This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)
Module ECON3171: DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
Department: ECONOMICS FINANCE AND BUSINESS (ECONOMICS AND FINANCE)
ECON3171: DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 3 | 20 | Available in 2006/2007 | None. | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- Any Level 2 Economics module.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- To provide students with insights into some of the key issues affecting the economic development of countries
- To stimulate students to study, present and debate their own ideas and analyses of these issues.
- To widen students??? perceptions of the world and of the applicability of economic science and to motivate them to retain that perception.
- To provide the opportunity for students to build on knowledge and key skills acquired in their second year studies
Content
- In the first term, the principles of economic development are introduced.
- Different theories of growth are analysed, as are two-sector growth models and also theories of labour migration.
- The development of agriculture, industry and finance are all studied and the term finishes with a consideration of New Institutional Economics and the role of government in promoting economic development.
- The second term is taken up with a more in-depth investigation into the development of Latin America and how the general principles studied in the first term apply to the specific experiences of this continent and of Chile, Mexico and Argentina in particular.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Theories, controversies, policies and case studies of how countries attempt to grow and develop over time.
Subject-specific Skills
- Application of economic analysis to low income countries
Key Skills
- critical and analytical thinking
- problem solving
- written communication
- own learning
- working with numbers
- working with others
- bibliographic search and information retrieval.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Teaching is by lectures, tutorials and support for e-mail exchanges with students in universities abroad. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures; preparation and participation in tutorial classes; private study, and contributing to international e-mail discussions on student-selected topics of development economics. Formative assessment is by means of one peice of written work of 1500 words (optional) and feedback on international e-discussions (compulsory). Summative assessment is by means of an unseen written examination of 1 hour and 30 minutes; contribution to international e-discussion and one written assignment of 1500 words.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 22 | 1 per week | 1 hour | 22 | |
| Tutorials | 8 | Fortnightly | 1 hour | 8 | |
| Preparation and Reading | 170 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 60% | one unseen written examination | 1 hour 30 mins | 100% | |
| Assignment | 25% | One written assignment | 1500 words max | 100% | |
| Contribution to International e-discussion | 15% | contribution to international e-mail discussion | 100% |
Formative Assessment
One piece of written work of not more than 1500 words (optional) plus group work in inernational e-discussion topic (compulsory).
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.