Development Economics - MSc

This module examines the workings of the economic system from a disaggregated viewpoint. It is a standard module on advanced microeconomic theory and contains the basics of general equilibrium, including Walrasian equilibrium. It provides students with the toolbox essential for understanding further advanced modules in their programme of choice. Fundamental topics dealt with encompass utility theory and welfare. Special attention is given to risk and uncertainty. All these topics are presented in an advanced manner and all are developed in mathematical frameworks. The notion of the understanding of a number of mathematical proofs of economic ideas is central to the curriculum.

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This module is designed for students with interests in both international economics and development economics. It aims to discuss some of the fundamental models (and their extensions) in international economics and link them to the growth and development process of regions and countries. Throughout this module we provide you with the analytical tools and theoretical knowledge necessary to understand these links. We also focus on both the theoretical foundations and extensions of trade theory and the empirical evidence available to the current theoretical debates. The first part of the module is devoted to the foundations of trade theory and it is the basic building block of the module. The rest of the module deals with trade policy, trade liberalisation and long run growth, factor movements as well as economic geography and regional trade agreements and their implication for global free trade.

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The main aim of this module is to provide students with knowledge of core macroeconomic theory at the graduate level. The focus is on learning theoretical concepts and analytical techniques as an aid to understanding complex contemporary macroeconomic problems. In addition, the module will develop the toolbox essential for understanding all other macro-related modules in the programmes of students' further choice. The module is organized in three key parts. The first part deals with microeconomic foundations of macroeconomics and introduces rational expectations. The second part analyses short-term fluctuations in macroeconomic performance and how macroeconomic policy may be used to address these. Specifically, it provides rigorous treatment of the Real Business Cycle theory and monetary/fiscal policy as regulatory instruments. The third part deals with economic growth as a fundamental determinant of long-term macroeconomic performance.

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This module studies basic econometric techniques. An intuitive and practical learning style will be used in order to develop participants understanding and ability to apply these econometric methods. Participants will develop an understanding of the conventional linear regression model in cross section, time series and panel data. The module focuses on the application of econometric methods, with little emphasis on the mathematical aspects of the subject. A computer software package will be used for practical work throughout this module, both as a means to provide applications of the theory developed in lectures as well as to give experience in the use of such software for participants own empirical research. No previous knowledge of computing or econometrics is required.

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Empirical evaluation of microeconomic models is crucial to the study and application of economics. The empirical evaluation of economic models based on the analysis of individual behaviour at the micro level often requires special econometric techniques either due to the nature of the explanatory variables or the non-randomness of the sample design. The module introduces students to the main empirical strategies for causal inference. The module will cover identification based on observables, randomized control trials, difference-in-differences, instrumental variables and regression discontinuity design. The students will use an econometric software in the analysis of data and estimations.

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Developing economies are confronted with severe environmental problems. This module starts with presenting economic growth models with environmental elements and discusses their properties and implications for long-run sustainable development. It then proceeds by illustrating environmental valuation techniques and showing how these can be incorporated into economic decision-making processes in order to contribute to sustainable economic growth and development. The main emphasis in the module is on the application of environmental economics to help design, implement and evaluate environmental policies in developed and developing economies.

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As a field of study, Development Economics has both a long history and a rapidly expanding set of issues that is considered to be within its domain today. The Foundation of Development Economics will provide a long-term perspective to the field, covering topics such as the meaning of development, the measurement of poverty and inequality, economic growth, structural transformation, industrialisation, institutions and trade. Students will be exposed to classical texts to gain an understanding of how the economic approach to these topics have evolved over time; as well as rigorous mathematical models and modern economic approaches to empirical analysis for an introduction to current methods and practices in the study of Development Economics.

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The module consists of topics related to common causes and consequences of institutional failure in developing countries, such as market failures and failures in political, legal and social institutions. Topics will cover ways in which individuals, social groups and governments deal with these failures, including the use of informal institutions, social networks and policy interventions. Students will be exposed to both theory and empirics, with a focus on theoretical and empirical tools appropriate for studying the behaviour and constraints of individuals, households and firms in developing country settings. Emphasis will be placed in particular on studying strategic interaction between agents in the absence of markets and identifying causal effects.

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The module consists of preparation of the 1-page dissertation proposal to be submitted by the end of Week 13. Upon review of the proposal by the Director of Graduate Studies the student is allocated to the supervisor. For the rest of the term the student and the supervisor meet and discuss in details the proposal to identify the relevant literature research methods and actions. By the end of Week 24 the student submits an additional 1-page outline of the dissertation with the exact research question, relevant methodological toolbox to address the question and reference to the relevant data (if applicable). The outline is further supported by the condensed list of the core literature.

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This module helps prepare students to acquire and develop the employability and transferable skills necessary to search and successfully apply for work experience and graduate opportunities in the commercial and public sector and for PhD programmes.

The curriculum will include guidance and practical exercises in application writing, CVs, careers advice, interview and assessment centre techniques, numeracy and competency tests, and psychometric evaluation.

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The dissertation work is carefully structured across the whole academic year. On entry to the MSc programmes, students are made aware of the need to consider their dissertation during the taught part of the programme and to do some preparatory work in terms of selection of research topic and investigation of the availability of data before the beginning of the dissertation working period. They receive guidelines on the writing of economics dissertations and they receive various talks and advice above the researching and writing of their dissertation. Students are allocated an appropriate member of staff as dissertation supervisor.

Students of MSc Development Economics may opt for a co-delivery arrangement with Brac University, Bangladesh, or North South University, Bangladesh, in which they are hosted by Brac / North South and jointly supervised by academic staff members from Kent and Brac / North South University (one supervisor from each institution).

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