The course aims at introducing students to (1) some key concepts necessary for the understanding of economic development processes, (2) some important practical aspects of economic development, especially in the context of transition economies, and (3) the role of institutions in economic development. The course participants will develop skills to use the studied concepts in discussion and argumentation about development issues, and to recognise economic development issues and their potential solutions in practice. 

Main topics: Heterogeneity in concepts of development. Problems of measuring development. Some key classic and contemporary theories of economic development. Coordination problems and economic development. Institutions and economic development. Poverty, inequality and economic development. Human capital, technological change and economic development. Development challenges and opportunities in transition economies.