Course Topics
Development models - the role of capital Development models - neoclassical Development models - contemporary Geographical factors The curse of natural resources Conflicts and civil wars Social institutions and norms Corruption The role of agriculture Urbanisation and migration Microfinance Debt and development aid

Propaedeutic courses
There are no prerequisite courses, but attendance of the course(s) Economics 1/Microeconomics and 2/Macroeconomics, and Econometrics is suggested in order to adequately follow the lectures.

Teaching format
Lectures and student presentations in seminar form (counting 40% of the final course grade)

Educational objectives
ILO (Intended Learning Outcomes) ILO 1 Knowledge and understanding ILO 1.1 ability to understand complex economic texts in the three teaching languages; ILO 1.2 understanding of the reasons for economic growth and development of countries; ILO 1.3 estimation and interpretation of econometric models for the empirical analysis of previous problems. ILO 2 Ability to apply knowledge and understanding ILO 2.1 ability to interact with native speakers fluently and spontaneously on economic topics; ILO 2.2 ability to produce texts on topics of scientific interest; ILO 2.3 ability to evaluate the effects of trade in a globalised world; ILO 2.4 ability to apply models of political economy, development and economic growth to analyse problems related to poverty, income inequality, education and health pertaining to developed and developing countries; ILO 2.5 ability to develop recommendations for growth and development oriented policy measures; ILO 2.6 ability to independently analyse data and to detect and explain relationships between real phenomena ILO 3 Making judgements ILO 3.1 Acquisition of the capacity for judgement and the methodological tools useful for the critical analysis of data, sources, assumptions and implications of scientific practice, the political, ethical and legal context within which economic phenomena are embedded and with which they interact. ILO 4 Communication skills ILO 4.1 Proficiency (oral and written) in Italian, German and English, including translation between these languages. Intercultural competence. Conceptual awareness, ability to summarise and express oneself in writing, particularly in the drafting of scientific or science-based documents. ILO 5 Learning skills ILO 5.1 Promotion of critical thinking and analytical skills that enable one to focus on complex problems in their long-term dynamics and the variety of their implications, including ethical ones.

Assessment
Final written exam (ILOs assessed: 1-5) and presentation (ILOs assessed: 2-5) OR only final written exam (ILOs assessed: 1-5). The final written examination has 2 parts: Part 1 (1 hour) for all students has 2 questions on topics covered in class. Part 2 (30 minutes) has one question on material covered in the presentations and is only for students who have not made a presentation during the course. The final written exam counts for 60% of the final grade for students who have made the presentation and 100% for other students.

Evaluation criteria
Presentations will be assessed on the basis of three dimensions: slides, exposition, understanding of material. The final written examination assesses understanding, knowledge and competence on the topics covered in the lecture.