Welcome to the website for Economics 347, Economic Development (fall 2025)! I'll also be teaching this in spring 2026.

More specific course information will be available on Canvas.

Around the world, many countries (Malawi, for example) have income per person of approximately $500 per year. In the U.S., income per person is about $70,000. What explains this difference, and what can countries like Malawi do to increase standards of living for their citizens? This income disparity is relatively new - five centuries ago, average standards of living were much more similar. These questions underlie the study of economic growth and development.

In this course, you'll become familiar with the tools that economists use to study economic growth and development; the current state of theoretical and empirical research in the field; and the policy implications of that research. Specific topics we'll cover include history (the Industrial Revolution, colonialism, civil wars), democratization and development, labor and  migration, health, corruption, natural resources, education, and foreign aid. In addition to the general research, you'll follow one country throughout the semester, analyzing how well the the economic theories and general economic trends discussed in class apply to that country.

Want more motivation? Watch this video (Hans Rosling's 200 Countries, 200 Years, 4 Minutes - from 2012 but a great overview!)
Questions? Feel free to email: jminier at miamioh dot edu

There is not a required textbook for this class, although there will be one assigned book (you'll have a choice among several, all are "trade paperbacks" that you can find for under $25) and other assigned readings.