Course Overview

This course is for the graduate students who are interested not only in the concepts and theories in development economics but also passionate in the best practices/empirical works. This course gives practical understanding and experiences of how pro-poor policies work in practice in the field of international development- the focus mostly comes from the instructors` continued high quality empirical research including randomized control trails (RCTs). Best practices on the natural experiments and quasi experiments including machine learning/data science are also discussed. The course will also give exposure about how tools of macroeconomics, microeconomics, econometrics, international trade, etc. are applied to understanding the problems of development, and how data and empirical evidence can shed light on conflicting views and questions about the process of development.

Learning Achievement

The students will learn and work with relevant concept/theories, identification strategies, dataset, etc. from standard text books and a number of scholarly papers on policy relevant development economics topics, and challenges instructed questions for the students discussion. Students will also work for the relevant conceptual exercises, replication group projects, etc. and submit homework, etc. so that students can understand their graduate thesis projects on development economics beforehand and start their projects immediately.

Competence

1. General-propose competence: Communicative ability, critical and creative thinking skills, data and information literacy, broad perspective and internationalism, Collaborative, independent & autonomous skills

2. Degree program competence: Professional knowledge on international development, analytical skills on international development, ability of logical expression on international development.

Course prerequisites

-It is expected that students should already have taken courses on introductory microeconomics and econometrics at the earlier semesters. Good user of MS excel and primary user of STATA are helpful.
-All students who want to enroll in this course with credit must come to the first two classes. Once registered for a course, a student may withdraw from the course without penalty by notifying the instructor before the third class of the course. Absence without notice may result in a failing grade.
-The students need to get ready to read lot of concepts, theories, identification strategies from standard textbooks and empirical papers published in top ranking econ journals, work with MS-excel for the homework, appear at class tests, participate in the instructed discussion, and work for replication group project with STATA.

Grading Philosophy

Tentatively, specific grading will be below (subject to minor changes after consulting with the students at the end):

Homework/exercise:25%, Individual class performance including attendance/presentation at group/seminar style discussion: 25%, Replication Group Project:25%, Midterm/Class Exam: 25%

Course schedule

First part of the course will be based on instructor`s lecture (on concepts, theories, identification strategies and empirical exercises) will be ended by class tests/mid-term exam. Then, in the second part, replication group projects will be introduced and instructed discussion on selected papers using scholarly papers will be organized.
Introduction and Course Syllabus
Lecture on How to define development
Evaluating development policies and programs: randomized experiment and natural experiments
Evaluating development policies and programs: Quasi-experimental and non-experimental methods
Poverty, vulnerability and inequality analyses- targeted policies
Population economics
Agriculture for Development and Economics of farm households
Class test/Mid-term exam, Introduction of replication Group projects, and Methods for Instructed Discussion on selected topics
Scholarly papers: Migration, food price shock and infrastructure effects
Scholarly papers: Poverty trap, aid effectiveness and institutions
Scholarly papers: Conflicts and human capital
Review of Replication Group Projects
Presentation on Replication Group Projects and course evaluation

Course type

Lectures

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Mohammad Malek Abdul

Other information

-Class will be conducted Face to Face or MS TEAMS or hybrid-please come face to face at first class
-Prepare Ms Teams at your laptop/smart phone using university ID beforehand.
-Please come to the class before 5 (five) minutes the class starts.
-Please preserve all printed/soft study materials in a folder, bring your folder and laptop.
-No food during the online class time. But simple drinks (Ocha, drinking water, etc.) are allowed.
-Late submissions are not acceptable.
-Please use Manaba effectively.

Site for Inquiry

Link to the syllabus provided by the university