ECON 353 - Economic Development

This course provides an economic analysis of the problems and prospects of development, with a special focus on growth, poverty and related problems seen in contemporary less developed countries. Our analysis will begin with the age-old question regarding the determinants and dynamics of long-term economic growth. We will then analyze some key issues in the domestic context, such as: Income inequality, income poverty, population growth, rural development, unemployment, and access to capital. Finally, we will focus on some key issues in the international context, including gains and risks associated with trade, international capital flows, and the debate over foreign aid. While opinions on these issues are abundant and tend to be wide-ranging, the goal of our course is to focus on the positive analysis of these topics, understand the subtleties and complexities surrounding them, and build an intellectual foundation for informed thought. Prerequisite: C- or better in ECON 110. Fall (Group I) (Diversity, Quantitative)