The course deals with essential issues related to economic development and sustainability with the objective of developing advanced skills for policy-oriented economics research in development economics. The approach is to present state-of-art economic development theories and models, investigate their empirical validity and the underlying pre-requisite conditions, and draw out the implications for institutional and policy designs. Major issues related to economic development and sustainability are discussed and illustrated using the experiences and lessons of selected countries and regions. Relevant economic theories and models are employed to explain these issues and to inform policy making, followed by a thorough discussion of existing case studies from around the world. Students will gain experience using modern statistical tools to analyse development issues and policy responses in developing economies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate advanced understanding of development economics theories and essential policy issues.
2. Critically evaluate economic challenges faced by developing economies.
3. Design applied research to analyse key issues in economic development.
4. Apply empirical methods to statistical datasets to test hypotheses in development economics.
5. Develop potential policy reforms for developing economies.

Research-Led Teaching

Several of the topics I teach are directly connected to my research interests, particularly in the areas of seasonal migration, microcredit, and technology adoption. My scholarly contributions to these fields have significantly shaped and enriched my teaching, ensuring that it is both informed and influenced by my research.

Required Resources

There is no single textbook that will be strictly followed in the lectures. However, one book is highly recommended. The weekly topics covered in class will broadly correspond to the relevant chapters in the recommended textbook. The textbook is:

Ray, D. (1998). Development Economics, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.

Recommended Resources

Supplementary readings

Banerjee, A. and E. Dubo, Poor Economics: Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty, 2011.

For some of the topics, the reading materials will primarily consist of journal articles, which will be listed on Wattle.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

CRAWFORD ACADEMIC SKILLS

The Crawford School of Public Policy has its own Academic Skills team dedicated to helping students to understand the academic expectations of studying at Crawford and succeed in their chosen program of study. Through individual appointments, course-embedded workshops and online resources, Crawford Academic Skills provides tailored advice to students keen to develop their academic reading, thinking, planning, writing, and presentation skills.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction and overview: Foundations of economic development
2	Income inequality, poverty, and development	Tutorial 1
3	Evaluating development impacts	Tutorial 2
4	Markets in developing countries	Tutorial 3
5	First exam	First exam will take place during the class hours, Tutorial 4
6	Labour and migration	Tutorial 5, in-class paper discussion and presentation
7	Economics of lending to the poor	Tutorial 6, in-class paper discussion and presentation
8	Risk, insurance, and technology adoption	Tutorial 7, in-class paper discussion and presentation
9	Nutrition, poverty, and poverty-trap	Tutorial 8, in-class paper discussion and presentation
10	Transfers and social protections	Tutorial 9, in-class paper discussion and presentation
11	Governance, corruption, and political economy of development	Tutorial 10, in-class paper discussion and presentation
12	Review of unit contents	Tutorial 11, in-class paper discussion and presentation

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
First exam	30 %	30/08/2025	1, 2, 3,5
In-class paper discussion and presentation	10 %	*	3,4
Participation	10 %	28/11/2025	1,2
Final examination	50 %	28/11/2025	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

First exam

The first exam will be held online during class time in Week 5. It is designed to assess students' understanding and application of key concepts in economic development, covering the material from the first four weeks of course. The exam will last for 60 minutes and will be a closed-book format, proctored, with no materials allowed.

Assessment Task 2

In-class paper discussion and presentation

From Weeks 6 to 12, students will collaborate in pairs to review and present a designated reading. Each pair must sign up for a presentation slot, which will be delivered during tutorial hours each week. Presentations should not exceed 15 minutes, including 5 minutes for questions and answers. Marks will be divided equally between joint work and individual performance in presenting and answering questions. Additional details will be provided in the Week 1 lecture.

Assessment Task 3

Participation

Participation is defined as a process in which students are actively engaged in communication with each other, the tutor, and the unit coordinator. The learning objective is to develop a deep understanding by contributing to the generation of ideas and critically evaluating them. Students may participate by posting comments, and by asking and answering questions during lectures and presentations.

Due date: Throughout the semester.

Assessment Task 4

Final examination

A final exam of 120 minutes of writing time will be held during the ANU Semester 2 examination period.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students