| CODE | ECN2935 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Development Economics | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Economics | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The unit introduces students to the main concepts in development economics, focusing on specific issues such as growth, poverty and inequality (including measurement issues). Reference will also be made to economic development in Malta. The unit will explain why countries develop at different rates, with a large proportion of the world population still living in poverty. Case studies from different countries will also be discussed. The unit will also deal with theoretical aspects and policies that are thought to be conducive to economic development accompanied by empirical assessment of the relevance of economic theory and policy in this area. Topics to be covered: • What do we mean by Economic Development; • The Economic Structure of Countries and Development; • Elements of Growth Theory; • Measuring Poverty and Inequality across Countries; • Governance and Development; • The role of Fiscal and Monetary Policies in Economic Development; • Account of economic development in Malta since the 1950s. Study-unit Aims: The aim of the study-unit is to introduce students to the main concepts in development economics, focussing on specific issues such as growth, poverty and inequality (including measurement issues). Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - interpret the meaning of economic development; - realise that mainstream economic theory does not always apply in developing countries; - identify the different approaches to assess economic development; - adopt a multidisciplinary approach when assessing economic policies conducing to economic growth in developing countries; - produce and interpret data relating to economic development. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - conduct a qualitative and quantitative analysis as to how economic development can be measured and to identify those policies that are conducive to economic development. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main text: • Todaro, M. and Smith, C. (2015). Economic Development, Pearson. Other readings: • Acemoglu, D. and Robinson, J. (2013). Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty. Crown Publishing Group. • Ray, D. (1998). Development Economics, Princeton University Press. Course notes by the lecturer. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite Study-units: ECN1935 or equivalent | |||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Lino Briguglio |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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