International Organizations and Economic Development

3 credits · Peabody College - Professional

This course provides a framework for understanding the process of economic development and the role and history of policy and international organizations in influencing development. The course begins with an examination of various theories and evidence on the development process, including the microeconomic underpinnings of development, and the history of international organizations' involvement in development activities. Topics will include political institutions and the political economy of development policy; markets and the state; international trade and finance; foreign aid policy and flows; labor and migration; culture and human rights, and the role of evaluation in guiding development. Special attention will be given to international efforts to promote human capital accumulation, social protection (education and health) and the well-being of children in developing countries. The course will also draw historical and contemporary examples of development challenges from a range of countries land will consider the knowledge and data at hand for guiding improvements in development policy through international organizations. [3]