The course aims at developing students’ ability and competence in the understanding of issues related to the process of economic development. The course is focused on the effects and the determinants of the process of economic development. Firstly, the lectures examine the main economic effects (economic growth, poverty and inequality dynamics) as well as the social and institutional consequences of the process of economic development (democratization, conflicts, colonialism). Then, the course evaluates the long-run determinants of the contemporary divergence in income per-capita across and within countries (fertility, physical and human capital accumulation). Finally, the course offers insights on the economic policies promoted in the underdeveloped world.