EC6064 - Development Economics (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Development Economics | ||||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This is a core module on all Economics undergraduate courses. It enables students to acquire a systematic knowledge and understanding of the main theories, issues, policy debates, and empirical evidence in economic development with particular focus on emerging economies.
It will equip students with the analytical tools to critically evaluate the economic challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries and assess policies designed to address issues such as poverty, inequality, education, health, trade and climate change.
It develops students’ ability to examines different perspectives on economic development and apply economic principles and analysis in a variety of contexts in policy formulation.
It encourages students to reflect and draw on their diverse socio-cultural backgrounds.
The aims of this module are:
1. You will acquire deep knowledge and understanding of the main theories, issues and policies in economic development such as poverty, inequality, education, health, trade and climate change.
2. You will be equipped with the ability to interpret and critically assess empirical evidence in economic development and policy debates in a range of areas such as poverty, inequality, education, health, trade and climate change.
3. You will develop a global awareness of the economic, social, political, cultural, ethical and gender dimensions of sustainable development goals and challenges. issues.
4. You will be able to critically examine comparative economic development in selected emerging economies such as India, China and Russia.
Prior learning requirements
N/A
Available for Study Abroad? YES
Syllabus
Introduction to concepts of economic development: LO1, LO3, LO4,
Different definitions and indicators of development, discussion of different human development indices, characteristics of the developing world, comparative economic development, sustainable development goals and recent evidence
Different theories of economic development: LO1, LO3, LO4
Classic and modern theories of economic growth, development, and structural transformation
Poverty: LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Definition, measurement, characteristics of the poor, recent global trends, role of poverty in development and policy debates
Inequality: LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Definition, measurement, recent global trends, role of inequality in development and policy debates
Human capital: LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Role of education and health in economic growth and development, recent global trends, policies and the gender gap
The environmental crisis: LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Climate change, environmental issues affecting economic development and the poor and evaluation of recent trends
International trade: LO2, LO3, LO4
Role of trade and industrial development strategy in economic development, recent trends and policy debates
Comparative economic development: LO3, LO4
Analysis of economic development and performance of emerging economies such as India, China and Russia using recent empirical evidence.
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Students’ learning is organised around formal direct contact time with the teaching team, and reflective independent learning. Student formal contact time is normally 3 hours per week consisting of 2 hours lecture and 1 hour seminar. Lectures are interactive and deliver core subject knowledge, theory and analysis in development economics. Seminars are student centred and facilitate student learning through discussion of seminar questions, examination of case studies and formative feedback.
Students are expected to complement the 'formal' learning activity with independent reading; engaging with research published in academic journals; participating in class discussions; analysing case studies; solving economic development problems; conducting research; writing, planning and preparing for the final coursework assessment.
Students' employability and transferable skills in particular, subject research; communication; quantitative analysis; problem solving; analytical thinking; and critical evaluation are developed during formal learning sessions, independent directed learning and summative assessment tasks. Students are expected to reflect on their learning in seminars and through tutor feedback.
The module makes extensive use of a virtual learning environment platform, WebLearn, where module handbook, lecture slides, seminar questions, guideline answers to seminar questions, case studies, assessment and feedback strategies, assessment and grading criteria, and other relevant learning materials are provided. Links to other online resources, government data bases and videos are also available on Weblearn.
Students are encouraged to reflect and draw on their diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and demonstrate ethical and socioeconomic awareness in their coursework assessment, where appropriate.
As part of the assessment, students are required to apply Artificial Intelligence to a range of concepts and evaluate its implications.
Students are encouraged to engage with the career development and employment skills resources within London Metropolitan's Gateway to Success Weblearn unit.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and critical evaluation of different measures, theories, issues and policies in development economics such as growth, poverty, inequality, education, health, trade and climate change
2. Provide quantitative reasoning by interpreting and assessing empirical evidence for a range of issues and policies in economic development such as poverty, inequality, education, health, trade and climate change.
3. Critically examine comparative economic development and performance of emerging economies such as India, China and Russia, as well as analyse the interconnected economic, social, environmental, political and gender dimensions of sustainability challenges and discuss solutions.
4. Demonstrate research, written communication, quantitative reasoning, analytical, critical evaluation and problem-solving skills and global, social, cultural, political and ethical awareness and understanding as well as apply Artificial Intelligence to a range of concepts and evaluate its implications