AEM 4315 - Economics of Developing Countries

(crosslisted) ECON 3550

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: AEM 2100, AEM 2600, AEM 4110, ECON 1110, ECON 1120 or equivalents.

B. Dillon.

The goal of this course is to expand students’ understanding of the economics of developing countries. We will address questions like: why do some countries grow quickly and others slowly? What factors prevent countries, households, and individuals from escaping the cycle of poverty? How do policymakers balance economic growth and environmental sustainability? Why don’t financial markets work well in most developing countries, and do informal institutions fill the gap? How do we analyze the challenges facing small-scale farming households, and how do decisions by those households influence migration, labor markets, and the growth of industry? How do we evaluate policies and programs in order to understand what works for development? The approach in this course will be primarily microeconomic, although a basic understanding of macroeconomics is important for some topics. Emphasis will be on theory, real-world examples, and reading and interpreting research and policy papers.

Outcome 1: Explain, use, and critically assess the primary metrics used for measuring growth, poverty, and inequality.

Outcome 2: Apply the tools of economic analysis to problems of growth, poverty, and environmental sustainability in developing countries.

Outcome 3: Interpret and evaluate empirical research on the economic and social impacts of specific policies and programs.

Outcome 4: Formulate succinct, informed arguments on a variety of contemporary policy issues facing developing countries.