PP454 One Unit
Development Economics
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Gharad Bryan
Availability
This course is available on the Double Master of Public Administration (LSE-Columbia), Double Master of Public Administration (LSE-Sciences Po), Double Master of Public Administration (LSE-University of Toronto), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Hertie), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and NUS), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Tokyo), MPA in Data Science for Public Policy, MRes in Management (Marketing), Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy. This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
Priority is given to students from the School of Public Policy. Students from other programmes will be considered if places remain. MPP students, second year MPA Double and Dual Degree students and students from outside of the School of Public Policy should submit a statement in support of their request. Previous economics and econometrics are required for all students (please give details in your statement).
Deadline for application: 9am on Monday of week 1 of Autumn Term (including requests from School of Public Policy students). We aim to inform students of the outcome of their request by 12noon on Tuesday of week 1 of Autumn Term.
For queries contact: mpa@lse.ac.uk
Deadline for application: 9am on the Monday of Autumn Term week 1 (including requests from School of Public Policy students). We aim to inform students of the outcome of their request by 12noon the following day, Tuesday of Autumn Term week 1.
For queries contact: mpp@lse.ac.uk
Requisites
Mutually exclusive courses:
This course cannot be taken with EC428 at any time on the same degree programme.
Additional requisites:
The expectation is that students will have previously taken PP440 and PP455 or other equivalent courses. Students who have not taken PP440 and PP455 (including MPA Dual and Double Degree students spending Year 2 at LSE) will require permission from the course lecturer to attend the course.
Course content
In this course, students will apply their understanding of economics and econometrics to the task of policy making in developing countries. The focus is on acquiring the necessary theoretical and empirical skills to engage in the rigorous analysis of public policies in developing countries. Topics at the forefront of development economics will be covered. These include political economy, trade liberalization, growth, access to finance, technology adoption, education, health, infrastructure, property rights, land reform, gender, environment, mass media and political accountability. The emphasis will be on combining theory and data to evaluate the effectiveness of policies in these different areas.
Teaching
10 hours of seminars and 22 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.
10 hours of seminars and 22 hours of lectures in the Winter Term.
Formative assessment
Students to complete weekly exercises based on course readings with one of these exercises being marked in a given term.
Indicative reading
A reading list will be distributed at the start of the course.
Assessment
Exam (60%), duration: 180 Minutes, reading time: 15 minutes in the Spring exam period
Essay (40%, 2000 words)
Key facts
Department: School of Public Policy
Course Study Period: Autumn and Winter Term
Unit value: One unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 11
Average class size 2024/25: 11
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.