290006 Development Economics

Details
Institute of Food and Resource Economics
Earliest Possible YearBSc. 1 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
Course LevelJoint BSc and MSc
Bachelorkursus for JØ-studerende. Fællesfag for andre studieretninger.
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

written examination


Written Exam in Lecturehall

All aids allowed

Description of Examination: 4-hours written examination in course curriculum

Weight: 100%



13-point scale, internal examiner

Dates of Exam:
23 June 2006
 
Requirement For Attending ExamPresentation of a written project
 
Organisation of TeachingLectures, assignments, group work and group discussion.
 
Block PlacementBlock 4
Week Structure: B
 
Teaching LanguageEnglish
 
Optional PrerequisitesSamfundsøkonomi (Macro Economics)
 
Areas of Competence the Course Will Address
Basic Science:

After this course the students will understand the mainstream economic concept of economic growth and development.

Applied Science:

After this course the students will understand: the process of economic development in a socio.political perspective, diferent growth paradigms, the transformation of agriculture under economic growth, the role and importance of institutions in economic development, and economic evaluation of development projects.

Ethics & values:
After this course the students will be awere of sustanable development, rationale for development aid, economic growth and income distribution and income redistribution, and problems in relation to economic cost-benefit analysis of development projects.
 
Course Objectives
The central aim of the course is to provide an overall understanding of the central economic issues of development and under-development on the one hand, and to ensure that development issues are seen in broad socio-political and global perspectives on the other hand. The course also provides students with knowledge about project analysis and project management in developing countries.
 
Course Contents
The central themes in this course include:
. The role and importance of the agricultural sector in economic transformation.
. The relationship between national and international economic growth and policies.
. The socio-political consequences of different growth patterns.
. The role of institutions and policies in the development process
. Project evaluation and selection: cost-benefit analysis and logical framework approach (LFA) to project assessment.
Various development paradigms are introduced and analysed along with different development approaches such as export-led growth, import substitution, structural adjustment and neoliberalism. Attention is paid to foreign trade, foreign debt and international aid. On the sectoral level, the course deals with the labour market (including population issues) and the capital market. On the project level the course introduces various economic tools for project assessment and management. A thorough discussion of the pros and cons of market forces versus various planning techniques in developing countries will also be dealt with. Special attention is devoted to the micro and macro aspects of agriculture, food supply, food aid and pricing of agricultural commodities. The course is designed to meet the needs of students who are interested in understanding the conditions under which 2/3 of the world population live and in learning about the barriers to, and achievements of, development. The course is essential to anybody planning a career in international organisations or in export companies that deal with developing countries. A broad understanding of the socio-economic conditions in developing countries is also recommended for students who are planning to undertake a purely natural science research project in these countries.
 
Teaching And Learning Methods
The teaching is based on lectures that introduce the central and crucial elements of the curriculum. These central topics will further be touched upon in assignments and group work where the students will read, present and discuss various relevant texts. Furthermore there will be both theoretical and practical exercises in witch the students can develop there understanding of the subject further.
 
Course Litterature
- Perkins, D.H. et al (2001): Economics of Development. 5th edition. Norton & Co.
- Ray D. (1998): Development Economics. Princeton UP.
- Curry S. & Weiss (2000): Project Analysis in Developing Countries. Macmillan.
- Selected articles & book chapters collected in a compendium.
 
Course Coordinator
Noman Kanafani, kan@life.ku.dk, Institute of Food and Resource Economics/International Economics and Policy Division, Phone: 35332269
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Course Scope
lectures40
theoretical exercises42
examination4
supervision0
project work42
preparation78
Colloquia0
Excursions0

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