Summer 2025 - ECON 355W D100
Economic Development (4)
Class Number: 1460
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Maliha Nazir
mnazir@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
ECON 103 with a minimum grade of C- or ECON 113 with a minimum grade of A-; ECON 105 with a minimum grade of C- or ECON 115 with a minimum grade of A-; 60 units.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Analysis of theories of economic development. Consideration will be given to the requirements of successful development, to aspects of international co-operation, and to procedures of economic planning. Problems of emerging countries and models of various developing economies will be studied. Students with credit for ECON 355 or ECON 455 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
Description:
This course is an introduction to development economics. The main goal is to analyze and understand the sources of economic growth and development or lack thereof in poor countries. Both theoretical foundations and empirical evidence will be covered. This course is designated writing intensive (W) which requires completing short writing assignments on a frequent basis.
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Week |
Topic |
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Due dates |
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1: May 12 |
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Introduction to Economic Development Larry Summer Memo Case Study: Comparative Economic Development: Pakistan and Bangladesh |
Read Chapter 1 |
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2: May 19 |
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No class on May 19-Victoria Day |
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3: May 26 |
• • |
Comparative Economic Development Case Study: Institutions, Colonial Legacies and Economic Development: Ghana and Cote d’ |
Read Chapter 2 Topics of Presentation posted |
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Ivoire |
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4: June 2 |
• • |
Poverty, Inequality and Development Case Study: India: Complex Challenges and Compelling Opportunities |
Read Chapter 5 Assignment 1
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5: June 9 |
• • |
Population Growth and Economic Development Case Study: Twins Growing Apart: Burundi and Rwanda |
Read Chapter 6 |
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6: June 16 |
• |
Urbanization and Rural Urban Migration: Theory and Policy
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Read Chapter 7 Assignment 2 |
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7: June 23 |
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Case Study: Rural -Urban Migration and Urbanization in Developing countries: India and Botswana |
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8: June 30 |
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Midterm Exam |
Midterm 1 |
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9:July 7 |
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Human Capital: Education and Health in Economic Development Case Study:Pathways out of poverty- Progresa/Oportunidades in Mexico |
Read Chapter 8 Assignment 3 |
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10: July 14 |
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Agricultural Transformation and Rural Development Case study: The need to Improve Agricultural Extension for Women Farmers: Kenya and Uganda |
Read Chapter 9
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11: July 21 |
• • |
The Environment and Development Case Study: The role of Development NGOs: BRAC and the Grameen Bank |
Read Chapter 10 Assignment 4 |
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12: July 28 |
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Midterm Exam |
Midterm 2 Exam |
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13: August 4 |
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BC Day -No class session |
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COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, a successful learner will demonstrate the ability to:
• Describe and analyze the features of less developed economies and the development challenges they face.
• Understand the concept of inequality, the significance of agriculture in developing countries, poverty and population issues, and the importance of foreign aid.
• Examine significant policy options available to government and international organizations to address economic development challenges.
• Analyze empirical evidence on the patterns of economic development.
• Comprehend journal articles in the area of economic development.
Grading
- Class and tutorial Participation 20%
- Assignments 30%
- Midterm Exams (25% each) 50%
NOTES:
Assignments:
There will be four assignments posted ahead of time on Canvas. Each assignment has 7.5% weightage.
Use Turnitin to submit the assignments. The instructions will be provided in the class
The class id and enrollment key will be provided to you by your TAs. Setup your accounts using
Setting up a new account – Turnitin Guides
Refer to the policy Turnitin - Centre for Educational Excellence - Simon Fraser University (sfu.ca)
Class and Tutorial Participation:
The class participation will be evaluated based on in-class activities done in a group. Multiple group discussions will be held during the term. You must actively participate to earn points. The group discussions will be based on a topic assigned by the instructor. You can have different group members for each group discussion session. The class participation is worth 15% and the tutorial participation is worth 5% of your grade.
The instructions for each group discussion will be provided by the instructor during the class. If you are not present during that time, you will not earn any points. Active participation by answering the questions accurately in class and submitting the answers on Canvas will ensure full credit for each session. If you are present in the class but do not participate, then no credit will be awarded.
Midterm Exams:
The midterm exams will be held in the class. If you are sick and miss the exam then the weight will be shifted to the second midterm exam. There will be no make-up midterm exams.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Todaro, Michael and Stephen Smith, Economic Development, 13th Paperback ed., Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2022. ISBN-13: 9781292453323
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.
Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period until you receive confirmation of your exam dates.
Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.