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ECN 726: Economics of Developing Countries

Fall 2023

KHS134, Thursday 12:00-3:00pm

Instructor Information

● Instructor Name: Nicholas Li

● Office Location: JOR224

● Office Hours: After class Thursday and Tuesdays 2-3pm (in office and zoom)

● Email Address: [email protected]

Email Policy

I do my best to respond to e-mails within 24 hours during the week and 48 hours during weekends. If you have a question that cannot be answered in a few sentences by e-mail please speak with me before/during/after class or during office hours.

Course Description

This course is designed for third and fourth year students with an interest in theories and applications in economics of developing countries. Topics include micro and macro aspects of developing economies, including credit markets, education, health, institutions and political factors. There will be a strong emphasis on developing and applying tools from econometrics to critically evaluate empirical evidence and conduct empirical research. This course will also review research on Indigenous peoples and economies in North America that covers the same topics and methods.

Weekly Contact: Lecture 3 hrs.

GPA Weight: 1.00

Billing Units: 1

Count: 1.00

Prerequisites: ECN 504 and ECN 627 Antirequisites: ECN 503

Course Details

Teaching Methods

The course is based on required readings, lectures, in-class discussions, data assignments, and a final exam. A typical class will involve introducing a new tool/methodology, going over a particular application in depth, a discussion-based overview of the broader topic and literature, and some hands-on analysis applying the tools we learn to real data. Slides will be provided in advance but may be sparse and are a poor substitute for attending class.

Course Materials

Most of the class material will be distributed through D2L/Brightspace. The main exception is the “textbook” we will be using throughout the course, which you can find through a variety of channels (but not the University Bookstore or library).

Banerjee, Abhijit, and Esther Duflo. Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the

Way to Fight Global Poverty. Public Affairs, 2012.

We will also be using spreadsheet software to do data analysis, which you can access for free from your University Google account (you are welcome to use Excel or different software like R if you want although a few commands may be different and I may not be able to provide support). It may be helpful to bring a laptop to class to follow along with the hands-on data applications.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will:

(1) Have a broad understanding of the main theories and latest empirical research on economic development and poverty

(2) Be able to critically evaluate the most common methodologies used in empirical research in economics

(3) Gain experience conducting their own statistical analysis using spreadsheet software

.

Topics and Course Schedule

Note: Readings listed here with a * are required to be completed before class. Additional readings will be covered in class where relevant.

Evaluation

Assignments: Assignments will be provided and submitted through D2L Brightspace. These assignments are mostly based on data analysis (and some basic arithmetic and calculus) and are intended to provide hands-on experience in applying concepts you have learned in this and previous courses using real world data.

Late submission: Work that is submitted late will incur a 10% penalty per day unless I receive an Academic Consideration Request (see below or click the link).

Final exam: The exam will consist of two main components. Half of the exam will be made up of short answer questions based on the required readings – the questions will be provided with each weekly reading, so you will have the questions (but not the answers) in advance. The other half of the exam will be short answer and/or multiple choice questions based on applying the tools we learned in class. The best way to prepare for the second half is to do the assignments yourself and come to class (and ask questions when you don’t understand).

Participation: There is no participation grade but I strongly encourage you to do the required reading before class and participate in class discussions. A higher level of participation in the class will help everyone because the (provided in advance) discussion questions will be on the exam and the lecture slides will not cover this material in depth. Although there is no grade for participation, it may be taken into consideration for marginal letter grades/rounding purposes.

Assessment Weighting Breakdown (suggested template)

University Policies

Students must be reminded that they are required to adhere to all relevant university policies found in their online course shell in D2L and/or on the Senate website.

Specific policies for ECN courses here: http://www.economics.ryerson.ca/files/handbook.pdf

Important Resources Available at Toronto Metropolitan University

● The Library provides research workshops and individual assistance. If the University is open, there is a Research Help desk on the second floor of the library, or students can use the Library's virtual research help service at https://library.ryerson.ca/ask/ to speak with a librarian.

● Student Life and Learning Support offers group-based and individual help with writing, math, study skills, and transition support, as well as resources and checklists to support students as online learners.

● You can submit an Academic Consideration Request when an extenuating circumstance has occurred that has significantly impacted your ability to fulfill an academic requirement. You may always visit the Senate website and select the blue radial button on the top right hand side entitled: Academic Consideration Request (ACR) to submit this request).
Please note that the Provost/ Vice President Academic and Dean's approved a COVID-19 statement for Fall 2022 related to academic consideration. This statement will be  built into the Online Academic Consideration System and will also be on the Senate website (www.ryerson.ca/senate) in time for the Fall term:

Policy 167: Academic Consideration for Fall 2022 due to COVID-19: Students who miss an assessment due to cold or flu-like symptoms, or due to self-isolation, are required to provide a health certificate. All absences must follow Senate Policy 167: Academic Consideration.

Also NOTE:  Policy 167: Academic Consideration does allow for a once per term academic consideration request without supporting documentation if the absence is less than 3 days in duration and is not for a final exam/final assessment. If the absence is more than 3 days in duration and/or is for a final exam/final assessment, documentation is required. For more information please see Senate Policy 167: Academic Consideration.

COVID-19 Information and Updates for Students summarizes the variety of resources available to students during the pandemic.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

● If taking a remote course, familiarize yourself with the tools you will need to use for remote learning. The Remote Learning guide for students includes guides to completing quizzes or exams in D2L Brightspace, with or without Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor, using D2L Brightspace, joining online meetings or lectures, and collaborating with the Google Suite.

● Information on Copyright for Faculty and students.

Accessibility

work

[email protected]