This course will invite students to examine economic development theories and strategies at the national and regional levels in poor countries, in nations in transition and in rich countries. In readings, lectures and discussions, course participants will explore the origins of development thought and competing theoretical paradigms including theories of economic growth, Marxism and dependency theories, and Neoclassical paradigms on growth. Students will examine important policy debates and explore case study material from a variety of contexts and frameworks in order to engage in interdisciplinary thinking.
A range of topics will be discussed including poverty of income, of education, of health, of power. We will also explore inequality, culture, rural development, trade policy, finance, household economics, human capital, war violence and conflict, the environment, and evaluation of effectiveness in order to gain a broad understanding of development. The role of gender, social class, institutions, and culture will be incorporated throughout the course just as they are infused in everyday life, instead of compartmentalizing them.