DV490 Half Unit
Economic Development Policy I: Applied Policy Analysis for Macroeconomic Development
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Diana Weinhold
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Anthropology and Development, MSc in Development Management (Applied Development Economics), MSc in Development Management (Applied Development Economics) (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Development Management (Political Economy), MSc in Development Management (Political Economy) (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Economic Policy for International Development, MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change, MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environmental Economics and Climate Change) (LSE and Peking University), MSc in Health and International Development, MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies, MSc in Political Economy of Late Development and MSc in Political Science (Political Science and Political Economy). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
Students on the MSc Development Management (ADE) stream, in addition to students on the MSc Development Studies/MSc Health and International Development considering the ADE specialism, will need to attend the Applied Development Economics session on Monday 22 September 2025.
Deadline for application: You should make your request to take ID courses by 12 noon Friday 26 September 2025.
You will be informed of the outcome by 12 noon Monday 29 September 2025.
Students do not need to write a statement to apply for this course.
For queries contact: Intdev.enquiries@lse.ac.uk
Requisites
Additional requisites:
DV490 is designed to be taken in tandem with Foundations of Applied Econometrics for Economic Development Policy (DV494). The methodological complexity and sophistication of DV490 evolves through the term in synchrony with DV494. In turn, the empirical material in DV490 is designed to enhance and reinforce methodological lessons from DV494.
The combination of DV490 and DV494 is designed to be accessible and challenging for students from a range of backgrounds, from those with no economics or statistics training to those with fairly strong backgrounds in both. We approach economic theory and quantitative causal inference from an applied perspective to enable students to understand and critically engage with the frontier of applied research in development economics.
Course content
This course explores the theory and empirics of long-run economic growth in developing countries. Lectures provide analytical but non-technical overviews of themes such as growth theory, institutions and history, economic geography, trade and globalization, inequality, inflation and financial crises, debt, and international aid. There is a strong emphasis on how the body of knowledge has evolved over time via the synthesis of theoretical advances and rigorous empirical testing.
Seminars are primarily designed around critical engagement with applied quantative analysis in macroeconomic development. In tandem with methodological lessons taught in DV494, students in DV490 build analytical skills to critically engage with academic development research and appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence base for macroeconomic policies.
While some background in economics and/or statistics is helpful, when taken in tandem with DV494 the course is designed to be engaging and challenging for students from a broad variety of backgrounds, from those with no economics and statistics to those with more advanced skills in either one or both areas. Strong analytical skills (whether quantitative or not) and a sturdy work ethic are the best predictors of success.
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6.
Formative assessment
Weekly online quizzes provide formative feedback on student progress. In addition students are expected to complete weekly unassessed problem sets and come prepared to discuss them in seminars.
Indicative reading
The bulk of the course will be taught using journal articles and a reading list will be handed out at the beginning of the Autumn Term sessions. We also refer to The Quest for Growth by W. Easterly, MIT Press (2001)
Assessment
Problem sets (30%)
Written test (70%)
The written test (70%) is a 48 hour online exam.
Key facts
Department: International Development
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 71
Average class size 2024/25: 18
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Commercial awareness
- Specialist skills