Economic Development (11209.1)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Economic Development
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
Online real-time
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Business, Government & Law
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Canberra School Of Politics, Economics And Society Level 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
Band 5 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit examines economic problems and developmental issues facing contemporary developing nations, such as issues of poverty, inequality, economic growth, population growth and foreign aid. We will also explore alternative theories of economic development and their relevance to developing countries today.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify and analyse the economic causes of underdevelopment and the policies that can be used to address the issue;
2. Measure poverty and inequality and identify their determinants;
3. Describe economic disadvantage of indigenous Australians;
4. Explain the role of education, health, population growth and credit markets in the development process;
5. Analyse how development economics informs the practical implementation of development policies in varying local and global contexts;
6. Communicate the outcome of research through written reports or oral presentation; and
7. Reflect upon their unit experience, including theories, discussions and feedback, and how it relates to the goals set out in their professional portfolio.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

11175 Introduction to Economics.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

Basic economic concepts covered in Introduction to Economics.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 On-campus Dr Tesfaye Gebremedhin
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 Online real-time Dr Tesfaye Gebremedhin
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 Online real-time Dr Tesfaye Gebremedhin
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Tesfaye Gebremedhin
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

There is no required text book which students have to purchase for this unit. However, the following three books have been made available at the library for your perusal:

1. Gerard, R 2014, Development Economics, Taylor and Francis, New York. [E-book available at UC library]

2. Thirlwall, AP & Pacheco-López, P 2017, Economics of Development: Theory and Evidence, 10th edn, Springer, London.

  • E-book available at UC library
  • Also available for 3 day short loan and 3 hour term short loan at UC library Level B; HD82.T48 2017

3. Todaro M & Smith, S 2020, Economic Development, 13th edn, Pearson, London. [E-book available at UC library]

The timetable of activities will indicate the relevant chapters to read for each topic covered in the unit. Additional reading materials and references are also provided in the reading list on Canvas. 

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artifical Intelligence 

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Links to an external site. Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

The unit has pre-recorded lectures, which are available on canvas, and timetabled workshops which students are strongly encouraged to attend. Only those students who actively engage in workshops and watch the pre-recorded lectures should expect to receive high marks in the unit.

 

Required IT skills

Familiarity with Microsoft word would be useful. 

Work placement, internships or practicums

Not Applicable

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