Teaching
Information for students
Development Economics at the University of Tokyo (a portal site of development economics network at the University of Tokyo)
Recommended courses taught by my collaborators at Public Policy (not listed on the portal site)
Mayuko Onuki, Behavioral Science for Public Policy, A1A2 Term
Keitaro Aoyagi, International Development Policy and Evaluation, A1A2 Term (in Japanese)
Public Policy Students
I organize three development microeconomics courses for a wide range of students who are interested in international development: Development Economics: Microeconomic Approach (DEM), Case Study (Development Economics and Policy I) (DEP1), and Case Study (Development Economics and Policy II) (DEP2). DEM is a lecture course which covers the basic concepts and methods of development microeconomics using an excellent textbook: de Janvry, A. and E. Sadoulet (2021). Development Economics: Theory and Practice.
I also offer another lecture, Environmental Economics (EE). EE is for a broad range of students who are interested in the environment and natural resources, including those who have no economics background.
Economics Graduate Students
I offer three lecture courses: Development Economics: Microeconomic Approach (DEM) (cross-listed with Public Policy), Advanced Development Microeconomics (ADM), and Environmental Economics (EE) (cross-listed with Public Policy). In ADM, I presume your familiarity with materials covered in de Janvry & Sadoulet (2021). If you are not familiar with those materials, I would suggest that you first take DEM. DEM is for a wide range of students who are interested in international development. ADM is an advanced course for students who seek research career and are designing their own research. You are very welcome to take DEP1 and DEP2.
My contribution has appeared in a new book "Future Exploration 2050 (Mirai Tankyu 2050)" (in Japanese)
Keizai Seminar, e-Book no.3, 2018 (in Japanese) has a feature on development economics including my tripartite talk.
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Courses
Advanced Development Microeconomics
Economics Graduate and Public Policy Doctoral, S1S2 Term, Wed. 1st period, IAR 516, Syllabus, Readings
The objective of this course (ADM) is (1) to have a good understanding of the literature of development microeconomics, and (2) to develop a good research idea and design building on the literature. The course is for students who seek research career and are designing their own research. The course mainly discusses empirical papers on selected topics. Both experimental and quasi-experimental studies are covered. Good understanding of graduate-level econometrics and program evaluation methods is presumed. Students write referee reports, conduct a replication project, and develop a proposal for their own empirical research. This lecture course is offered in English.
Prerequisite: Graduate-level microeconomics, graduate-level econometrics, and upper-division undergraduate-level development economics are prerequisite. Graduate-level microeconomics/econometrics mean those offered in Graduate School of Economics, not Graduate School of Public Policy.
Development Economics: Microeconomic Approach
Public Policy and Economics Graduate, A1A2 Term, Tue. 1st period, IAR 1222E, Syllabus (2023 version for reference)
The objective of this course (DEM) is to understand the basic concepts and methods of development microeconomics. It is designed for a wide range of students who are interested in international development. It covers development, poverty, inequality, vulnerability, social protection, demography, health, education, program evaluation, and finance. This lecture course is offered in English.
Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent registration of (1) Microeconomics, Microeconomics for Public Policy, or equivalent, and (2) Econometrics, Econometrics for Public Policy, Statistical Methods, or equivalent are prerequisite. Familiarity with Stata would be an asset.
Required textbook: de Janvry, A. and E. Sadoulet (2021). Development Economics: Theory and Practice. London and New York: Routledge.
Environmental Economics
Public Policy and Economics Graduate, A1A2 Term, Wed. 1st period, IAR 1222E, Syllabus (2021 version for reference)
The objective of this course (EE) is to understand the essential concepts and methods of environmental and natural resource economics. It is designed for a broad range of students who are interested in the environment and natural resources, including those who have no economics background. It covers cost-benefit analysis; environmental valuation; market failure; non-renewable resources; renewable resources; pollution; environmental policies; climate change; environment and development. This lecture course is offered in English.
Prerequisite: None
Required textbook: Keohane, M. N. O. and S. M. Olmstead (2016). Markets and the Environment. Washington, D.C.: Island Press.
Case Study (Development Economics and Policy I)
Public Policy, S1S2 Term, Tue. 3rd period, IAR 1214B, Syllabus
In this course (DEP1), we see what major insights have recently emerged from development economics (e.g., RCT, causal inference) and how they matter for development policy. Students are expected (1) to acquire basic knowledge and skills to read and discuss policy and research papers in development economics; (2) to develop a research proposal on development; and (3) to develop presentation, discussion, and research writing skills. The course consists of a quick review of program evaluation methods with a strong practical focus and students’ presentation and discussion about published empirical work and their own research idea and proposal. Both experimental and quasi-experimental studies are covered. This seminar course is offered in English.
Although it is advisable to take this course after taking DEM or equivalent, it is not a prerequisite. Although familiarity with basic econometrics is a big asset, it is not required. Students who have no background of economics or quantitative analysis but are eager to learn evidence-based policy making (EBPM) in international development are welcome.
Prerequisite: None
Required textbook: Angrist, J. D. and J.-S. Pischke (2014). Mastering 'Metrics: The Path from Cause to Effect. Princeton University Press.
Case Study (Development Economics and Policy II)
Public Policy, A1A2 Term, Tue. 4th period, IAR 1213A, Syllabus (2023 version for reference)
The objective of this course (DEP2) is (1) to develop a research project on development; (2) to acquire skills to analyze micro data; and (3) to develop presentation, discussion, and research writing skills. The course mainly consists of students’ presentation and discussion about their own research and related papers. This seminar course is offered in English.
Prerequisite: Econometrics, Econometrics for Public Policy, Statistical Methods, or equivalent is prerequisite. Familiarity with econometrics and program evaluation methods reviewed in DEP1 is presumed. Familiarity with Stata is presumed.
If you have not taken DEP1, you need to submit a preliminary research proposal before the second class (see the syllabus). Based on your preliminary proposal, I will tell you if you can join the course.
Required textbook: None
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Advising
Economics Master Students
If you are a first-year master student in Economics and interested in becoming my advisee, please send me an email before the guidance period. You need to write a thesis in English. I expect that you take Advanced Development Microeconomics (ADM).
Public Policy Master Students
If you are a master student in Public Policy and considering the possibility of writing Research Paper or Thesis under my supervision, please send me an email two weeks before the deadline of registration. I expect that you have taken/are taking at least one of my courses: ADM, DEM, EE, DEP1, and DEP2. You need to write a paper in English. If you are ready to write a satisfactory paper, you can submit a title of your paper in due course. Good research work can be extended to Thesis at the time when you submit a title of your paper.
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