This module will cover a range of topics in the field of Development Economics. The focus will be on the micro-level and the lectures will build around the evidence provided by some of the most recent studies in the field. The module will be structured in two main parts.

The first part will focus on methodology. After a short introduction to the field, we will discuss the most common methodologies used in Development Economics. We will cover both experimental and quasi-experimental approaches. Although you are probably already familiar with many of these methodologies from statistics or econometric modules, we will focus here on how to concretely apply them within Development Economics.

In the second part we will then zoom into a set of topics of special relevance to low-income countries and we will see how the methodologies previously discussed can be applied to investigate these topics. We will discuss questions such as:

• What is the relationship between development and psychological wellbeing?
• How does poverty affect stress levels and cognitive functions?
• Do perceptions on returns to schooling affect actual educational investment decisions?
• Do school subsidies raise school enrollment?
• What are the historical origins of cross-cultural differences in beliefs and values regarding the role of women in society?
• Is it possible to modify social norm that constraint female labor force participation?
• Is there any link between climate change and violent conflicts across the globe?
• What is the impact of air pollution on child mortality?