2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
LUBS3330 Economic Development
20 creditsClass Size: 160
Module manager: Suman Seth & Gaston Yalonetzky
Email: S.Seth@leeds.ac.uk & g.yalonetzky@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2021/22
Pre-requisites
| LUBS2140 | Intermediate Microeconomics |
| LUBS2610 | Intermediate Macroeconomics |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module provides you with an introduction to some of the most interesting and relevant topics in economic development, including aspects of developed countries' economic history and contemporary challenges faced by developing nations. You start with some core notions of development, followed by methods to measure progress in social wellbeing and you learn some key theories of economic growth. Then you engage with the recent history of world population, with emphasis on the debate on the pros and cons of large populations. You then discuss the development of human capital: education and health. Later on in the module you debate the role of industrialization as an engine of development. Finally, recent research on the bidirectional relationship between institutions and other aspects of development is introduced to you.The module is characterized by a pluralistic approach to a subject like development economics, plagued by highly relevant yet controversial socioeconomic topics. You address key development theories with a strong emphasis on the available empirical evidence and its interpretation.Objectives
The module aims to introduce students to the most important problems in economic development, particularly in the areas of development concepts and measurement, population and human capital, industrialization, and institutional development. The module contributes to the overall learning outcomes of the program in manifold ways including the development of a critical approach to the relevant academic literature.Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate some of the most important problems in economic development, both pertaining to aspects of the economic history of now developed countries and the contemporary challenges faced by developing countries
- Engage with the academic literature and appraise the empirical evidence on the addressed development topics
- Assess critically development policies and initiatives (e.g. from donor agencies, national governments, etc.)
Skills outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- Work effectively as member of a group/team
- Make oral presentations, including preparation, visual aids, delivery, etc
- Critically appraise conflicting scholarly opinion and evidence in academic and policy debates
Syllabus
Indicative content
Trends, concepts and measurement of economic development. The role of happiness measurement in development.
Formal theories of economic growth: neoclassical, endogenous, big-push, poverty traps and O-ring. Empirics of convergence.
Population and development: key demographic concepts, demographic transitions, views on population and development, household fertility decisions, population and poverty. Population policies.
Education and development: Private and social returns to education, educational production function and policies. Conditional cash transfers.
Health and development: Epidemiological transition, health gradients, health policies in developing countries. Health campaigns, neglected diseases and vaccines in developing countries.
Industrialization: industrialization and development, drivers of industrialization, industrial policy. Contemporary challenges to industrialization: cluster formation and commodity booms.
States versus markets: role of states versus markets in development, structural adjustment, the "Washington Consensus". Privatization of public enterprises.
Institution and development: concepts and measurement of institutions, relationship between institutions and development, colonial origins. Corruption.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 12 | 2.00 | 24.00 |
| Seminar | 8 | 1.00 | 8.00 |
| Private study hours | 168.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 32.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
This could include a variety of activities, such as reading, watching videos, question practice and exam preparation.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Your teaching methods could include a variety of delivery models, such as face-to-face teaching, live webinars, discussion boards and other interactive activities. There will be opportunities for formative feedback throughout the module.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Written Work | 1 essay question - 2000 words | 45.00 |
| Written Work | 1 essay question - 2000 words | 45.00 |
| Presentation | Seminar Presentations | 10.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 30/06/2021 15:20:00
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