Development Economics

22M1129

Master

English

5.0

only summerterm

1 semester

In this module, students learn about the main economic explanations of income inequality, and reflect on them in the light of the controversy over the concept of development. Students gain theoretical and empirical insights into factors that influence a country’s average purchasing power; they analyze the significance of these factors in terms of a comprehensive understanding of social development in the light of the capability approach. Students also discuss the issue of how development can be measured, particularly with regard to the role of socio-economic inequality.

1. Introduction
   1.1 The concept of development
   1.2 Heterogeneity/classification of countries of the Global South
   1.3 Development ethics
2. Welfare and indicators
   2.1 Welfare, poverty, and inequality
   2.2 Indicators
3. Development theories
   3.1 Economic theories in the narrow sense
   3.2 Economic theories in the broad sense
4. Economics
   4.1 Production, productivity, and income
   4.2 Trade and migration
   4.3 Public finance
5. Development cooperation
   5.1 Institutions of development cooperation (public and private)
   5.2 Political economy of development cooperation
   5.3 Empiricism of development cooperation

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Homework / Assignment or
• Portfolio exam or
• Oral presentation, with written elaboration

The portfolio exam is worth a total of 100 points and consists of a presentation (PR) and a one-hour written exam (K1). The PR is weighted with 40 points and the K1 with 60 points.

The written assignment should be around 15-20 pages long.

Presentation (as part of the portfolio exam): approx. 15 minutes

Report (with a written paper): approx. 20 minutes and a written paper of about 5 pages 

The requirements are specified in the relevant class.

None

Students are familiar with the main economic explanations of international income disparities and with selected positions in the controversy over the objectives of socio-economic development.

Students possess sophisticated knowledge of economic theory and empirical evidence on the emergence of international income disparities. They are able to appreciate the different positions in a number of key controversies in development economics.

Students understand the normativity of the concept of development and the associated normative structure of positions and controversies in development economics. They recognize not only the importance, but also the limitations of empirical findings in clarifying issues in development economics

Students are able to harness an ethically reflected understanding of development and the different explanatory approaches to income inequality in order to determine individual, organisational, and political responsibility.

Students are able to explain the emergence of international income disparities using economic theories, and to place these explanations in the larger context of an ethically reflected concept of development.

Students consciously engage with epistemological reflections on rational judgments, enabling them to take their own differentiated, well-founded position with regard to development controversies and to critically question established positions.

Being part of the specialisation in “Development Cooperation”, this module is related in particular to the content of the “Theory and History of International Relations / International Law” and “Public Policy and Governance” modules.

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