Here is the link to the new World Bank report on Aid and Development in Africa
 
 

Development is about getting the macroeconomics right-- yes; but it is also about building the roads, empowering the people, writing the laws, recognizing the women, eliminating the corruption, educating the girls, building the banking systems, protecting the environment, inoculating the children.

Office: Monroe 108 D
Phone: 654 1484
email: bhansen
Office Hours: 11-12 MWF, 1:45-2:45 TR

Text: Michael Todaro,  Economic Development (2000)

Course Description:

We will begin by examining methods of measuring economic development and the major paradigms that have been developed for explaining economic development. Particular emphasis will be placed on recent theories which emphasize the role of institutions in explaining differences in economic development. Beginning in the fourth week we explore specific issues in development, such as, inequality, population growth, access to credit, and property rights over land. We will also view the film To Live, which examines forty years of Chinese development through the eyes of one family.

We will attempt to understand the common economic problems many less developed countries face, but we will also want to recognize the uniqueness of each country. One should keep in mind that there is a great deal of diversity in developing countries. Per capita GDP is over $4,000 a year in Brazil and Chile, but less than $200 a year in Burundi and Ethiopia. China and India, which together account for a third of the worlds population have per capita GDP of less than $800 a year. While some policies may be beneficial for all economies, there is no one size fits all development program.

Course Objectives:

2. To gain a greater understanding of how economic theory can be used to understand the economic problems that less developed countries face.

3. To gain a greater understanding of how economic performance is measured.

4. To gain a greater understanding of how geography, history and culture influence economic performance in different countries.

5. To gain a greater understanding of how the choice of appropriate development policies is influenced by the unique characteristics of each country. That is, there is no one size fits all development plan.

6. To develop writing skills.

7. To develop speaking skills.

8. To develop quantitative analysis skills.

Course Requirements:

2. Quantitative Analysis 5%

4. Paper 25%

5. Presentations 5%

6.  Final 20%

7. Participation 25%

Grading Scale
for a grade of A final class average must be >= 93.0
for a grade of A- final class average must be >=90.0 and <93.0
for a grade of B+ final class average must be >=87.0 and <90.0
for a grade of B final class average must be >= 83.0 and <87.0
for a grade of B- final class average must be >=80.0 and <83.0
for a grade of C+ final class average must be >=77.0 and <80.0
for a grade of C final class average must be >=73.0 and <77.0
for a grade of C- final class average must be >=70.0 and <73.0
for a grade of D+ final class average must be >=65.0 and <70.0
for a grade of D final class average must be >= 60.0 and <65.0
for a grade of F final class average must be < 60.0

Guide to Grades:
Scores in the A range mean that you completed the assignment, with almost no grammatical, factual, organizational or logical errors, and that you exhibited significant originality of thought.
Scores in the B range mean that you completed the assignment, with almost no grammatical, factual, organizational or logical errors.
Scores in the C range mean that you completed the assignment, with noticeable grammatical, factual, organizational or logical errors.
Scores in the D range mean that you did complete the assignment in its entirety and/or it was riddled with noticeable grammatical, factual, organizational or logical errors.
A grade of F means that you failed to complete the assignment.

Course Outline:

Assignments:

Development Issues
Gender Inequality
Ethnic Conflict
The Legal System
International Trade
Income Inequality
Poverty
Education
Macroeconomic Policy
Corruption
Credit Markets (especially micro-finance)
Population
Environmental Problems

This list is meant to be suggestive, not exhaustive.

Your report is to be 7-10, typed, double spaced pages.
The Department of Economics uses the Chicago style, as found in Kate Turabian, Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Dissertations and Theses. References and citations should conform to this style. Examples of internet citations.
 

Bibliography

Once you have selected a country and an issue your bibliography is the starting point for your research. This bibliography should include four different types of references:

1. Academic journal articles. (5 items) These are articles that have been published in peer reviewed journals. Peer reviewed means that the papers have been read by editors and referees (people knowledgeable in the field) who have recommended its publication.

2. Books. (4 items) Books available in an academic library have also typically gone through an editorial process. The length of books allows for more breadth and depth than article length treatments. In economics books are often less technical than articles as well.

3. Journalistic articles. (5 items) These are articles from the popular press or from business periodicals. The library now has access over the internet to translations of such articles from a large number of countries. These articles have not been through a peer review process. On the other hand, the time between writing an publishing is much less than with peer reviewed articles so they are much more current. Internet articles should only be used if they are associated with a recognized print publication, for example, internet versions of articles from the Washington Post or the New York Times.

4. Sources of quantitative information. (3 items) This includes annual publications of such agencies as the World Bank and the United Nations, but is not limited to these sources. Many sources of data may also be found on the internet.

Quantitative Analysis Assignment

Time Series
1. Find time series data for some measure of economic performance for two countries. The series must be at least ten years long.  Produce both a table and a graph of the data.
Write a brief description ( no more than a couple sentences) about what the table and graph show.
Proportions
2. Find data on the composition of output between services, manufacturing and the primary sector. Present the data in a table and in graphs. Write a brief description ( no more than a couple sentences) about what the table and graph show.
Relationships
3. Find data on per capita GNP and a variable that you think might be related to per capita GNP, for example education (no you may not use education). Create a scatter diagram showing the relationship. Find the correlation coefficient. Write a brief description ( no more than a couple sentences) about what the graph shows.

1. Make sure that each table and each graph has a title that clearly describes what it is showing.
2. Number each table and graph in the assignment.
3. Place the number of the table or graph before its title in the label above the graph, e.g., Table 1. Per Capita GDP in Ghana and Switzerland, 1970-1998. Refer to graphs as figures, e.g., Figure 1
4. Refer to each table and graph by its number in your descriptions, e.g., Figure 3 shows that literacy and per capita GDP tend to be positively related.
5. Make sure that the source of the data is stated at the bottom of each graph.
6. Make sure that different parts of the graphs are easily distinguished and clearly labeled..
7. Make sure each graph and table fits neatly on to a single page.

Presentation

Participation:
You may contribute to class participation either in class or electronically through discussion on Blackboard.

FAQs
1. Q: Will you actually lower my grade if I don't turn in the bibliography or bring a paper to class for the peer reveiw.
A: Yes.
2. Q: Will you really lower my grade if I turn my tests or assignments in late.
A: See the answer to question 1.
3. Will I get a low score for participation if I don't come to class or if I don't read the text.
A: See the answer to questions 1 and 2.

Helpful Links:

H. Stephen Gardner's list of Comparative Economic Systems Links

CIA World Fact Book 1998

World Bank

Exchange Rates

UN Economic Commission on Latin America

World Bank Global Economic Prospects 2000

World Bank Poverty Reduction Strategies

Country Studies form the Library of Congress

 Global Development Network

World Education Forum

World Income Inequality Database

Virtual Library on Microcredit

Hernando De Soto's Instituto Libertad y Democrcacia
 

Papers