* be able to analyze the process of development from an interdisciplinary viewpoint, drawing on economics, history, political science and sociology;
* acquire knowledge about datasets and indicators of economic, political and social development, and have knowledge about what it means for an economy to be labelled "emerging";
* be able to position contemporary debates around development (emergence) in a historical context, and analyze how historical conditions and processes shapes modern-day developments;
* understand that socio-economic development changes the conditions of doing business, as well as the role and position of the business community in society

This course is focused on long-run and deep questions related to economic development, such as: Why are poor countries poor and rich countries rich? How are wealth and poverty related to changes in health, life expectancy, education, population growth and politics? Emphasis is placed on periods of economic transition (emergence), with focus on how social, economic and political conditions change during such periods. In addition to long-run and foundational questions, the course covers recent topics such as the 2008 financial crisis and the recent turmoil in the BRIC economies and other emerging markets, as well as recent intellectual developments on the role of institutions and the importance of state formation and cultural dimensions of development.

Szirmai, Adam (2015), Socio-Economic Development, Second edition, Cambridge University Press and additional academic readings.