Isabel Günther: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Name Prof. Dr. Isabel Günther
FieldDevelopment Economics
Address
Professur für Entwicklungsökonomie
ETH Zürich, CLD B 9
Clausiusstrasse 37
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 87 50
E-mailisabel.guenther@nadel.ethz.ch
DepartmentHumanities, Social and Political Sciences
RelationshipAssociate Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
851-0626-01LInternational Aid and Development
Does not take place this semester.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of economics
2 credits2VI. Günther
AbstractThe course gives economic and empirical foundations for a sound understanding of the instruments, prospects and limitations of international development aid.
ObjectiveStudents have a theoretically and empirically sound understanding of the prospects and limitations of international development aid. Students are able to critically discuss the various aid instruments of bi-and multilateral donors and NGOs.
ContentIntroduction to the Determinants of Underdevelopment; History of Aid; Aid and Development: Theories and Empirics; Political Economy of Aid; Experience and Impact of Aid; New Instruments of Aid: e.g. Micro-Finance, Budget-Support; Fair-Trade.
LiteratureArticles and book abstracts will be uploaded to a course website.
851-0626-02LPhD Colloquium in Development Economics Restricted registration - show details 2 credits1KI. Günther
AbstractPhD students interested in empirical development economics will present their ongoing work, with a particular focus on the methods (to be) used and challenges faced. Participants are expected to read the drafts/papers/presentations beforehand and give constructive feedback to the PhD student presenting.
ObjectivePhD students learn how to present and discuss their own research questions, methods, results and problems. PhD students get familiar with the challenges of empirical research in developing countries.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe colloquium will take place about 8 times per semester. The schedule will be arranged together with the PhD students at the beginning of the semester.
860-0006-00LApplied Statistics and Policy Evaluation Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 20.

Science, Technology, and Policy MSc and MAS in Development and Cooperation have priority.
3 credits3GI. Günther, K. Harttgen
AbstractThis course introduces students to key statistical methods for analyzing social science data with a special emphasis on causal inference and policy evaluation. Students learn to choose appropriate analysis strategies for particular research questions and to perform statistical analyses with the statistical Software Stata.
ObjectiveStudents
- have a sound understanding of linear and logit regression
- know strategies to test causal hypotheses using regression analysis and/or experimental methods
- are able to formulate and implement a regression model for a particular policy question and a particular type of data
- are able to critically interpret results of applied statistics, in particular, regarding causal inference
- are able to critically read and assess published studies on policy evaluation
- are able to use the statistical software STATA for data Analysis
ContentThe topics covered in the first part of the course are a revision of basic statistics and linear and logit regression analysis. The second part of the course focuses on causal inference and introduces methods such as panel data analysis, difference-in-difference methods, instrumental variable estimation, and randomized controlled trials mostly used for policy evaluation. The course shows how the various methods differ in terms of the required identifying assumptions to infer causality as well as the data needs.
Students will apply the methods from the lectures by solving weekly assignments using statistical software and data sets provided by the instructors. These data sets will cover topics at the interface of policy, technology and society. Solving the assignments contributes to the final grade with a weight of 30%. Students are assisted in solving the assignments during the exercises session.
865-0003-00LDevelopment Economics Restricted registration - show details
Only for MAS in Development and Cooperation.
3 credits4GI. Günther, K. Harttgen
AbstractThis course is an introduction to theoretical and empirical discussions on economic development, with a focus on the challenges of developing countries over the last 50 years. The course provides answers to the following questions: How can and should development be measured? What factors drive economic growth and contribute to poverty reduction?
ObjectiveStudents are able to
- critically discuss economic questions in the context of developing countries
- critically discuss policy recommendations for economic development.
Content- measurement of development, poverty and inequality,
- growth theories
- trade and development
- education, health, population and development
- states and institutions
- economic policies for economic growth and poverty reduction
- economics of development aid