Course Description
Discussion of key micro-economic papers in development economics, with an emphasis on the agricultural household model, productivity measurement and growth, consumption and poverty, factor markets, and structural transformation. We also develop scholarly research skills, including formulating research ideas, peer reviews, and replicating relevant papers.
Athena Title
Grad International Development
Prerequisite
AAEC 6580-6580L or ECON 8010
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. To build familiarity with concepts central to the role of agricultural growth in economic development. We will cover literature linking agricultural productivity growth, food prices and undernutrition, rural incomes, employment and wage rates, and rural structural transformation. 2. To build research skills by practicing the following research activities: a. identifying and articulating interesting, original research questions grounded in the development economics literature b. deriving testable hypotheses based on economic theory c. testing hypotheses using data and sound empirical methods d. constructively criticizing research by peers at UGA and elsewhere
Topical Outline
I. The agricultural household model and rural economies (3 weeks) II. Productivity growth and heterogeneity (2 weeks) III. Consumption, poverty, and measurement (3 weeks) IV. Development interventions and factor/output markets (4 weeks) V. Structural transformation of developing economies (2 weeks)
Syllabus
Public CV