Course Catalogue

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This course aims to encourage critical analysis, interpretation and discussion of information to apply to the study of poverty, discrimination and development. We will use literature based on theoretical models, empirical results and behavioural experiments to understand poverty traps and development out of poverty. The teaching methods used in this course will be characterised by being student-centred and enquiry-based learning.

Lectures: 10 x 2-hour lectures

Entry to an Honours programme in Economics or a minimum grade C3 (average) in Economics 2A and 2B for students taking an Honours programme in another subject.

None

None

ILO (covered)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The main aims of the course are to:

• Stimulate the intellectual curiosity and the exercise of critical thinking to disentangle political economic problems related to poverty and economic development.

• Encourage the acquisition of a breadth and depth of knowledge within economics of poverty, discrimination and development.

• Stimulate the enthusiasm, leadership and the ability to positively influence public policies on fighting against poverty and discrimination towards development.

• Encourage the acquisition of an understanding of human behaviour to achieve development of societies.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Clearly explain and critically analyse the literature used in the economics of poverty, discrimination and development
2. Critically examine the context in which the poor undertake decisions and analyse how economic development is affected by human behaviour
3. Identify specific areas for intervention to alleviate poverty, propose a plan of action, recognise the challenges and feasibility of the proposal
4. Critically evaluate policies related to poverty, discrimination and development
5. Work effectively individually and in groups to produce an output

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.