BA Modern Language and Business & Management (Russian)

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Economic History

Course unit fact file
Unit code ECON20212
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

The unit aims to:

  1. Provide an introduction to key developments in the history of economics
  2. Provide insights into how economic analysis can explain or help to understand important historic events
  3. Examine how economies have operated and functioned in the past, and consider the value of economic history today 

Pre/co-requisites

NOT available to final year students.

Not available to third years.

Aims

The unit aims to:

  1. Provide an introduction to key developments in the history of economics.
  2. Provide insights into how economic analysis can explain or help to understand important historic events.
  3. Examine how economies have operated and functioned in the past, and consider the value of economic history today.
     

 

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course unit it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. Understand key developments that have taken place in economic thought
  2. Explain, discuss and analyse important economic events in the past including the main economic mechanisms and interactions that took place
  3. Understand economic behaviour within a broader historical context

 

 

Syllabus

Preliminary overview of the syllabus/topics (subject to change).

1. Introduction (1 lecture)

a. Course overview

b. Why study this course?

c. Battle of Methods

2. History of economics (2 lectures)

a. Mercantilism, classical economics, and the free trade movement

b. Class conflict and the marginalist revolution

3. The industrial revolution (2 lectures)

a. Understanding the industrial revolution, the Malthusian Trap and the Great Divergence

b. Key innovations: how they happened, the role of patents, skills, and policy. Changes in system of innovation over time.

4. Globalisation and economic crises (1 lecture)

a. The first globalisation

b. Great Depression, German hyperinflation

5. Colonialism and economic development (1 lecture)

a. Origins and types of colonialism, slavery, colonial policies, links with globalisation

b. Case studies

6. Economics and the environment (1 lecture)

a. History of how economists address environmental issues

b. Understanding environment-economy interactions

Teaching and learning methods

Online Learning and Guided Self-Study

Intellectual skills

Students will develop skills in applying basic economic analysis in a variety of contexts.

Students will develop expertise in evaluating the experience of a diverse range of economies in a rigorous manner. These skills will help prepare students for a range of careers requiring a knowledge of economic analysis and historical change

Practical skills

Students will develop their ability to read economic literature; process and critically evaluate different sources of information; and develop a sustained and coherent written argument.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Students will develop presentation and interpersonal skills through participation in tutorial sessions.

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Analyse and understand economic phenomenon in a variety of contexts
Oral communication
Present work and engage in interpersonal discussion through participation in tutorial sessions.
Research
Undertake independent research and develop a sustained and coherent written argument.

Assessment methods

10% Group Presentation

15% Multiple Choice Mid-Term Exam

75% Essay (1,500 words)

Feedback methods

  • Students will receive feedback from interactions in tutorials, PASS groups, office hours, a lecture session on essay writing advice, and individual feedback on an essay plan
  • Individual and general feedback will also be provided on the group presentation and final essay

Recommended reading

Blum, M. and Colvin, C. (eds.), An Economist’s Guide to Economic History, 2018

 

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Edward Manderson Unit coordinator

Additional notes

For every 10 course unit credits we expect students to work for around 100 hours. This time generally includes any contact times (online or face to face, recorded and live), but also independent study, work for coursework, and group work. This amount is only a guidance and individual study time will vary.

Return to course details