GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This is an introductory course to the field of Economic Development. This course aims to understand the main issues of development economics, analyze the economic problems of developing countries, and discuss strategies for achieving inclusive growth and reducing poverty and extreme inequality. This understanding will help the students answer key questions: Why do some countries achieve high levels of economic development and others do not? What are the policies governments can implement to change the growth path of their countries? This course will start from a ``macro'' perspective and later introduce a ``micro'' viewpoint of the problems to explore the social-economic factors that affect economic development. This course will cover economic growth, agricultural development, food security, population, education, migration, poverty reduction, informality, and more.

1. Understand: (1) why some emerging countries have been successful in catching up with rich countries in per capita income, while others are let behind, (2) why half of humanity remains poor, and many of them are living with less than $2 per day, and (3) why environmental degradation and resource exploitation are commonly associated with income growth.
2. Understand: what can be done to promote development through policies. Learn to analyze the economic and social impacts of specific initiatives.
3. Use data to conduct development analyses such as growth diagnostics, poverty assessments, impact analysis of development projects.
4. Encourage students to explore alternative paths of economic development that promote the well-being of individuals and communities.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

The course will be mainly conducted through lectures where we will study theory and applications. Students are encouraged and expected to participate in classes. Depending on the number of students we may have presentations or a final essay. Feedback will be given to students at the end of each presentation/essay. Please note that the teaching approach may vary according to the established sanitation level and following the university rules in this regard.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction and Overview

Introduction and Overview
- Why study development economics?

2[対面/face to face]：Growth and Development

-Distribution and Economic Growth: Theory and Evidence.
-Inequality and growth: Theory and evidence.

3[対面/face to face]：Theory 01. Exogenous Economic Growth Theory

What makes countries grow? What are some of the characteristics of high growth economies?. Harrod-Domar and Solow Neoclassical Growth Model.

4[対面/face to face]：Theory 02. Endogenous Economic Growth Theory

What are the critics to the Exogenous Growth Theory models? Models: AK, Cass, Romer, and Lucas growth theories.

5[対面/face to face]：Theory 03. Non-classical Economic Growth Theory

What are the critics to the Endogenous Growth Theory models? Demand side growth theories. Trade and economic growth.

6[対面/face to face]：Theory 04. Economic Convergence

What is economic convergence? Absolute Economic Convergence. Relative Economic Convergence. Clubs of Convergence. Middle-Income Trap.

7[対面/face to face]：Review & Midterm Exam

Assess students' understanding of the 1st half of course materials (Week 1-6)

8[対面/face to face]：Inequality and Poverty

Definitions of inequality. Definitions of poverty. Income mobility: Theory and evidence. Social welfare: Theory and evidence. How is inequality related to poverty and development?

9[対面/face to face]：Food

Definitions of nutrition?. Nutrition-based poverty trap. Hidden traps.

10[対面/face to face]：Population

Relationship between population and poverty. Population and development. Causes of rapid population growth, the effects of growth population and policy implications.

11[対面/face to face]：Education

Education and development economics. Impact of education over the income inequality and poverty.

12[対面/face to face]：Health

Health and development economics. Impact of health over the income inequality and poverty. Health systems and conditions in developing countries.

13[対面/face to face]：Informality

Definition of Informality, Shadow Economy, and Hybrid Economy.

14[対面/face to face]：Final Exam & Wrap-up

Assess students' understanding of the 2nd half of course materials (Week 8-13)

Students are expected to read the assigned materials (textbook/articles/cases) and to participate in class discussion. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

Ray, Debraj. (1998),Development Economics, Princeton University Press.
I highly recomend to buy this book for better understanding and complement our classes.

Additional references will be provided in the class.

1. Class participation: 20%*
2. Essay or Presentation: 20%**
3. Midterm exam: 30%
4. Final exam: 30%

* Class participation includes class attendance and participation.
** To be decided in class.

Students are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestion regarding the course. Constructive suggestion is appreciated and may be taken for course adjustment.

None