different theories and models of economic development, including inference from economic models and empirical data;

Search, access, and examine the main sources of economic and social data relevant to economic development

Apply the knowledge and skills acquired to the study of the main forces sustaining and limiting economic development today, and the design of effective policy interventions.

Written feedback will be provided via VLE (Turnitin) within 15 working days after submission.

There is a long reading list, which mostly consists of academic articles.

However, here are some indicative textbooks:

Armendariz, B. and J. Morduch.(2010). The Economics of Microfinance, The MIT press.

Banerjee and Dufflo (2011). Poor Economics. Pearson.

Beck, Maimbo, Faye and Triki (2011). Financing Africa. The World Bank.

Banerjee, Benabou and Mookherjee (2006), Understanding Poverty, Oxford University Press.

De Janvry, Gordillo, Platteau, Sadoulet (2001). Access to Land, Rural Poverty and Public Action, Oxford University Press.

Easterly, W. (2001). The Elusive Quest for Growth, The MIT Press. 

Fafchamps, M. (2004). Market Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The MIT Press

Hoff, Braverman and Stiglitz (1993). The Economics of Rural Organization, Oxford University Press.

Ray, D. 1999. Development Economics, Oxford University Press.

Information

Timetable