Course:FRE521G
| Special Topics in Food and Resource
Economics - Economic Development | |
|---|---|
 | |
| FRE 521G | |
| Section: | |
| Instructor: | Dr. Rick Barichello |
| Dr. Mukesh Eswaran | |
| Email: | rick.barichello@ubc.ca
Mukesh.Eswaran@ubc.ca |
| Office: | |
| Office Hours: | TBA |
| Class Schedule: | Feb 26-Apr 12
Tue&Thur 10-11:30 am |
| Classroom: | MCML 154 |
| Important Course Pages | |
| Syllabus | |
| Lecture Notes | |
| Assignments | |
| Course Discussion | |
| [[Category:]] | |
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The focus of the course is to provide working knowledge of frameworks and underlying factors of economic development that are particularly relevant in the area of institutions, environment, agriculture and resources. In this course, the theoretical literature will be applied to the real-world experience of developing countries so that students gain knowledge and can critically review economic development frameworks that encourage development in select countries.
The first section of the course examines economic development from the perspective of factor markets including capital investment, labor mobility and urban versus rural wages. The integrating role of institutions as mechanisms for risk sharing and incentives for technology adoption is also featured. The second part of the course uses important papers in the field to examine the role of agriculture in economic development, especially how institutions and property rights can explain the economic development of countries, and how these features interact with gender and culture.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the concepts of economic development and poverty reduction, including identification of the many dimensions of these concepts, as they apply to food and resources.
- Discuss frameworks involved when thinking about economic development.
- Understand the importance of institutions, property rights, gender, labour, social capital and geography on economic development.
- Identify and explain theories of economic development and utilization of empirical evidence in this field.
- Identify select literature and data sources most relevant to this topic.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
Group Project: This group project requires the development of a project proposal that includes the following elements:
- Research Question: Development of a good question in this field ( based upon course topics, your interest and discussions with the professor)
- Literature Review
- Theoretical framework utilized and justification for the selection
- Data and Analysis required to conduct research
- Expected results of the project
- Limitations
Length: Approximately 6 to 10 pages
More details will be provided as the class progresses.
BIG QUESTIONS & REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS IN CLIMATE, FOOD AND THE ENVIRONMENT COVERED IN THE COURSE
- What bigger question is there than how to increase incomes overall and reduce poverty in developing countries?
- What measures and policy initiatives will increase food security in a world where climate changes are making production more difficult and costly?
- How can we improve incomes and wellbeing for women in developing countries, when they are now receiving lower incomes and wellbeing than men, especially within the agriculture and food sector where many are now employed?
ASSESSMENT METHODS
Your grade shall be determined as follows
| Evaluation | Date | Percent of Grade |
| Final Exam in-class | TBA | 50% |
| Individual Assignments (2) | Assignment 1: Week 1 to 3
Assignment 2: Week 4 to 6 |
20% |
| Group Project (Group of Two Students) | End of term | 30% |