- Economics
- Master Degree
- International Economics - Economia Internazionale [F5602M]
- Courses
- A.A. 2024-2025
- 2nd year
- Microeconomics of Development
- Summary
Course Syllabus
Contenuti sintetici
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. In the first part we will discuss the most common methodologies used in Development Economics to analyze causal links. We will cover both experimental and quasi-experimental approaches. 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.
Metodi didattici
Lezioni frontali con mix di lezioni "classiche" e lezioni piu' interattive di approfondimento.
Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento
Esame scritto (domande aperte) e proposta di ricerca (facoltativa).
Testi di riferimento
Il materiale di riferimento include slides e papers scientifici.
Periodo di erogazione dell'insegnamento
Secondo semestre
Lingua di insegnamento
Inglese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning objectives
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
- Identify and understand some of the key issues developing countries face
- Formulate a balanced, critical judgment on the status of the debate around these issues
- Confidently discuss papers in the field of Development Economics
- Critically evaluate contributions to the field of Development Economics
- Provide a positive contribution to the debate, by working on a new research proposal (optiona)
During lectures we will discuss economic notions, theories, evidence, and examples that will help understanding and exploring the topics at hand. The course is entirely based on academic articles, with a combination of classic studies and new papers at the frontier of research. You
will often find these papers difficult to read, but hopefully worth it as they all ask fundamental questions. We will learn to read critically, understand the limitations of each article, and see what we learn despite the limitations. Note that the lectures will raise many questions and although we will address most of them, some are going to remain open. Ultimately, the goal of the lectures is to make you think in a critical way about issues related to development economics. Active participation is therefore highly encouraged.
Contents
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?
Prerequisites
Good understanding of basic econometrics (master level) is required.
Teaching methods
Lectures, with a mix of "standard" lectures and more interactive tutorial-style lectures.
Assessment methods
Written exam (open questions) and research proposal (optional).
Textbooks and Reading Materials
Corse materials include lecture notes and scientific papers.
Semester
Second semester
Teaching language
English