Poverty and Policy

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The course applies the tools of economic and public policy analysis to the study of poverty. There will be an emphasis throughout on existing research in economics, using theoretical tools and micro-econometric methods, as well as policy examples from a variety of contexts worldwide. The course aims to give students an understanding of the existing epistemological definitions and measurements of poverty; the causes and self-reinforcement mechanisms of deprivation; the prevalence of poverty and severity trends worldwide; existing best practices for poverty reduction, and modern principles of poverty policy design. By the end of the course, students should (i) have an overview of the global trends and characteristics of poverty; (ii) read specialized literature and apply their knowledge of economic theory and econometrics to the design, implementation, and evaluation of poverty policy; and (iii) understand the critical debates in thinking about deprivation at a global scale.