SAM12 International Economic History since 1750

• Topics

  The central theme of the course is the development of the modern world economy. For the early period (1750-1914) we consider the development of modern systems of production and the consequent increase in international flows of goods, labour, capital and technology. For the inter-war period (1918-39) we examine the breakdown in the international economy and national responses to it. For the post-World War II period we track the establishment of domestic and international institutions and their impact on global growth.

• Learning outcome

  Knowledge

  Upon completion of the course, the students know:

  • the key characteristics of the international economy, and the drivers of change in the international economy, over the last 250 years.
  • economic models that describe key elements of the international economy and its development over the last 250 years.
  • quantitative techniques used to measure and explain economic activity around the world, and its development over the last 250 years.

  Skills

  Upon completion of the course, the students can:

  • analyse the pattern, causes and consequences of economic activity over the last 250 years, including its growth, using appropriate historical and economic tools.
  • explain the pattern, causes and consequences of economic activity over the last 250 years, including its growth.
  • discuss fundamental questions such as "What is a valid question?", "What is a rational argument?, "What is evidence?", "What is causation?".

  General competence

  Upon completion of the course, the student can:

  • frame a complex problem in a way that it can be understood and solved.
  • work in teams to gather, process and harness information.
  •  deploy evidence and arguments to make a case for and against something.

• Teaching

  This is designed to be a case-based course that revolves around class discussion. All students are expected to participate actively in the majority of classes. Participation is a requirement in order be eligible to take the final exam. Students are encouraged to work in small groups to prepare for each class in advance. Each week, every group member should read the case and (at least) one of the items on the reading list and then discuss it with the rest of the group. In this way, all - or most - of the reading materials assigned each week will be covered by every group. The group can use this discussion to prepare their responses to the accompanying assignment questions, which we will discuss in class.

  Students who unexpectedly cannot attend a significant number of classes - due to illness, for example - will be required to submit a piece of written work in lieu of physical participation in order to take the exam. Students who expect to miss a significant number of classes in person should not take this course.

  Physical classes are a key component of the educational process. If you do not attend the majority of classes in person then you will be at a significant disadvantage when it comes to achieving a high level of understanding and a high grade in the exam. 

• Restricted access

  The course is open for international exchange students.

• Recommended prerequisites

  Basic knowledge in macro economics is useful for this class.

  Around half the students are typically foreign, so their knowledge base is extremely varied. Thus we make sure to explain all the theoretical and empirical material that we use on the course, as well as giving appropriate background reading.

  Some students feel that it would be useful to have taken macroeconomics before taking this class. But other students think that it is useful to take this class before taking macroeconomics.

• Required prerequisites

  There are no pre-requisites for this course.

• Compulsory Activity

  In order to be eligible to take the final exam, students must either participate actively in class or complete a written assignment satisfactorily.

  The assignment must be written in English.

• Assessment

  3-hours digital school exam, where candidates choose to answer three questions from a selection of approximately ten questions.

  The exam must be written in English.

  An assessment will not be organised in the the non-teaching semester (spring).

• Grading Scale

  A-F

• Computer tools

  No computer requirements

• Literature

  The course is centred on a portfolio of historical cases produced by the Harvard Business School.

  Relevant complementary research papers (freely available) are assigned for each class.

  Students may also wish to broaden their background knowledge by reading a general textbook such as:

  M. Graff, A.G. Kenwood & A.L. Lougheed, The growth of the international economy 1820-2015, London (Routledge) 2014.

  R. Cameron & L. Neal, A Concise Economic History of the World: From Paleolithic Times to the Present, New York (Oxford University Press) 2003. Chapterl 1 and 6 to 16.

• Permitted Support Material

  Calculator 

  One bilingual dictionary (Category I) 

  All in accordance with Supplementary provisions to the Regulations for Full-time Study Programmes at the Norwegian School of Economics Ch.4 Permitted support material https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/regulations/https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/regulations/ and https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/examination-support-materials/https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/examination-support-materials/