Course #
57500

This is a class about big questions and big ideas in international development. It's designed for any Master’s student in the final quarter of their degree who have concentrated on international development. The course will involve heavy amounts of reading and writing, including weekly assignments that involve critical reviews of books, papers, and ideas, including a long final assignment. There will be an opportunity for students to give input into topics, but subjects will include:

(1) Deep thinkers on development — What does it mean to be developed and what’s the right approach?

(2) The challenges of top-down and state-led development strategies

(3) Understanding development success stories

(4) How academic theory can shape real work policy

(5) Applying these lessons to failed and fragile states

For a final assignment, students will propose a country or regional development strategy, or choose an ambitious policy proposal, and write a paper applying the readings and ideas from the course to their strategy/policy document.

Prerequisites: Students must be in their graduating quarter. They must have taken a Harris class in economic development. Students who took Order and Violence with Prof Blattman in Spring 2020 are not eligible for this class due to thematic overlap.