Global Poverty and the Economics of Development Policy
This course will provide students with an overview of critical issues in economic development and the lives of people in low-income countries. We will use economic frameworks to understand the potential and limitations of markets in developing countries, and how policy can address some of these imperfections. While we will briefly discuss models of economic growth and the transition of economies away from agriculture, our primary focus will be on understanding systematic barriers to education, health, financial access, and the adoption of modern technologies. We will also study topics such as corruption, conflict, and the importance of political institutions. This course requires the ability to interpret statistics and a basic understanding of economic principles. Grading will be based on assignments, in-class group exercises, and a final exam.