Course Description
Major economic problems of the agricultural sector of developing countries and a study of policy instruments which have been used to resolve these problems. Readings-based course on key topics in international economic development, focusing on applications to agriculture. In addition to covering key topics, the papers for this course invoke a variety of empirical methods for causal estimation.
Athena Title
Adv Micro Intl Dev
Prerequisite
AAEC 6580-6580L or ECON 8010
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This is a readings-based course on key topics in international economic development, focusing on applications to agriculture. In addition to learning about key topics, students will learn an array of empirical methods for credible causal estimation including randomized control trials (RCTs), difference-in-differences, matching methods, synthetic control, instrumental variables, semi-parametric regression, and regression discontinuity. Students will get first-hand experience manipulating and analyzing data through paper replication. Students will also learn about how to critically read and write a research paper and get exposed to the peer-review process.
Topical Outline
1. Introduction 2. Poverty traps 3. The agricultural household model 4. Credit and transfers 5. Risk and insurance 6. Agricultural production 7. Information and communication 8. Gender, intra-household decision-making 9. Climate 10. Education
Syllabus