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81531 - Economic Inequality and Sustainability

Academic Year 2024/2025

                
                        Docente:
                        Corrado Benassi
                    
                        Credits:
                        6
                    
                        SSD:
                        SECS-P/01
                    
                        Language:
                        English
                    
                        Teaching Mode:
                        Traditional lectures
                        
                            Campus:
                            Rimini
                        
                            Corso:
                            Second cycle degree programme (LM) in
                            Resource Economics and Sustainable Development (cod. 8839)

                            Teaching resources on Virtuale
                        
                                    Course Timetable
                                
from Nov 04, 2024 to Dec 03, 2024

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the successful student has acquired a working knowledge of the basic issues, both technical and theoretical, regarding the definition and measuring of economic inequality. S/he is also acquainted with the main issues concerning the connection between inequality amd sustainability, with particular emphasis on economic performance in the short and in the long run.

Course contents

Introduction: General perspectives on economic development and income distribution: stylized facts, comparative analysis, and theoretical approaches.
Basic tools and ideas: (a) sustainability; (b) measurement: inequality, polarization and poverty.
Applications and case studies: (a) Historical perspectives on income inequality; (b) Global inequality and global polarization; (c) Distribution, redistribution and growth; (d) Poverty traps; (e) Polarization and conflict.

Readings/Bibliography

Some background knowledge of basic micro and macro theory (at the undergraduate level) is highly recommended. Useful general material for the course is provided by P.J.Lambert, The Distribution and Redistribution of Income, Manchester University Press, Manchester, 2001; M.P.Todaro and S.C.Smith, Economic Development, Pearson Education Ltd, 2020. Further references and a list of readings will be provided in class.

Teaching methods

This is a taught course with lectures.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of (a) a short essay (max 5000 words) which is worth up to 1/3 of the overall grade (10 points), and (b) an oral discussion of the material covered in class, worth up to 2/3 of the overall grade (20 points). Students are required to register in advance for their oral exam through AlmaEsami according to the general rules of the University. Grading is on a 30 point basis, with minimum pass grade 18/30 (18-23: sufficient; 24-27: good; 28-30: very good; 30 plus distinction: excellent).

Teaching tools

Most lectures will involve topics presentation by the teacher and class discussions. Handouts will be available for students.

Office hours

See the website of Corrado Benassi

SDGs

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.