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International Economic Growth and Development - ECO00050H

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  • Department: Economics and Related Studies
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Andrea Papadia
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

This module draws a comparative perspective on long-run economic development in regions outside the Western world, to understand the main driving forces of prosperity, ranging from the microfoundations of poverty, education, health, etc., to the role of institutions, such as state’s capacity to collect taxes and provide public goods

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Additional information

prerequisite module: Econometrics

Other than Econometrics, the interdisciplinary nature of this module complements several other modules within this department and beyond it.

Some pre-knowledge in economic history-related topics, such as Foundations of Economic History or Topics in Economic History, as well as development-related modules (such as Development Economics) could be of an advantage; the overlap will not be substantial. Since we are going to evaluate the empirical literature, a knowledge of econometrics beyond Econometrics I can be an advantage. Having taken part in modules from other social science departments that provide an insight into the foundations of institutions (norms, values, as well as political institutions) will also be an advantage.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module is aimed at a mixed audience of students from diverse study backgrounds to provide a complex picture of economic development reaching from ideas on the emergence of norms and political institutions, the role of the family, as well as the main models that explain long run economic growth.

Students should have a profound interest in quantitative empirical studies, especially in how economists test whether a specific aspect of development (such as the introduction of a policy) has a causal effect on a development outcome (such as an increased life expectancy or income). As such, a basic knowledge in econometrics is foundational for the success in this course. The course can then provide a deeper understanding of the application of causal inference to a wide range of questions in social science, in the context of a large set of non-Western countries.

The soft skills we target at developing are students’ ability to develop a project idea on a self-chosen topic with the use of

the relevant academic literature, to shape this idea into a final research proposal, and to present their ideas to others in a verbal and in a written format.

Module learning outcomes

Students will be provided an overview of the theoretical and empirical literature on international economic development. After finishing the module, students should be able to evaluate applied studies in development economics and understand their contribution to a wider discussion.

Since the assessment of this module is mostly project-based, students will gain hands-on experience on how to pick an own project topic, develop an initial idea into a presentation, and finally into a written piece of research.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Coursework : International Economic Growth and Development		 N/A 15
Essay/coursework
Coursework : International Economic Growth and Development		 N/A 65
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Presentation : Final International Economic Growth and Development		 N/A 10
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Presentation : International Economic Growth and Development		 N/A 10

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Opportunities for formative assessment

  • Oral feedback on the presentations as well as the project outline will be provided during the small-group seminars

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
International Economic Growth and Development		 N/A 65

Module feedback

Written feedback on the seminar presentations and the project outline will be provided within 2 weeks of the presentation or the due date, respectively. Feedback on the final report will be provided within 25 working days ways after the due date.

Indicative reading

  • Mitterauer, Michael. Why Europe? : The Medieval Origins of Its Special Path. University of Chicago Press, 2010.
  • Rubin, Jared. Rulers, Religion, and Riches: Why the West got rich and the Middle East did not. Cambridge University Press, 2017.
  • Engerman, Stanley L., and Kenneth L. Sokoloff. Economic development in the Americas since 1500: endowments and institutions. Cambridge University Press, 2012.
  • Robinson, James A., and Daron Acemoglu. Why nations fail: The origins of power, prosperity and poverty. Crown Business, 2012.
  • Akyeampong, E., Bates, R. H., Nunn, N., & Robinson, J. Africa's development in historical perspective. Cambridge University press, 2014.
  • Rodrik, Dani. The globalization paradox: democracy and the future of the world economy. WW Norton & Company, 2011.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.