Economic Development Courses

ECON 615: Economic Development of Less-Developed Areas
This course reviews microeconomic models of the household and their relevance for the analysis of economic development. Particular attention will be given to the estimation of these models using household-level survey data and to tests of their empirical implications. Common methodological concerns will be highlighted and a wide range of applications will be explored.

ECON 616: Advanced Economic Development
This class surveys a variety of models explaining how market failures may lead to poverty and underdevelopment. It then empirically evaluates the importance of those issues as well as the effectiveness of programs that attempt to alleviate them. Topics covered include health, education, labor markets, marriage markets, land, technology, credit, insurance and growth.

Field Requirements in Economic Development

Major field: Econ 615 and 616 plus one other course to be approved by development faculty. In rare cases students may be permitted to substitute an approved course from another field for 615 or 616. This option will be extended on a case-by-case basis when the development faculty agrees that a combination of courses from multiple fields would serve the student's best interests.

Students must pass a field exam covering 615 and 616. Alternatively, students receiving an average grade of A- or better in 615 and 616 may submit a field paper in lieu of the exam. If a student has been allowed to substitute another course for 615 or 616, the developmental faculty will make special arrangements regarding the field exam and eligibility for the field paper.

Passing the field exam or paper assures students that the development faculty will discuss their proposed research with them in the following year. Any further advising commitment depends on evidence of satisfactory progress by the student or on an agreement among the development faculty that there were substantial personal reasons for the lack of progress (illness, financial problems, etc.)

Minor field: Econ 615 or 616. In rare cases students may be permitted to substitute another course for 615 or 616 (see above discussion). Average grade of B+ or better in 615 or 616, or field exam.

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