POVERTY AND INCOME DISTRIBUTION (ECON-6117)

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the subject of poverty and inequality. The emphasis will be on problems in the modern contemporary economy, but the topic will also be approached from an historical perspective, taking a longer term view of the distribution of income in human societies. In particular, we will examine why some individuals and groups have less access to resources and income than others. Students will learn the fundamental concepts, theories and methodologies that are used by economists to measure and understand questions related to the distribution of income. By the end of the course, students should expect to not only have a greater knowledge of the forces determining the extent of poverty and the distribution of income, but to have also gained some understanding of the methods used by economists and policy-makers to deal with them.

Course pre-requisite

Not any

Learning outcome

The students will be able to understand different techniques of poverty and income inequality, issues in their measurements. They will be able to apply their knowledge in reducing poverty and improving income inequality. They will be able to understand different poverty decomposition techniques, pro-poor growth indices. Hopefully it is expected they will be able to apply thi knowledge in their future life in solving such like problems of the economy.

Text book

1. Jonathan Haughton and Shahidur Khandker (2009) Handbook on

Poverty and Inequality. (World Bank Training Series) ISBN-10:0821376136

2. Kakwani, N. (2003), “Issues in Setting Absolute Poverty Lines”, Poverty and Social Development Paper Asian Development Bank. .

System of Evaluation

Mid Term Exam: 30%

Final Term Exam: 50%

Sessional Marks: 20%