Isabel Günther: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2021

Name	Prof. Dr. Isabel Günther
Field	Development Economics
Address	Professur für Entwicklungsökonomie ETH Zürich, CLD B 9 Clausiusstrasse 37 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND
Telephone	+41 44 632 87 50
E-mail	isabel.guenther@nadel.ethz.ch
Department	Humanities, Social and Political Sciences
Relationship	Associate Professor

Number	Title	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
851-0624-00L	ETH4D PhD Seminar: Research for Development Number of participants limited to 15.	1 credit	1K	I. Günther, A. Rom, E. Tilley
Abstract	Doctoral candidates from all ETH departments, whose research is related to global sustainable development issues, and conducting research in low- or middle-income countries are invited to give a presentation about their on-going work and discuss their doctoral project with a diverse group of researchers.
Learning objective	Doctoral students are able to present their doctoral project to an interdisciplinary audience and to respond to questions within a wider global sustainable development context.
851-0626-01L	International Aid and Development Number of participants limited to 60 Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of economics	2 credits	2V	K. Harttgen, I. Günther
Abstract	The course gives economic and empirical foundations for a sound understanding of the instruments, prospects and limitations of international development aid.
Learning objective	Students 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.
Content	Introduction 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.
Literature	Articles and book abstracts will be uploaded to a course website.
851-0626-02L	PhD Colloquium in Development Economics	1 credit	1K	I. Günther, K. Harttgen
Abstract	PhD students working 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.
Learning objective	PhD students learn how to present and discuss their own research questions, methods, results and problems. PhD students get familiar with the challenges of empirical economics research in low income countries.
Prerequisites / Notice	This is a two days course.
865-0000-06L	Impact Evaluations in Practice Only for MAS/CAS in Development and Cooperation students, as well as specialists with at least 24 months of practical experience in international cooperation. ETH doctoral students working on topics related to poverty reduction in low- and middle income countries may also be admitted. Registration only through the NADEL administration office.	2 credits	3G	I. Günther, A. Rom, K. Schneider
Abstract	The course gives an introduction to the most important methods for rigorous impact analysis of development programs and projects. The course is designed to both cover the most fundamental methods of impact analysis and introduce real world case studies from national, international and non-governmental development organizations and asks how rigorous impact analysis has influenced their policies.
Learning objective	Participants understand the most important methods of impact analysis. They are able to conduct small scale studies to evaluate the impact of their own programs as well as manage larger impact evaluations for their organizations. Participants are able to use the results of own and external impact studies.
Content	Introduction to rigorous impact analysis; Case studies and their policy implications; Introduction to the required statistical knowledge; Potentials and limitations of quantitative analysis; Experimental and quasi-experimental methods; Relevant and feasible indicators for the measurement of outcomes and impacts; Data collection and analysis; Project management of an impact analysis.
Prerequisites / Notice	Students of the course must fulfil requirements specified on the homepage of NADEL. Electronic registration may be done only after registration with NADEL secretariate.
865-0003-00L	Development Economics Does not take place this semester. Only for MAS in Development and Cooperation.	3 credits	3G	I. Günther
Abstract	This 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?
Learning objective	Students 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
865-0008-00L	Policy Evaluation and Applied Statistics Does not take place this semester. Only for MAS in Development and Cooperation and Science, Technology, and Policy MSc.	3 credits	3G	I. Günther
Abstract	This course introduces students to key methods for quantitative policy impact evaluation and covers the different stages of the research process. Acquired skills are applied in a self-selected project applying experimental methods. Students also learn how to perform simple statistical analyses with the statistical Software R.
Learning objective	Students - know strategies to test causal hypotheses using experimental methods and regression analysis. - are able to formulate and implement a research design for a particular policy question and a particular type of data. - are able to critically read and assess published studies on policy evaluation. - are able to use the statistical software R for data analysis. - can apply all the steps involved in a policy impact evaluation.
Content	Policy impact evaluation employs a wide variety of research methods, such as statistical analysis of secondary data, surveys or laboratory and field experiments. The course will begin with an overview of the various methodological approaches, including their advantages and disadvantages and the conditions under which their use is appropriate. It will continue with a discussion of the different stages of a policy impact evaluation, including hypothesis generation, formulating a research design, measurement, sampling, data collection and data analysis. For data analysis, linear regression models will be revised, with a focus on difference-in-difference methods, regression discontinuity design and randomized controlled trials used for policy evaluation. Students, who already have a solid background in these methods can skip these sessions. Throuhgout the course, students will work on a self-selected project on a suitable topic. In addition, students will have to solve bi-weekly assignments.
865-0011-01L	Sanitation and Water Supply in Development Does not take place this semester. Only for MAS in Development and Cooperation.	2 credits	2G	I. Günther
Abstract	The course provides an overview of the links among sanitation, water supply, waste management and environmental and health aspects. It gives an understanding of the specific challenges and possible solutions in ensuring environmental services and illustrates their impact on the population and settlements.
Learning objective	The participants are able to - present the global situation and development trends in the sector of sanitation, water supply, waste management and for its main actors; - discuss the relationships between water supply, sanitation and health; - explain the principles of technologies for drinking water treatment, the management of sewage and waste, as well as appraise their strengths and weaknesses; - explain which sustainable concepts are implemented and how they can be inserted into the technical, institutional and social structures so that they are economically, ecologically and socially sustainable; - provide information where good professional resources are available.
865-0042-00L	Financial Management of Projects Only for MAS/CAS in Development and Cooperation students, as well as specialists with at least 24 months of practical experience in international cooperation. ETH doctoral students working on topics related to poverty reduction in low- and middle income countries may also be admitted. Registration only through the NADEL administration office.	2 credits	2G	I. Günther, M. Störmer
Abstract	The course conveys basic knowledge of methods and instruments for the financial management and the economic analysis of development projects. Case studies and exercises are used to make students familiar with methods and instruments of financial management.
Learning objective	The course conveys basic knowledge of methods and instruments for the financial management and the economic analysis of development projects. Case studies and exercises are used to make students familiar with methods and instruments of financial management.
Prerequisites / Notice	Students of the course must fulfill requirements specified on the homepage of NADEL.
876-0201-00L	Technology and Policy Analysis Only for CAS in Technology and Public Policy: Impact Analysis	8 credits	5G	T. Schmidt, E. Ash, R. Garrett, I. Günther, L. Kaack, A. Rom, B. Steffen
Abstract	Technologies substantially affect the way we live and how our societies function. Technological change, i.e. the innovation and diffusion of new technologies, is a fundamental driver of economic growth but can also have detrimental side effects. This module introduces methods to assess technology-related policy alternatives and to analyse how policies affect technological changes and society.
Learning objective	Introduction: Participants understand (1) what ex ante and ex post policy impact analysis is, (2) in what forms and with what methods they can be undertaken, (3) why they are important for evidence-based policy-making. Analysis of Policy and Technology Options: Participants understand (1) how to perform policy analyses related to technology; (2) a policy problem and the rationale for policy intervention; (3) how to select appropriate impact categories and methods to address a policy problem through policy analysis; (4) how to assess policy alternatives, using various ex ante policy analysis methods; (5) and how to communicate the results of the analysis. Evaluation of Policy Outcomes: Participants understand (1) when and why policy outcomes can be evaluated based on observational or experimental methods, (2) basic methods for evaluating policy outcomes (e.g. causal inference methods and field experiments), (3) how to apply concepts and methods of policy outcome evaluation to specific cases of interest. Big Data Approaches to Policy Analysis: Participants understand (1) why "big data" techniques for making policy-relevant assessments and predictions are useful, and under what conditions, (2) key techniques in this area, such as procuring big datasets; pre-processing and dimension reduction of massive datasets for tractable computation; machine learning for predicting outcomes; interpreting machine learning model predictions to understand what is going on inside the black box; data visualization including interactive web apps.
Literature	Course materials can be found on Moodle.