1st Semester, 2023, Graduate School of Economics and Business/Public Policy School(HOPS), Hokkaido University

Special Study of Development Economics A
(Development Economics)

INTRO.

This is the website of Special Study of Development Economics A for the Graduate School of Economics and Business, Hokkaido University. The course will be also provided as Development Economics for the Public Policy School, Hokkaido University. The course material will be provided through this website.

Contact: Email/hokudai.hiwatari at gmail.com (Hiwatari)

INFO.

We will have the first classes on April 13(Thu) in W303.

Course Objectives

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the field of development economics. We study the processes and problems of economic development in the less-developed countries by using economic theory, econometric methods, and other tools of the social sciences. Several topics will be studied using textbooks and recent research papers. Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of microeconomics.

Course Goals

• (i) To increase knowledge on the poverty and development issues in developing countries
• (ii) To increase knowledge of classical theories and recent achievements in the field of development economics
• (iii) To advance the skills required for theoretical and empirical analyses on the poverty and development issues in developing countries

Course Schedule

The following lecture contents are planned but may be subject to change in consideration of the students’ academic interests and other circumstances. In particular, the order of lectures is likely to be changed.

1. Introduction

-Poverty Analysis

2. Measuring Poverty and Inequality I

3. Measuring Poverty and Inequality II

4. Dynamic Poverty Analysis

-Development Microeconomics

5. Agricultural Household Model

6. Informal Insurance and Networks

7. Rural Finance (e.g. ROSCAs, Microfinance)

8. CPRs and Development

-Economic Growth and Industrialization

9. Dual Economy

10. Economic Growth: Theories and Evidence

11. Aid Effectiveness and Governance

-Environment and Development (A joint course with the One Health Frontier Graduate School of Excellence Ally Course)

12. Economics Approach to Environmental and Health Issues

13. Methods of Economic Impact Evaluation

14. Case Study of Lead Pollution in Kabwe, Zambia

15. Discussion

Homework

Students are expected to read the academic literature listed in the course material and complete a term report.

Grading System

Formal course requirements for this course are participation in class discussions (40%) and a term report (60%).

Textbooks

Course material will be provided through this website.