ECO3033 : Development Economics
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
- Module Leader(s): Dr Smriti Sharma
- Lecturer: Dr Reza Arabsheibani
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module should aims to provide an understanding of:
1. The key theoretical models of growth and development
2. Key concerns faced by developing countries today and how to use economic tools and reasoning to develop a better understanding of these problems and potential solutions
The module will start by providing an introduction to development and measurement of key indicators of development. It will then proceed to discussing the seminal theories of growth and development. These theories and other empirical concepts will then be used to study key themes in development economics such as human capital (health and education), conflict, gender, and the importance of institutions etc.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module will cover topics such as:
Models of growth and development (Lewis model, Big Push, O-ring)
Poverty and inequality (concepts and measurement)
Agriculture and land tenure
Industrialisation
Urbanisation and migration (Harris-Todaro model)
Trade liberalisation and development
(Intuitive) introduction to causal inference
Geography and institutions
Public goods provision
Human capital: health, education and child labour
Credit, insurance, and microfinance
Fertility and gender
Conflict
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 55:00 | 55:00 | End-of module assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 28 | 1:00 | 28:00 | 28 PiP (or online synchronous lectures in case of Covid restrictions in place) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | 6 PiP (or online synchronous debates in case of Covid restrictions in place) |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | Preparation for the debate and the group report |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | One revision session: PiP (or online synchronous in case of Covid restrictions in place). |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures are the primary means of delivery of content to students. These provide an overview of the main topics and their treatment in earlier and current literature. Seminars require students to explore how economic analysis has been applied to particular topics recently and to give oral debates on their group work. Independent study involves following up on reading list references, library and website resources for oral debates, report submission, and examination preparation.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 70 | The alternative assessment if PiP exams are not possible is a 24-hour takeaway online exam. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 30 | Individual Report on prescribed topics. Due mid-way through semester 2. Report 2000 words. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Questions about development theories and evidence will be provided. |
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | Questions about development theories and evidence will be provided. Will also discuss progress on the individual reports. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The unseen written exam is an appropriate way to assess students' understanding of the subject and their ability to effectively answer questions within a given time frame.
The report provides the student with the opportunity to demonstrate effective in-depth, written communication of the experimental process and its outputs.
Students will have informal feedback opportunities to discuss the progress on their reports during seminars, and pre-assessment clinics offered to answer questions on the report.
In the case of an alternative assessment for semester 2 (70% of the module mark) being necessary due to circumstances, the Module Leader will in discussion with the DPD and the University, discuss possible acceptable online alternatives, such as a take home exam delivered online with a set time limit to complete (24 hours or less as deemed appropriate).
Report - would not be affected.
RESIT INFORMATION: If students are eligible to a second attempt resit will be an exam and the resit calculation will be based 100% on the completed exam.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ECO3033's Timetable