Economics of Developing Economies T. Gindling
Econ 385/685 Office: 330 Public Policy
Spring, 2018 TuTh: 4:00-5:15
UMBC and by appointment.
Readings: The primary text for this course is:
Dwight Perkins, Steven Radelet, David Lindauer, and Steven Block, 2013, Economics of Development, Seventh Edition, W. W. Norton and Company, New York.
In addition to this text, you will be responsible for additional readings. The following pages give an approximate schedule and reading list for the course. You will be expected to read the material to be covered BEFORE we discuss it in class. I will let you know exactly when you should read each section. The text is available in the bookstore. Additional readings will be available from me or on the web.
Course Objectives: This course is a survey of the principles and problems of the economies of developing economies. Topics covered include the dimensions of poverty and inequality, patterns of development, sources of growth, role of trade and industrialdevelopment, education, health, the agricultural sector and environmental sustainability. We will include case studies from Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Grading:
Undergraduate Students Midterm Exam (March 15) 100 points Final Exam (May 17, 6-8PM) 100 points
Bi-weekly Reports75 points
Class Participation 25 points
300 points
Graduate Students Midterm Exam (March 15) 100 points Final Exam (May 17, 6-8PM) 100 points
Bi-weekly Reports75 points
Research Paper100 points
Class Participation 25 points
400 points
Bi-weekly Report on One Developing Country: Choose a specific developing country and approximately every other week give to me a short report on a news story related to a topic covered in class since the previous weekly report. The story should illustrate something that we learned in class. The report should be approximately three paragraphs that include the following: a short summary of the news story, a discussion of how this story relates to what we have covered in class, and an analysis of the story using knowledge that you have gained in this class or in other economics classes. You must cite the source of the story using an accepted citation method. You may use any reputable news source to gather your information. Do not use a story unless you know the source—the newspaper or magazine or journal or organization that published the story.
You must let me know which country you have chosen by February 6. Your first report will be due February 8. You must give each report to me by the end of class on the day it is due (hand in a hard copy—do not email your report to me). In total, there will be 6 reports. The reports will be due February 8, February 22, March 8, April 5, April 19 and May 3.
Graduate Student Research Paper: A 15-25 page paper related to one of the topics that we will discuss in this class. The paper should include an econometric analysis and the following sections: introduction, literature review, theoretical (analytical) model, data and econometric model/methodology, results, conclusion and limitations. The topic of your paper must be approved by April 17. The papers are due on or before the last day of class (May 15).
Preliminary Reading List
Economic Development (Econ 385)
T. Gindling
I. Introduction to Economic Development in Developing Economies. (3 classes)
Perkins, et. al., Chapters 1 and 5.
II. Economic Growth (3 classes)
Perkins, et. al., Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 10.
III. Poverty and Income Distribution (3 classes)
Perkins, et. al., Chapter 6.
Ravi Kanbur, 2001, "Economic Policy, Distribution and Poverty: The Nature of the Disagreements," World Development, Vol, 29, No. 6, pages 1083-1094. Available at:
Martin Ravallion, 2004, "Competing Concepts of Inequality in the Globalization Debate," in Susan Collins and Carol Graham, Brookings Trade Forum 2004, pages 1-38. (Also published as World Bank Working Paper 3243, available at
Martin Ravallion, 2013, “How Long Will it Take to Lift One Billion People Out of Poverty?” World Bank Policy Research Paper 6325, January, available at:
IV. Trade and Development (3 classes)
Perkins, et. al., Chapters 18 and 19.
MIDTERM EXAM(March 15)
V. Foreign Investment, Debt and Inflation (2 classes)
Perkins, et. al., Chapters 12 and 13.
VI. Foreign Aid (2 classes)
Perkins, et. al., Chapter 14
VII.Population Growth (2classes)
Perkins, et. al., Chapter 7
VIII. Education (3 classes)
Perkins, et. al., Chapter 8.
IX. Health and Nutrition (2 classes)
Perkins, et. al., Chapter 9.
X. Agriculture (2 classes)
Perkins, et. al., Chapters 16 and 17.
XI. Sustainable Development (2 classes)
Perkins, et. al., Chapter 20.
FINAL EXAM (May 17, 6:00 PM)
1