BA Modern Language and Business & Management (French)

The unit aims to:

•       Provide an intermediate-level exposure to modern research in economic history, with a focus on comparative and quantitative aspects.

•       Enhance student’s understanding of how economics can be applied to explain or help to understand past events, many of which still affect us today.

We will cover the economic (and when relevant, political) development of different societies in the past, with a focus on Europe but a comparative (and quantitative) dimension also present whenever possible.

Students will apply economic analysis to understand the past. But they will also realise how the past can itself be informative about economics as a discipline. By studying the economic aspects of past in a rigorous manner, students will develop a deeper understanding of not just history, but also the present. It will become clear to them which features of the modern world are recent, and which have been always with us. These skills will prepare them for a range of careers requiring knowledge of economic analysis and historical change, such as business administration or policy advising.

Students will apply economic analysis to understand the past. But they will also realise how the past can itself be informative about economics as a discipline. By studying the economic aspects of past in a rigorous manner, students will develop a deeper understanding of not just history, but also the present. It will become clear to them which features of the modern world are recent, and which have been always with us. These skills will prepare them for a range of careers requiring knowledge of economic analysis and historical change, such as business administration or policy advising.

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

(ECON10221 or ECON10331 or ECON10171) and (ECON10252 or ECON10241 or ECON10181) and (ECON10072 or SOST10062.)

The unit aims to:

1.     Provide an intermediate-level exposure to modern research in economic history, with a focus on comparative and quantitative aspects.

2.     Enhance student’s understanding of how economics can be applied to explain or help to understand past events, many of which still affect us today.

Topic 1: Introduction & Economic Development in Ancient Times (1 lecture).

Topic 2: Economic Development in Medieval Times (1 lecture).

Topic 3: Europe's Recovery and Discovery of the Rest of the World (1 lecture).

Topic 4: Economic Nationalism and Imperialism (1 lecture).

Topic 5: The Dawn of Modern Industry (1 lecture).

Topic 6: The Global Economy Confronts British Capitalism (1 lecture).

Topic 7: The Growth of the World Economy, 1848-1914 (1 lecture).

Topic 8: The Spread of Development in the World, 1848-1914 (1 lecture).

Topic 9: International Economic Disintegration, 1914-1945 (1 lecture).

Topic 10: Rebuilding the World Economy, 1945-1989 (1 lecture).

Synchronous activities (such as Lectures or Review and Q&A sessions, and tutorials), and guided self-study

We will cover the economic (and when relevant, political) development of different societies in the past, with a focus on Europe but a comparative (and quantitative) dimension also present whenever possible.

Students will apply economic analysis to understand the past. But they will also realise how the past can itself be informative about economics as a discipline. By studying the economic aspects of past in a rigorous manner, students will develop a deeper understanding of not just history, but also the present. It will become clear to them which features of the modern world are recent, and which have been always with us. These skills will prepare them for a range of careers requiring knowledge of economic analysis and historical change, such as business administration or policy advising.

Students will continue to develop their ability to read economic literature, including research articles; they will have to produce a sustained and coherent written argument; and they will engage in classroom discussion in the form of a weekly debate which contrasts two different interpretations about one particular historical episode (e.g. the Industrial Revolution).

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

 

• Tutorial feedback.
• Office hours.
• Revision sessions.

The textbooks for this course is:

• Larry Neal and Rondo Cameron A Concise Economic History of the World: From Paleolithic Times to the Present. Oxford University Press, 2016

In addition, students will be given two weekly research articles for the classroom discussion.

For background about economic history, especially on a global perspective, take a look at:

• Robert Allen, Global Economic History: A Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2011

• Karl G. Persson and Paul Sharp, An Economic History of Europe. Cambridge University Press, 2015

This course complements other courses which you may have taken or may be taking in economic growth and development. If you wish some basic background on these fields, then you can consult:

• E. Helpman, The Mystery of Economic Growth (2004); David N. Weil, Economic Growth (2009); C. I. Jones, Introduction to Economic Growth (2002).