ECON 261: Economics of Developing Countries
This course introduces you to key areas of development economics by explaining why some nations are poor and others rich. By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the economic conditions in developing countries; to know the predictions of economic theories about what can be done in the developing world in order to foster economic development.
There will be three main parts to the course. The first part will concern concepts, measurements and theories. We will begin the semester by defining some key concepts of economic development, economic growth, inequality and poverty. We will discuss the measurement of these concepts and present some theories of economic growth.
The second part will concern population and human capital. Human capital components such as health and education are important determinants of productivity and fertility. We will address the following questions: What prevents poor households from acquiring more education? What can be done in order to improve health and education levels in developing countries?
The third part will concern economic policies for development. We will close the semester by examining internal and external economic policies that are useful in changing the economic performance of developing countries.
Lectures: Monday and Thursday, 15:30 to 17:00. Room: EME 1101
Syllabus
Required Textbook: D. H. Perkins, S. Radelet, D. L. Lindauer and S. Block, Economics of Development, 7th Edition, Norton 2012.
Online Study Space
Grades
First Midterm Test
Second Midterm Test
Midterm_Test_1_ECON_261_Instructions
Midterm_Test_2_ECON_261_Instructions
Final_Exam_ECON_261_Instructions
Class Schedule, Readings And Exercises
- Topic 1: Introduction
- Topic 2: Economic Development
Readings: Textbook, Ch.1&2
Exercises on Economic Development
Solutions to Exercises on Economic Development
- Topic 3: Economic Growth
Readings: Textbook, Ch.3
Exercises on Economic Growth
Solutions to Exercises on Economic Growth
- Topic 4: Theories Of Economic Growth
Readings: Textbook, Ch.4
Exercises on Theories of Economic Growth
Solutions to Exercises on Theories of Economic Growth
- Topic 5: Inequality And Poverty
Readings: Textbook, Ch.6
Exercises on Inequality and Poverty
Solutions to Exercises on Inequality and Poverty
- Topic 6: Population
Readings: Textbook, Ch.7
Exercises on Population
Data_Topic6_Population
Data_Topic6_Population2
Solutions to Exercises on Population
- Topic 7: Education
Readings: Textbook, Ch.8
Exercises on Education
Solutions to Exercises on Education
- Topic 8: Health
Readings: Textbook, Ch.9
- Topic 9: Investment And Savings
Readings: Textbook, Ch.10
- Topic 10: Agriculture And Development
Readings: Textbook, Ch.16
- Topic 11: Foreign Debt And Financial Crises
Readings: Textbook, Ch.13
- Topic 12: Foreign Aid
Readings: Textbook 2, Ch.12
Exercises on Topics 9; 11 and 12
Solutions to Exercises on Topics 9; 11 and 12