ECON30570 Economic Growth

Academic Year 2023/2024

Why are some countries rich and some countries poor? Is inequality between countries inevitable or can developing countries catch up with the developed world? What drives economic growth and what policies can we pursue to promote growth? Is continued growth incompatible with tackling climate change? These are important questions for all inhabitants of this planet, as well as for future generations. This module will employ economic theory, empirical analysis and informed debate to understand the nature of these questions and how we can begin to answer them.

Module Aims:
To ensure students appreciate and understand the concepts and facts associated with the vast range of issues associated with economic growth and development.
To introduce students to the detailed analyses of these topics, such as those of understanding the role of productivity, resources, resource efficiency, climate/geography, human and physical capital, and the role of government.
To cultivate student appreciation in balancing the theory associated with these topics with that of the political economy of economic growth and development.
To develop an understanding of how these theories of growth speak to wider discussions, including ideas of why some countries are richer than others, ideas of how growth may differ for countries at different stages of their development, and how the relative importance of different factors, may change throughout history.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge and Understanding:
On completion of the course, students should have a clear picture of the proximate and ultimate drivers of economic growth and development. They should also understand the debates and points of contention surrounding economic growth and be able to apply this understanding to critically evaluate competing arguments and new research theories.
This module also provides opportunities for the student to acquire or enhance the following skills:

Subject-specific Skills:
the ability to construct evidence-based arguments and exercise problem solving skills in an economic growth context.
the ability to draw parallels between historical, contemporary and future growth experiences
the ability to comprehend academic literature in economic growth
the ability to understand, evaluate and commentate on policies relating to economic growth and development.

Cognitive Skills:
Problem solving
Logical and mathematical reasoning
Independent enquiry
Critical evaluation and interpretation
Self-assessment and reflection

Transferable Skills:
The ability to synthesise information/data from a variety of sources including from databases, books, articles and the internet
The ability to reason and evaluate and recommend on the basis of such reasoning
Organisation and time management
Problem solving and critical analysis

Work-based IT skills:
The ability to work both independently and in groups
Students will also develop their numerical and written communication skills.

Indicative Module Content:

The course will be based around the textbook Economic Growth (3rd Edition, International, Routledge/Pearson, 2014) by David Weil. A supplementary text will be How the World Became Rich: The Historical Origins of Economic Growth (Polity Books, 2022) by Mark Koyama and Jared Rubin.

Topics covered will include:

1. Physical Capital
2. Population
3. Human Capital
4. Technology
5. Efficiency
6. Government, Culture & Institutions
7. Geography, Climate & Natural Resources

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will use a number of teaching and learning approaches to reach the aims of the module. These include lecture based learning of content, independent study and problem solving. Assessment will employ a combination of group and individual assignments to develop analytical, computational and theoretical skills related to the study of economic growth. Critical writing and reflective learning are also important components. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: Case study analysing the different factors influencing economic growth over the long run for a county of your choice. Week 11 n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

30
Examination: Final exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

70

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn