ULMS Electronic Module Catalogue

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title THE ECONOMICS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Code ECON306
Coordinator Dr Y Geng
Economics
Yining.Geng@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2019-20 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):

ECON221 MICROECONOMICS 1; ECON222 MICROECONOMICS 2; ECON224 MACROECONOMICS II; ECON223 MACROECONOMICS I; ECON227 Microeconomics for Business Economics 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:

 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:

 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:

 

Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 24

9

8

      41
Timetable (if known) 120 mins X 1 totaling 24
 
           
Private Study 109
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Assessment 1: Written Unseen Examination Assessment Type: Written Exam Duration: 2 hours Weighting: 100 Reassessment Opportunity: Yes, Third year module Penalty for Late Submission: Standar  2 hours    100       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             

Aims

This module aims to introduce students to the theoretical perspectives andempirical debates within development economics and impart an in-depthappreciation of the issues related to economic development and its determinantsin less developed countries.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) To understand the nature and determinants of economic development in the LDCs;

(LO2) To recognise both the strengths andlimitations of various alternative models of the development process

(LO3) To understand the determinants ofeconomic welfare in LDCs

(LO4) To recognise the implications fordeveloping countries of international exchange, trade liberalisation andglobalisation

(LO5) To appreciate the relationships betweenglobalisation and economic performance in low and middle income economies

(LO6) To critically evaluate the roles,achievements and failures of various international policy initiatives in thecontext of developing country measured economic performance and domesticeconomic welfare.

(S1) Problem solving skills

(S2) Teamwork

(S3) Organisational skills

(S4) Communication skills

(S5) International awareness

(S6) Lifelong learning skills

(S7) Ethical awareness


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method: Lecture
Description: Lectures will be designed to provide essential information and introduce students to the basic tools and concepts (both statistical and economic) of analysis.
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 24
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Lectures will be delivered using mainly conventional methods. Lecture slides will be available one to two days before the lecture on VITAL. Students are expected to download these for the lecture. Lectures will provide the opportunity for interactive learning for every student via online platforms like Polleverywhere. The expectation is that mass interaction will lead to more focused class discussion where everyone feels involved even where some individuals may feel inhibited in contributing directly when in a large group.

Teaching Method: Tutorial
Description: Tutorials will provide students with the opportunity to further develop their skills through reflecting analytically on various module topics covered in class. This will be done primarily via group discussion and student group presentations.
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 8
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Complementing conventionally delivered lectures will be a series of Tutorials. These give the students an opportunity to enhance their learning within the module in small groups.

Teaching Method: External Seminars (Wednesday Lunch Time sessions: 6)
Description: Presentations from experts in selected areas of research
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 9
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: Finally, this module will provide students with the opportunity to attend 6 Seminars (not mandatory) by experts in the area of development economics. Experts will be selected carefully based on their current research activity and its close relevance to the topics covered within the module. These seminars are not only likely to enhance learning but to give students an opportunity to appreciate cutting edge research in the area of development economics.

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 109
Description: The tutorials approach encourages students to undertake a fairly structured approach to self-directed learning. They will be expected to develop a deep understanding of applied development economics via reflecting analytically on module topics covered in class. Students will be expected to demonstrate the use of a variety of research beyond the material covered in class in order to develop analytically responsible answers to developmental issues introduced in class. Some guidance on approaches to self-study, research and data sources, and how to develop their coursework analytical reasoning will be provided during the tutorials. Where required, there will also be opportunities for one-to-one sessions discussion sessions with the module leader.

Costs Information:
Students will incur no additional costs as a result of taking this module

There are the following non -modular requirements:
Students must have taken ECON222 and ECON223, plus either ECON221, ECON227 or ECON334

Skills/Other Attributes Mapping

Skills / attributes: Ethical awareness
How this is developed: Students are encouraged to think outside the ‘box’ of economics concepts of losses and gains.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Examination

Skills / attributes: Lifelong learning skills
How this is developed: Reflecting analytically on issues related to international development and communication skills. Tutorials are dedicated to building these skills. Weekly organised external seminars are an integral part of this course. These create a quest for knowledge and impart an understanding that learning goes beyond the classroom and textbooks
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Examination

Skills / attributes: International awareness
How this is developed: Issues surrounding international development constitute the core of t his module. Students are encouraged to bring to class the most recent debates in this area
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Examination

Skills / attributes: Communication skills
How this is developed: Students are encouraged to actively engage with the discussion in class and also develop oral and written communication skills during tutorials.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Examination

Skills / attributes: Organisational skills
How this is developed: Students will be required to organise research material in a way that tackles specific issues
Mode of assessment (if applicable)

Skills / attributes: Teamwork
How this is developed: Students encouraged to work in groups during tutorials.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Examination

Skills / attributes: Problem solving skills
How this is developed: Via class and tutorials
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Examination


Syllabus

 

Nature and Measurement of Economic Development
Growth and Development: Alternative Perspectives, Historical Origins, Modelling Growth       
Population Growth, Poverty and Inequality       
Development and the Environment       
Trade, Trade Policies and Development: Evidence and Controversies       
Human Capital and Infrastructure as ‘Engines of Development’       
FDI and LDC Development       
Urban-Rural Migration: Models and Evidence       
Foreign Assistance, Debt and Economic Development       
IMF,World Bank and the ‘Washington Consensus’: Theory and Evidence – Success or Failure       
Globalisation, the WTO and Economic Deve lopment: Problems and Prospects       
Contemporary Challenges in Economic Development like:
Arab Spring and the ensuing conflicts in the Middle East
Climate Change
Microfinance


Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.