Why is there such large variation in living standards between countries, and why have a few countries escaped poverty within a generation while others have stagnated? Within poor countries, what unique economic circumstances do different institutions and cultural phenomena yield, and how do people respond to them? This course introduces what economists know - and what uncertainties remain - about these questions. We first ask why nations have developed so differently, weighing the roles of geography, institutions, and cultural and social phenomena, alongside the mechanics of growth: savings and the returns to investment, human capital, and corruption. We then turn from nations to households, studying how families manage labor, risk, investment opportunities, and contracting in situations without simple legal enforcement, and how education, cultural norms and gender shape economic life in the developing world. Throughout, the focus is on empirical method as much as findings: how credible development research establishes cause and effect, and where the field remains unsettled.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain key concepts and theories in development economics.
- Critically assess different methodological approaches used in development research and policy evaluation.
- Analyse the effectiveness of major development policies and interventions, drawing on empirical evidence from a range of country contexts.
- Evaluate the roles of geography, institutions, and historical legacies in shaping development outcomes.
- Apply development economics tools and evidence to real-world problems, demonstrating clear reasoning and an ability to communicate findings effectively.
Indicative Assessment
- Typical assessment may include, but is not restricted to: exams, assignments, quizzes, presentations and other assessment as appropriate. (100) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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Workload
130 hours in total over the semester consisting of lectures, tutorials and private study time.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
See Class Summary
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8937 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |