Professor Platteau has kindly accepted to assume responsibility for teaching the core of the course consisting of 24 hrs. of lecturing, while Professors Bardhan and Dasgupta will teach 8 hrs. each.

Course organizer:
Associate Professor Finn Tarp, Institute of Economics, University of Copenhagen

Course secretary:
Ms. Vibeke Kovsted, Institute of Economics, University of Copenhagen, Studiestræde 6, DK-1455 Copenhagen K. Phone (+45) 35 32 44 03. Fax (+45) 35 32 30 00. E-mail: vibeke.kovsted@econ.ku.dk

1. Introduction

The Institute of Economics at the University of Copenhagen is organising a two-week intensive ph.d. course for advanced graduate students of economics on the above topic from 1 to 13 June 1997. No previous specialised studies within the area of institutional economics are assumed, but participants must have the necessary background in economics and technical skills to follow a course at ph.d. level in economics with a particular focus on development problems. Further details on the course, which is open to participants from other Nordic countries in accordance with the Nordic Doctoral Programme in Economics, are given below.

2. Background and purpose

During the last decade institutions and institutional economics have received much attention from both mainstream and development economists alike, and research topics under this theme are currently placed high on the research agenda in economics. The reason for this is twofold:

(i) The new institutional economics can possibly bridge the gap between the predictions and explanations of conventional neoclassical economics and observed empirical outcomes - thus providing alternative or supplemental explanations of socio-economic realities.

(ii) The rapid development of the analytical tools available in both applied and theoretical economics has made it possible for economists to encompass and model a wider set of environments - thus formally incorporating previously identified institutional aspects and dimensions into standard economic theory.

In a development economics context various authors have underscored the importance of institutional aspects to development processes, and the central position of institutional economics in current development economics is clearly reflected in the recently published third volume of Handbook of Development Economics, which contains three entries directly addressing institutional aspects and problems.

Against this background the ph. d. course at the University of Copenhagen aims at familiarizing the participants to new institutional economics and its applications within development economics. Special reference will be made to agrarian institutions and rural aspects of development.

3. Course outline

Three economics professors of international repute have agreed to lecture for a total of 40 hours during the course in accordance with the following outline:

(i) Introduction

Professor Bhardan on 1 and 2 June (8 hrs).