| Unit name | Growth, Trade and Development |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ECONM0004 |
| Credit points | 15 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Mr. Jahir Islam |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Economics, Finance and Management |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit will introduce material on developing countries and provide an opportunity for students to analyse some of the big but unresolved debates concerning lack of development in these countries. In particular the unit will look at whether these economies are held back either by domestic challenges and policies or or by their place within the global economy and their limited ability to engage in trade or symmetrical relationships with richer countries. The unit will introduce selected economic theory and models to address issues specific to developing countries as well as consider the empirical evidence. The challenges of appropriate policy will be considered throughout the unit.
The precise content will tend to vary from year to year, but topics covered are likely to include markets in developing countries, standard growth models, trade policy, intrahousehold inequality, structural change, government policy, and growth in East Asia or Africa.
The unit provides an introduction to the important issues in development economics.
It builds on the economic theory taught in the first term to increase students’ ability to analyse real-life problems using economic models and empirical studies.
1. To enable students to use economic theory to analyse current issues and practical problems of developing countries.
2. To equip students to synthesise and evaluate the empirical material on developing countries.
3. To provide students with some understanding of the policy issues facing developing countries.
The methods of teaching include lectures and classes. Lectures will introduce and explain the concepts, as well as their applications. Classes will provide the opportunity to discuss specific papers and ideas in more detail. Classes will also be used for student presentations on chosen topics.
1 or 2 hours of lectures (whole group)
1 hour of class every fortnight (small group)
Summative assessment:
2½ hour written exam (100%). The exam will require students to answer three essay questions from a choice of six.
The exam will test the knowledge of theoretical models and the understanding, interpretation and critical evaluation of empirical study results. (Tests ILOs 1 and 2)
Essays will require the students to use a mixture of theory and discussion of empirical results, including effectiveness of policy intervention, to demonstrate analytical and synthetic skills. (Tests ILOs 1, 2 and 3)
Formative assessment:
Exercises, submission of individual exercises and individual essay (with individual feedback), class participation, discussion and/or presentation in classes. These will provide further opportunities for feedback on the students’ progress. (Tests ILOs 1, 2 and 3)
There is no single text book for the whole course but the following will cover most of the topics:
