B3843 - POLITICHE PER LO SVILUPPO ECONOMICO E SOCIALE

Learning outcomes

The course wants to provide the pillars of economic policy, also studying how to monitor the success of the policies in terms of socioeconomic development. The Keynesian, neoclassical and heterodox approaches are explored from the theoretical perspective and through case studies.

At the end of the course, the student will be able to: (a) Describe the objectives, actors and constraints of development policies; (b) Individuate the core elements that distinguish the policymaking in so-called developed and developing countries; (c) Identify the main tools to monitor and evaluate the impact of the policies; (d) Formulate critical analysis on the different paradigms underlying development policies.

Course contents

The course introduces the concept of economic policy, exploring how its goals are selected and how to monitor the success of the policies, considering the main differences between so-called developed and developing countries.

The second part explores the main policies adopted o sustain economic, social and environmental sustainability (trade, labor, environmental, food, redistributive, education, migration policies).

The last part describes the succession of the main regimes of economic policy since World War II, highlighting the history of Keynesian, Neoclassic and Heterodox thinking.

Readings/Bibliography

Cornia et al. 2022. La Politica Economica dei Paesi in via di Sviluppo. Florence University Press. (parts 1, 3, and 5).

Teaching methods

The course lasts 10 weeks and is divided into 3 parts.

The first part describes the concept of economic policy, focusing on its core aspects, actors and goals.

The second part describes the main policies adopted for achieving specific goals of economic, social and environmental sustainability. Within the second part, a seminar is scheduled to give students the opportunity to present group work where they will cooperate to present an original analysis about a specific development policy. Presentation can be based on a chapter of the book and on a scientific paper available at the webpage https://virtuale.unibo.it/ .

Assessment methods

Assessment methods are different for attending and non-attending students. Attending students are those who miss no more than 5 lessons. Presences are collected since the second week of the course; attending the seminars is suggested but not mandatory.

Assessment for attending students is based on two criteria, each of whom contributes to 50% of the final vote: (1) critical and active participation in classes, including the presentation of a group work during the seminars; (2) a written exam where students are asked to answer to 2 (out of 5) open questions.

Assessment for non/attending students is based on a written exam, where students are asked to answer to 4 (out of 5) open questions.

Students that pass the exam may reject their vote only once. After a rejection of the vote, any vote > 18/30 will be recorded.

In order to take the exam, the student has to register for the exam session on AlmaEsami. Registration closes 5 days before the exam date.

Teaching tools

The ppt slides used in the lectures will be uploaded before class on the webpage https://virtuale.unibo.it/. At the same link are available papers and material that can be used for insights and group works.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Bortolotti