Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - ECON 355W D100

Economic Development (4)

Class Number: 2077

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 103 with a minimum grade of C- or ECON 113 with a minimum grade of B-; ECON 105 with a minimum grade of C- or ECON 115 with a minimum grade of B-; 45 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.

COURSE DETAILS:

Description
We study one of the central questions in economics: why some countries are rich while others remain poor. The course examines how factors of production and technology shape growth, and why their accumulation and organization is often hindered by financial frictions, coordination failures, and policy mistakes. We conclude by studying deeper determinants of development, including institutions and culture, that help explain persistent cross-country differences.
Note that this course is designated as writing intensive (W) and, as such, will require the regular completion of written assignments.

Overview of Course Content
This course has two main goals: to study economic development and to develop students’ writing skills. From an economic perspective, the course starts by documenting large differences in income and growth across countries. It then examines the economic forces that account for these differences and examines why these forces themselves vary across countries. Topics include:
● Measuring economic development and the importance of GDP per capita
● Geographical and historical variation in development outcomes
● Capital accumulation and economic growth
● Human capital, technology and economic growth
● Financial Frictions as barriers to entrepreneurship and capital accumulation
● Moral Hazard, contract enforcement, and misallocation
● Returns to scale and poverty traps
● Positive externalities, coordination issues, and industrial policy
● Political institutions, culture, and historical persistence
Concomitantly with the study of development economics, students will develop writing skills through both theory and practice. The emphasis is on communicating economic arguments and transforming models and empirical evidence into well-structured written analysis. Topics include:
● Clarity: Choosing Words and Building Sentences
● Continuity: Tying Sentences Together
● Coherence: Structuring Paragraphs and Texts
● Concision: Maximizing Efficiency, Minimizing Words
● Cadence: Making Sentences Sophisticated and Rhythmic

Prerequisites
ECON 103 or 200 and 105 or 205; 60 units. Students with credit for ECON 355 or 455 may not take ECON 355 for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.

Grading

  • Participation 10%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Written assignments 40%
  • Final Exam 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

This course uses a collaborative reading platform (Perusall) to access the required textbook. Please wait until the course begins before purchasing the book, as instructions for access will be provided in class.

Douglas, Yellowlees. Writing for the Reader’s Brain: A Science-Based Guide. Cambridge University Press, 2024.

Additional readings will be provided during the term.

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: 


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.