ECN 303  |  Level 3  |  Semester 1

Development Economics

Instructor: Dr. Khalid Imran
Department of Management, HSTU
Textbook: Todaro & Smith — Economic Development

Course Objectives

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to development economics. Students will examine the nature of economic underdevelopment, compare development experiences across nations, and critically evaluate classic and contemporary theories of growth and development. Special emphasis is placed on poverty, inequality, population dynamics, and urbanisation as central challenges facing developing countries. The course follows Chapters 1–7 of Todaro & Smith's Economic Development.

Topics Covered

  • Chapter 1 — Introducing Economic Development: A Global Perspective
    What is development? Traditional vs. modern economics perspectives, the Human Development Index, and measuring development beyond income.
  • Chapter 2 — Comparative Economic Development
    Common characteristics of developing nations, diversity among the developing world, and structural comparisons with developed economies.
  • Chapter 3 — Classic Theories of Economic Growth and Development
    Linear-stages theory (Rostow's stages of growth), structural-change models (Lewis two-sector model, Chenery's empirical patterns), and the international dependence revolution.
  • Chapter 4 — Contemporary Models of Development and Underdevelopment
    Neoclassical counter-revolution, new endogenous growth theory, new institutional economics, and their policy implications.
  • Chapter 5 — Poverty, Inequality, and Development
    Measuring poverty and inequality (Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient, poverty gap index), the poverty trap, and redistribution-with-growth policies.
  • Chapter 6 — Population Growth and Economic Development
    The demographic transition model, causes and consequences of rapid population growth, the demographic dividend, and population policy debates.
  • Chapter 7 — Urbanisation and Rural-Urban Migration
    The Todaro migration model, causes and consequences of rural-urban migration, urban informal sector, and urbanisation policy in developing countries.

Assignment

Assignment — Development Economics (ECN 303)

Topic: Understanding Development from the Bottom — A Beggar Interview Study

Each student is required to conduct a face-to-face interview with a beggar or street-level poor individual in their local area. The objective is to move beyond textbook definitions of poverty and underdevelopment and engage directly with the lived experience of those at the very bottom of the economic ladder. Through this exercise, students will connect fieldwork observations to the theories covered in Chapters 1–7 — particularly the concepts of poverty traps, inequality, migration, and the human dimension of development.

  • Identify and approach a beggar or extremely poor individual willing to be interviewed.
  • Conduct a structured or semi-structured interview covering their background, livelihood, migration history, and living conditions.
  • Document the conversation faithfully and reflect on what it reveals about development theory.
  • Write a short report (2–3 pages) linking your findings to at least two concepts from the course.
  • Submit your report individually using your Student ID.
File Submission Rules:
  • Maximum file size: 5 MB per file.
  • Accepted formats: PDF, DOC, DOCX.
  • Files larger than 5 MB will not be accepted — compress if needed.
  • Name your file as: StudentID_Assignment (e.g., 12345_Assignment.pdf).

Submission: Fill in the form below with your name, Student ID, and upload your report.

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