Economics

First module: Introducing Economic Development: A Global Perspective Comparative Economic Development and Causal Inference. Second module: Impact evaluation in development economics. Case studies Economy and Religion Chaney, E. (2013). Revolt on the Nile: Economic shocks, religion, and political power. Econometrica, 81(5), 2033-2053. Culture and labor Alesina, A., Giuliano, P., & Nunn, N. (2013). On the origins of gender roles: Women and the plough. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 128(2), 469-530. Ecology and development Alsan, M. (2015). The effect of the tsetse fly on African development. American Economic Review, 105(1), 382-410. Social Capital and innovation Conley, T. G., & Udry, C. R. (2010). Learning about a new technology: Pineapple in Ghana. American economic review, 100(1), 35-69. Persistence: slavery and forced labor Nunn, N. (2008). The long-term effects of Africa's slave trades. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 123(1), 139-176. Dell, M. (2010). The persistent effects of Peru's mining mita. Econometrica, 78(6), 1863-1903. Geography and ethnicity Michalopoulos, S. (2012). The origins of ethnolinguistic diversity. American Economic Review, 102(4), 1508-1539. Infrastructures and development Dinkelman, T. (2011). The effects of rural electrification on employment: New evidence from South Africa. American Economic Review, 101(7), 3078-3108. The origin of the state Mayshar, Joram, Omer Moav, and Luigi Pascali. "The origin of the state: Land productivity or appropriability?." Journal of Political Economy 130.4 (2022): 1091-1144. Growth and terrorism Abadie, A., & Gardeazabal, J. (2003). The economic costs of conflict: A case study of the Basque Country. American economic review, 93(1), 113-132. Third module: Impact evaluation - international agencies

Basics of political economy, econometrics, and statistics.

Slides Chaney, E. (2013). Revolt on the Nile: Economic shocks, religion, and political power. Econometrica, 81(5), 2033-2053. Alesina, A., Giuliano, P., & Nunn, N. (2013). On the origins of gender roles: Women and the plough. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 128(2), 469-530. Alsan, M. (2015). The effect of the tsetse fly on African development. American Economic Review, 105(1), 382-410. Conley, T. G., & Udry, C. R. (2010). Learning about a new technology: Pineapple in Ghana. American economic review, 100(1), 35-69. Nunn, N. (2008). The long-term effects of Africa's slave trades. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 123(1), 139-176. Dell, M. (2010). The persistent effects of Peru's mining mita. Econometrica, 78(6), 1863-1903. Michalopoulos, S. (2012). The origins of ethnolinguistic diversity. American Economic Review, 102(4), 1508-1539. Dinkelman, T. (2011). The effects of rural electrification on employment: New evidence from South Africa. American Economic Review, 101(7), 3078-3108. Mayshar, Joram, Omer Moav, and Luigi Pascali. "The origin of the state: Land productivity or appropriability?." Journal of Political Economy 130.4 (2022): 1091-1144. Abadie, A., & Gardeazabal, J. (2003). The economic costs of conflict: A case study of the Basque Country. American economic review, 93(1), 113-132.

Attendance is not compulsory but strongly suggested.

Option 1: Write an essay on a published scientific paper. The structure of the essay must be as follows: Introduction: Clearly state the research question. Explain why this question is important. Cite the related literature and show how this question is original and contributes to the existing body of research. Describe how the empirical research method addresses this question. Summarize the main findings and their implications. Data: Briefly describe the data used (sources, sample period, number of observations, list of variables used, etc.). Make sure to explain why and how this data is employed. Empirical strategy: Discuss the theory that guides the empirical analysis, for example by explaining the possible mechanisms through which the treatment variable affects the outcome. Describe the identification strategy and the identifying assumption (i.e., the assumption that allows the estimated coefficients to be interpreted as causal effects). Empirical results: Discuss only the main results, also using tables and figures when necessary. Remember to: i) report the estimated equations shown in the tables, ii) explain the estimation method used (OLS, IV, SUR, Probit, etc.), including how standard errors are computed, iii) explain the purpose of each column in the regression table and discuss the interpretation of the estimated effects. Conclusions: Briefly summarize the results, explaining their originality and contribution to the literature, and draw the (policy-relevant) implications. Note: The essay must focus on a paper related to development economics and must be previously approved by the instructor. To take the exam, the essay must be submitted one week before the selected exam date [see Infostud]. The exam will consist of a discussion of the essay. Email subject: Development Economics 2026 Option 2: Present a research project containing the results of an original analysis conducted using R. You may choose between: working with data provided by the instructor; working with data of your own choice. Four lessons will be dedicated to assisting you in preparing the data for your project. Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. The preliminary results of your research will be presented during the course. During the presentation, you will receive feedback and suggestions from the instructor and classmates to be incorporated into your final work. Note: The project must focus on a topic related to development economics and must be previously approved by the instructor. To take the exam, you must submit the essay and all materials required for the replication of the results one week before the selected exam date [see Infostud]. The exam will consist of a discussion of the essay. Email subject: Development Economics 2026

The course will be organized in 24 classes of two hours.