EC319: Development Economics

Module code: EC319

Module provider: Economics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Samantha Benvinda Rawlings, email: s.b.rawlings@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s): BEFORE OR WHILE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE EC201 OR TAKE EC201NU (Compulsory)

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Development economics concerns the application of economic tools to the study of issues that are of particular importance to low-income countries. This module primarily (though not necessarily exclusively) focuses on the application of microeconomic theory to understanding causes and consequences of underdevelopment and it studies the behaviour of individuals, including their choices and constraints when markets are missing or incomplete. The module aims to equip students with an understanding of relevant economic theory, evidence, and implications for policy. Development economics is a broad field, so that the module will necessarily focus only on a selection of topics relevant for development.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate their understanding of the key issues facing the poor in developing countries;
2. Explain theoretical models of economic issues arising in developing countries;
3. Discuss and analyse the empirical literature regarding such models;
4. Analyse the effectiveness or otherwise of different policy options regarding economic development.

Module content

A selection of topics from the list below. This list is not exhaustive, and there may be other topics taught in some years.

• Human capital in developing countries.
• Credit markets and development finance.
• Poverty, inequality and/or institutions in developing countries
• Risk and insurance
• Gender and intrahousehold allocations of resources
• Population and fertility
• Randomized control trials and development policy

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

During the course of the term there are weekly lectures, during which there will be time for discussion and interactive activities.

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will have the opportunity to submit a one page essay plan, for feedback to support students in writing their essay assignment.

Reassessment

Additional costs