Each year $100 billion is spent worldwide in aid to developing countries to help raise the world's "bottom billion.” In this course we examine problems of economic development and their potential solutions, starting from the individual experience of poverty. Employing a microeconomic framework, but also drawing on other social sciences, we will assess how some of that $100 billion is used, examining current development programs and policies (such as health, education, microfinance, labor migration, and community-based development). Students will write policy memos and short research papers and participate in classroom debates. 3 hrs. sem.