Syllabus for Why Some Countries are Rich: An Economic History of the World

Varför är vissa länder rika? Världens ekonomiska historia

Syllabus

  • 7.5 credits
  • Course code: 2EH370
  • Education cycle: First cycle
  • Main field(s) of study and in-depth level: Economic History G1N

    Explanation of codes

    The code indicates the education cycle and in-depth level of the course in relation to other courses within the same main field of study according to the requirements for general degrees:

    First cycle

    • G1N: has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
    • G1F: has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G1E: contains specially designed degree project for Higher Education Diploma
    • G2F: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G2E: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements, contains degree project for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
    • GXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

    Second cycle

    • A1N: has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1F: has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)
    • A2E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
    • AXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

  • Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
  • Established: 2017-10-09
  • Established by:
  • Revised: 2018-05-14
  • Revised by: The Department Board
  • Applies from: Autumn 2020
  • Entry requirements: General entry requirements
  • Responsible department: Department of Economic History

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student is expected to be able to:

  • describe the economic transformation of the world from prehistoric times to present times
  • describe the organisation of the contemporary global economy
  • describe nations' economic systems
  • describe economic, social and political theories and factors that explain economic transformation over time

Content

The course deals with economic transformation from a global perspective from prehistoric times to present times, but with an emphasis on the development from the European Middle Ages and onward, as well as the economic history of the Western world. The starting point is how the global economy of today is structured and how it works. The global economy is seen as a system, and its different parts from entire continents to local communities are discussed. Theories of which factors that influence economic transformation over time are presented. The economic history of the world is described with help of a number of factors as structuring tools. Concepts that have been used to characterise different periods and parts of the world become central to this description. The course also deals with important aspects of the economic system such as households, companies and politics.

Instruction

Teaching consists of lectures and seminars in English.

Assessment

Examination is both written examination and through active participation in seminars.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Syllabus Revisions

Reading list

Reading list

Applies from: Autumn 2020

Some titles may be available electronically through the University library.

  • Baten, Joerg A history of the global economy : from 1500 to the present

    Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016

    Find in the library

    Mandatory

Additional reading material of ca. 200 pages, as per teacher's instruction

Print syllabus and reading list
Print