ECI5590 · Poverty, inequality and opportunity

Overview

Ending poverty is justifiably an overarching aim of all development efforts, and it is enshrined as the first of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations. Likewise, tackling inequality in opportunities and outcomes has been at the forefront of a wide range of public policy debates. This unit will review key conceptual, methodological and practical issues in measuring and monitoring poverty, inequality and opportunity. You will also discuss evidence, ongoing debates and relevant policies on these issues within and outside of Indonesia.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. understand key concepts, including an appreciation of ongoing debates, about the measurement and monitoring of poverty and inequality, including inequality of opportunity
2. become familiar with the global evidence on poverty and inequality
3. understand the main tools of distributional analysis at “macro” and “micro” levels
4. gain an understanding of policies to combat poverty and inequality including economy-wide policies promoting pro-poor growth, sectoral policies especially in relation to education and health, and targeted policies such as cash and in-kind transfers, public employment programs.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.