Applications and Cases in International Development (fall)
DEV 401Y -2
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
This course has two objectives: first, to systematically explore the nature of change in the development process, and of the associated role of policy and institutional design; and second, to illustrate the use of the range of concepts and techniques learned in other MPA/ID core courses in the diagnosis of development change. This will include the normative analysis of change (applying various concepts of well-being, efficiency, social justice and poverty), the application of economic concepts (to the interpretation of household and firm behavior, strategic interactions and economy-wide patterns), and the role of political, governmental and social behavior in shaping the possibilities for, drivers of and resistance to change. This will be undertaken through a mixture of discussion of overall patterns backed by a strong focus on case studies in particular country settings. Examples of topics are education, health, economic growth, the management of financial crises, pension reform, managing common property resources, international migration, community development, the design of decentralization and corporate structure. The core teaching will be complemented by a visiting speaker series, from the worlds of ideas and practice, to both expose students to a variety of perspectives and actual experience; this will be drawn both from faculty and outside the school.
Course Notes
This course is required for first-year MPA/ID students. It is not open to non-MPA/ID students. Please note, this is one half of a yearlong course. Students enrolled in the fall section will automatically be enrolled in the spring section.
Class Notes
Students enrolled in this course attend two class meetings a week. Students may register for one of two sections of this course. Both sections of the course meet together for one of the weekly meetings and meet in separate time blocks for the other weekly meeting. Course sections and meeting times are listed separately in my.harvard for registration.
Not Available for Cross Registration
