Course content

Large differences in income across countries has motivated studies of economic growth and development. Different growth paths can be understood as a result of different economic policy, different access to natural resources, or external conditions. The interest has in particular been on political and economic institutions and the degree of openness in trade. The course includes microeconomic and macroeconomic models and covers both theoretical and empirical analyses.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

You learn

• theoretical models of poverty traps
• possible connections between natural resource abundance and economic development
• how violent conflict emerge and what connection this has with income level
• models of political economy with relevance to growth and development
• connections between institutions and economic development

Skills

You should be able to

• understand and explain how poverty traps may emerge
• discuss different effects of resource abundance for economic development
• trace out how different factors may fuel violent conflict, and for ways of empirically testing such theories
• analyze interconnections between economic and political equilibria
• discuss how different institutions may promote or retard economic development

General competence

You should be able to

• read and understand reports and research articles dealing with issues discussed in the course
• use the content of the course in your own academic work like your master thesis

Learning methods and activities

4 hours of lectures every week. The course has compulsory activity. Specific requirements will be announced at the beginning of the term. The course is an optional master's course, and is not taught every autumn semester.

Students enrolled in ISØ's master programs can take the course any semester. Contact the department (kontakt@econ.ntnu.no) to get access to learning resources in Blackboard.

Compulsory assignments

• Obligatory course work

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Compulsory courses in Master of Science in Economics

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

Announced at the beginning of the term.

Credit reductions