Growth and Development (ECON 420)

2023 Fall
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Economics(ECON)
3
6
Cavit Baran cavit.baran@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Undergraduate
ECON202 ECON204
Formal lecture,Interactive lecture,Seminar
Interactive,Communicative,Discussion based learning,Task based learning,Guided discovery
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Programs\Type Required Core Elective Area Elective
Economics *
Economics *

CONTENT

Basic features of modern economic growth; theories of economic growth: neoclassical growth model, endogenous growth models, convergence of income levels political economy of development and economic growth; growth and inequality; poverty and undernutrition; population growth and development; rural-urban interaction and growth; role of factor markets in economic development; international trade and growth.

OBJECTIVE

Main objective of this course is to study the current income differences across countries and the underlying economic causes that can explain these disparities. By the end of this course, students should have a basic understanding of economic growth and gain the ability to evaluate the role of elements that determine growth. To that end, first part of the course will lay out theoretical foundations of economic growth. Second part will focus on empirical applications of economic theory to explore various important factors that help explain the current status of world economies such as political and cultural institutions, health and nutrition, education, labor markets and financial institutions.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • On completion of the module, students should be able to a) set up and solve some dynamic problems related to economic growth, b) develop intuitive economic reasoning to the growth issues that nations face, c) understand and illustrate the implications of certain government policies on economic growth.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES

1. Understand the world, their country, their society, as well as themselves and have awareness of ethical problems, social rights, values and responsibility to the self and to others. 4

2. Understand different disciplines from natural and social sciences to mathematics and art, and develop interdisciplinary approaches in thinking and practice. 5

3. Think critically, follow innovations and developments in science and technology, demonstrate personal and organizational entrepreneurship and engage in life-long learning in various subjects; have the ability to continue to educate him/herself. 5

4. Communicate effectively in Turkish and English by oral, written, graphical and technological means. 5

5. Take individual and team responsibility, function effectively and respectively as an individual and a member or a leader of a team; and have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. 3

1. Develop knowledge of theories, concepts, and research methods in humanities and social sciences. 5

2. Assess how global, national and regional developments affect society. 5

3. Know how to access and evaluate data from various sources of information. 5

1. Provide constructive analysis of economic phenomena at the national and international level, and interactions between the two. 5

2. Develop an understanding of organizations and institutions in the society as well as their influence on the economy. 5

3. Recognize how incentives shape the behavior of individuals and organizations. 5

4. Identify "economic" problems and propose alternative models and/or design and conduct research to provide viable solutions using theoretical tools and/or quantitative methods. 4

5. Communicate problems and solutions to managerial and policy decision-making units as well as to lay audiences. 3

ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA

  Percentage (%)
Final 35
Midterm 30
Assignment 15
Participation 10
Presentation 10

RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS

Textbook

"David N. Weil, Economic Growth, 3rd edition. Routledge" will be closely followed during the first part of this course.
Readings

Selected articles and lecture notes that will be provided by the instructor.

Students are expected to install and use Stata software to complete basic Stata exercises for the assignments. For a refresher on Stata, tutorials can be found at https://www.stata.com/links/video-tutorials/.