| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Midterm Exam 1 | 50 |
| Midterm Exam 2 | 50 |
| Final Exam | 50 |
| Total exam points | 150 |
| Assignment 1 | 20 |
| Assignment 2 | 20 |
| Assignment 3 | 20 |
| Assignment 4 | 20 |
| Assignment 5 | 20 |
| Total assignment points | 100 |
| Presentation (slides) | 30 |
| Final paper | 70 |
| Total paper | 100 |
| Maximum points | 350 |
ECON4643
Syllabus
Course Description
The goal of this course is to use economic analysis to advance our understanding of economic and social conditions in low income countries. We will examine why some countries have achieved higher economic development and others have not. While many of the topics covered are also important for industrialized economies, some are of special relevance to poor economies. The course is developed around lectures and readings that present empirical, scientific evidence on different topics. Emphasis is on evidence. There are six modules:
Inequality, poverty and growth;
Impact evaluation of development programs
Agriculture: land and labor markets
Financial markets
Human capital: health, education and population
Institutions and development
There is no main text, but we will use numerous chapters from [TBA]. Students are encouraged to buy the book, either as a digital or print copy. Writing assignments will allow students to apply the concepts learned in class to analyze economic issues in the developing world. In particular:
Students will examine current interactions of groups or cultures external to the United States within their political, economic, ideological, or natural contexts.
Students will understand how current international cultures relate to complex, systems related to oppression, political ideology, globalization, or other similar dynamics.
Students will understand the role of empirical observations and experiments using quantitative or qualitative methods in the social and behavioral sciences.
Students will demonstrate their understanding through written work that provides them the opportunity to enhance their writing skills.
Writing Assignment
Each student enrolled in this class is required to write a term paper in the form of a policy brief. Students will be asked to choose a topic (from a pre-determined list) and a developing country. The student will then prepare a 10 to 15 page country report which will consist of a rapid assessment of the country situation and proposed policies to tackle the specific issue in the given country (here are few examples: Increasing girls education attainment in India; credit and small business growth in Kenya; Roads and Rural Economic Growth in Vietnam). Students will present their projects in class. The grade of the writing assignment is based on 70% on the written report, and 30% of the oral presentation.
The paper must have a minimum of 10 pages and a maximum of 15 pages (excluding tables and references). All writing assignments must be typed in Times New Roman font, 12pt, double–spaced, with 1 inch margins. I expect you to use feedback received from me on the first draft to improve your final term paper. The first draft is due is due on Thursday, March 7. The final version of your paper is due on Thursday, April 25. Students must complete all writing assignments on time, no exceptions.
Grading
Exam
There will be two midterm exams and a final exam (all in-class, closed books). Exams will be based on the assigned readings and problem sets. The final exam will be comprehensive.
Grade Determination and Grading Scale
Your final grade will be determined based on three midterm exams, one final exam, five homework assignments and a term paper. I use an absolute grading scale, i.e. grades will not be determined on a curve. This means that it is possible for everyone to get an A in this class, dependent on their own performance only.
| Grade percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90-100 | A |
| 80-89 | B |
| 70-79 | C |
| 60-69 | D |
| Below 60 | F |
Make-up Policy
There will be no make-up for exams for unexcused absences. Unexcused absences will earn a zero on the concerned exam. Valid excuses include (documented medical or family emergencies, or participation in university events. For valid excuses (except participation in university events), the student’s grade shall be calculated by re-weighting completed work, provided the student has appeared for at least one exam and submitted all homework by the last regular class meeting. For participation in university events falling on an exam day, you must inform me and take the exam early. Otherwise, the student’s grade will be calculated only on the basis of the course work completed out of total course work. Make sure to read the syllabus attachment below for more information on University policy on attendance and withdrawal.
Attendance
I expect you to attend each class since the material builds on earlier concepts. Throughout the semester, there will be unannounced pop-quizzes that earn extra-credit points. Students who are not present in class or come late will miss this opportunity.
Text Books
There is no required text. Materials will be drawn from several sources, but mainly from the following books that will be placed on reserve at the library. The reading list will be provided in each lecture.
- Ray, Debraj (1998) Development Economics. Princeton University Press (DE).
- Wydick, B. (2008) Games in Economic Development. Cambridge University Press, (GED)
- Van Marrewijk C. and S. Brakman (2022) The Economics of Developing and Emerging Markets Cambridge University Press
Artificial Intelligence
Students may access and use generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Bing AI, or Bard, to assist them in their learning of the course content. Appropriate uses may include generating ideas for writing assignments, checking facts of a phenomenon, assessing a paper for grammatical errors that are written by the student, and checking your codes for errors. Such uses of the tool assist students in learning the content and will therefore be permitted. However, students are prohibited from using generative AI tools to completely produce, reproduce, and/or manufacture paper and/or other assignments without using any personal effort devoted to the learning process. Before using generative AI tools, students should check to ensure they do not conflict with copyright laws or other’s proprietary information.
Exams
There are two mid-term exams and a final.
| Exams | Dates |
|---|---|
| Exam 1 | 03-07-2024 |
| Exam 2 | 04-18-2024 |
| Final Exam | 05-07-2024 |