BAEcon Economics and Philosophy

The unit aims to:

1. Provide an introduction to key developments in economic history
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 

The unit aims to:

1. Provide an introduction to key developments in economic history.
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.
    

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

1. Understand key developments that have taken place in economic history
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

Provisional

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 (2 lectures)

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

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

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

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.

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

40% Coursework (Group Work)

60% Exam, short answer questions

• 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
• Specific and general feedback will also be provided on the group presentation and final essay

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

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.

ECON10212:

This will be the course code for students on the BA (ECON) and the BSc Economics. These students have space in their first year to take this option. They can still take this unit as a 2nd year option as long as it is taken as a part of the 20cr of Year 1 credits.

ECON20212:

This is the course code for students on the PPE, Modern Language and Business & Management and Modern History with Economics. Students on these programmes typically do not have enough space in their first year to take this course unit as they have limited space for ECON units. They therefore cannot take this unit until Year 2.