Drawing on the research expertise and practical experience of the Department of Economic History and the Department of International Development, this joint programme provides you with a unique opportunity to combine the study of the processes, policy and practice of contemporary development with the study of long-run global processes of growth and divergence
How societies overcome poverty to create healthy, wealthy and sustainable societies - and why some persistently fail to achieve this - are common questions in Development Studies and Economic History. By combining courses from both fields, you will pursue a high quality programme that combines the in-depth analysis of longer-run historical patterns of growth, explorations of concrete development problems - and policy responses to them, and 'regiona;' courses that draw on theory and empirical evidence to appraise long and short-run development processes and outcomes in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Teaching and Learning
The programme brings together the analysis of long-run growth with modern approaches to development policy and practice. The full-unit core course in Development introduces you to the theories and historical experience of development, as well as cutting-edge policy debates. The core course in Economic History gives you a rigorous exposure to core issues involved in analysing long-run historical change. You will choose from a wide range of elective courses in both departments, allowing you to compile a programme according to your interests and goals, and will write a dissertation on an approved topic of your choice.
Student Profile
The programme brings together students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. It is relevant for students planning a career in development work, including international and national agencies and NGOs, as well as international business. The programme also provides a good foundation for doctoral level social science research and careers in the media.
Handbook
The MSc Political Economy of Late Development Handbook is available here.
Programme Structure
Full year programme. Students must take courses to the value of four full units, including a half-unit or full-unit dissertation.
Paper 1 EH401 Historial Analysis of Economic Change (H)
Paper 2 DV400 Development: History, Theory and Policy
Paper 3 and 4
Either EH498 Dissertation (H) and courses to the value of two full units from the lists below.
or
EH499 Research Dissertation and courses to the value of 1.5 units from the lists below.
Economic History courses are listed here.
EH course videos can be found here.
International Development courses are listed here.
We advise that, where possible, you split your options equitably across the two departments.
Please note: students following this programme will not be allowed to request a place on DV431, DV442, or DV453.