Isabel Günther: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2020

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
751-1500-00LDevelopment Economics3 credits2VI. Günther, K. Harttgen
AbstractIntroduction into basic theoretical and empirical aspects of economic development. Prescriptive theory of economic policy for poverty reduction.
ObjectiveThe goal of this lecture is to introduce students to basic development economics and related economic and developmental contexts.
ContentThe course begins with a theoretical and empirical introduction to the concepts of poverty reduction and issues of combating socioeconomic inequality. Based on this, important external and internal drivers of economic development and poverty reduction are discussed as well as economic and development policies to overcome global poverty. In particular, the following topics are discussed:

- measurement of development, poverty and inequality,
- growth theories
- trade and development
- education, health, population and development
- states and institutions
- fiscal,monetary- and exchange rate policies
Lecture notesNone.
LiteratureGünther, Harttgen und Michaelowa (2020): Einführung in die Entwicklungsökonomik.
Prerequisites / NoticeVoraussetzungen:
Grundlagenkenntisse der Mikro- und Makroökonomie.

Besonderes:
Die Veranstaltung besteht aus einem Vorlesungsteil, aus eigener Literatur- und Recherchearbeit sowie der Bearbeitung von Aufgabenblättern.

Die Vorlesung basiert auf: Günther, Harttgen und Michaelowa (2019): Einführung in die Entwicklungsökonomik. Einzelne Kapitel müssen jeweils vor den Veranstaltungen gelesen werden. In den Veranstaltungen wird das Gelesene diskutiert und angewendet. Auch werden offene Fragen der Kapitel und Übungen besprochen.
851-0624-00LETH4D PhD Seminar: Research for Development Restricted registration - show details
Does not take place this semester.
Number of participants limited to 15.
1 credit1KI. Günther
AbstractDoctoral candidates from all ETH departments, whose research is related to development issues, are invited to give a presentation about their on-going work and discuss their doctoral project with a diverse group of Researchers.
ObjectiveDoctoral students are able to present their doctoral project to an interdisciplinary audience and to respond to questions within a wider development context.
Prerequisites / NoticeBlock seminar on two days in the spring semester: 30th April and 7th May 2020.
851-0647-00LETH Model United Nations (MUN) Restricted registration - show details 2 credits1SA. Rom, I. Günther, L. Hensgen
AbstractIn this course students will participate in a Model United Nations (MUN), deepen their knowledge about the United Nations (UN) and the opportunities and challenges the UN system currently faces and strengthen their negotiations and public speaking skills.
Objective• Students get an understanding of how the United Nations works, its history as well as the opportunities and challenges the UN system currently faces.
• Students strengthen their negotiations and public speaking skills
• Students familiarize themselves with a particular country’s priorities and strategies for UN negotiations
ContentIn this course students learn about the UN system, its challenges and opportunities, strengthen their negations and public speaking skills and they get an opportunity to represent the interests of a country at a Model United Nations (MUN). The course consists of five sessions (March 9th/ March 23rd/ April 6th/ April 27th/ May 4th 5.15 PM- 7.00 PM) that include teaching and discussions about the UN system with external experts as well as the preparation and participation in a MUN in Zurich (May 1st- May 3th 2020). Upon request and at students’ own expense they can also attend a MUN in another location.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course consists of five sessions (March 9th/ March 23rd/ April 6th/ April 27th/ May 4th 5.15 PM- 7.00 PM) that include teaching and discussions about the UN system with external experts as well as the preparation and participation in a MUN in Zurich (May 1st- May 3th 2020). Upon request and at students’ own expense they can also attend a MUN in another location.
The course is co-organized with the ETH MUN. Similar courses are offered at UZH, HSG, University of Bern, University of Geneva.
860-0042-00LStatistics 2 Restricted registration - show details
Only for MSc Science, Technology and Policy
4 credits2GK. Harttgen, I. Günther
AbstractThis course introduces students to key statistical methods for analyzing social science data with a special emphasis on causal inference and policy evaluation.
ObjectiveStudents
- have a sound understanding of standard regression techniques
- 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 and linear regression and non-linear regression techniques such as probit 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, regression discontinuity design, and randomized controlled trials 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 bi-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%.
865-0000-06LImpact 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 credits3GI. Günther, A. Rom
AbstractThe 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.
ObjectiveParticipants 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.
ContentIntroduction 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 / NoticeStudents of the course must fulfil requirements specified on the homepage of NADEL. Electronic registration may be done only after registration with NADEL secretariate.
865-0042-00LFinancial Management of Projects
Does not take place this semester.
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 credits2GI. Günther
AbstractThe 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.
ObjectiveThe 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 / NoticeStudents of the course must fulfill requirements specified on the homepage of NADEL.