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SP52097: Economics of international development

[Page last updated: 15 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWOI 10%, CWRI 90%
Assessment Detail:
  • Book presentation (CWOI 10%)
  • Market study (CWRI 90%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
  • Use the language and methodology employed by economists in the context of development.
  • Apply economic theory to contemporary debates on poverty, inequality, and sustainability.
  • Critically evaluate the merits of economic approaches to consumption, production, distribution, welfare, and development.
  • Collect and use empirical information to quantify economic issues in international development.



Synopsis: Explore core concepts and economic models explaining consumption, production, and distribution under conditions of scarcity. You'll develop an understanding of theories of economic change at local, national, and global levels, with reference to markets affecting low-and middle-income countries. You will critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of the way economists conceptualise individual behaviour, the allocation of resources and its effects over time and space.

Content: This unit will introduce students to key economic approaches to development. Starting off with an introduction into the micro-foundations of economic development, the unit then moves from consumption to production economics, reflecting on the allocation of labour and capital through market and non-market institutions, to develop a comprehensive framework for understanding the determinants of economic growth and structural change. We will also explore a range of analytical methods for assessing the macro impact of micro behaviour.

Course availability:

SP52097 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • THSP-AFM44 : MSc International Development with Economics 
  • THSP-AWM44 : MSc International Development with Economics 

SP52097 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.