ECON 3373 Impact Evaluation in Developing Countries
Enrollment limited; significant writing/research component.. This course reviews advanced econometric techniques and research designs used to estimate the causal effect of programs or policies implemented in developing countries. Fixed effects, difference-in-difference, instrumental variable, and propensity score methods are discussed as are regression discontinuity, natural experiment, and randomized experiment designs. The economic rationale for such programs is also addressed. Topic areas include health, education, service delivery, insurance, and micro-finance.
Course overview
- Department
- Economics
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall, Every Spring
Requirements fulfilled
- International Studies: Concentration: Cooperation and Conflict – approved courses (six courses in one concentration) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- International Studies: Concentration: Ethics and Social Justice – approved courses (six courses in one concentration) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- International Studies: Concentration: Political Economy and Development Studies – approved courses (six courses; either cluster counts) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Economics B.A.: Economics elective options (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- International Studies: IS Core: one approved Economics elective numbered 2000 or above (after ECON1101) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.05 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.12 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 5
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Paul Cichello | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 10+ hrs/week | 4 of 8 |
| Spring 2025 | Paul Cichello | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 7–9 hrs/week | 4 of 5 |
| Fall 2024 | Paul Cichello | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4–6 hrs/week | 9 of 13 |
| Fall 2022 | Paul Cichello | 3.9 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 7–9 hrs/week | 15 of 17 |
| Fall 2021 | Paul Cichello | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | — | 9 of 13 |