Academic Year/course:
2024/25
417 - Degree in Economics
27406 - World Economic History
Syllabus Information
Academic year:
2024/25
Subject:
27406 - World Economic History
Faculty / School:
109 - Facultad de Economía y Empresa
Degree:
417 - Degree in Economics
ECTS:
6.0
Year:
1
Semester:
Second semester
Subject type:
Basic Education
Module:
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1. General information
The main objective of this subject is that the student learns some of the keys to understand the functioning and the characteristics of the economy and society. The study of history shows that current economic differences between countries and individuals, and their implications, have historical causes. In addition, economic history can be used as a "laboratory" in which to test theories and techniques proposed by economists and other social scientists.
2. Learning results
World economic history contributes to the education of the economics student through the analysis of the past. The study of the past is very useful for understanding the present and serves to understand the origins of contemporary realities . Therefore, at the end of the subject the student is expected to be able to:
1. Examine current economic problems from a historical perspective, in order to gain a better understanding of the possible evolutions of economic systems.
2. Identify and connect the relationships between the various social and economic actors in contemporary history.
3. Be able to compare economic developments and challenges that different economic regions of the world are facing.
4. Explore the historical development of economic institutions and recognize the diversity of economic experiences, along with their successes and mistakes.
5. Have the ability to express a reasoned opinion on the main issues addressed in the area, based on the collection and interpretation of relevant economic and social data.
3. Syllabus
Unit 1. Introduction. Long-term economic development. From the first hominids to the Enlightenment.
Unit 2. The industrial revolution in England (1760-1840).
Unit 3. The spread of industrialization to Western Europe - France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland - and the United States (1840-1870). Colonialism.
Unit 4. The second industrial revolution and the first globalization (1870-1913).
Unit 5. World wars and the interwar period (1914-1945).
Unit 6. Economic expansion. The golden years and the cold war (1945-1973).
Unit 7. The world economy during the second globalization. From the oil crisis to the present (1973-2023).
4. Academic activities
The theoretical part consists of lectures (2 hours per week). The materials used in class will be provided, and supplementary readings will be recommended.
The practical part of the course is divided into subgroups. The weekly classes (2 hours) will consist of two sections. In the first section, students will work individually or in groups on texts that they have read beforehand as part of their independent study.
In the second section, brief practical exercises on key concepts of World Economic History will be conducted (based on short texts, statistical data, videos, primary sources, activities, etc.). Additionally, throughout the course, students will have to make a presentation on a topic previously assigned by the teaching staff.
Lectures: 30 hours
Practical classes: 30 hours
Personal Study: 90 hours
Assessment Tests: 2 hours. The first midterm exam is held during class hours. The second midterm exam is held outside of class hours (in the morning) during the lecture period reserved for midterm exams. The comprehensive exams are scheduled by the Faculty.
5. Assessment system
The course consists of two parts: theory and practice. Each of the two parts contributes to the final grade: Theory with 6 points and Practice with 4 points. To pass the course, students must obtain at least half of the assigned points in each part. In other words, it is necessary to pass both parts separately to pass the course.
The course will be assessed through continuous assessment (for students enrolled in this mode) or through a comprehensive exam in the first sitting and through a comprehensive exam in the second sitting.
Continuous assessment:
Students who choose to do so may opt for the continuous assessment mode, which allows them to pass both the theory and practice parts. Continuous assessment requires regular class attendance as there are evaluable activities every week.
In the theory part, students under continuous assessment will take two midterm exams (the dates will be provided on the first day of class and via the virtual classroom). Each of the midterm exams consists of 40 multiple-choice questions with four options and only one correct answer. Each correct answer adds 0.25 points, while each incorrect answer deducts 0.0825 points.
In the practice part, students under continuous assessment must actively participate in class activities and read the assigned weekly readings. Additionally, throughout the course, students will have to make a presentation on a topic previously assigned by the teaching staff. Activities related to the weekly readings will account for 35% of the practice grade, the presentation for 15%, the weekly brief practices for 35% (with the requirement that 75% of the practices must be submitted to receive a score in this section), and participation in voluntary activities for 15%. Therefore, all activities conducted in class will be subject to evaluation, either through participation in the activity or by having the results collected by the teaching staff.
Students subject to continuous assessment will be considered to have been evaluated in the first sitting once they participate in one of the midterms. Additionally, those who fail any of the sections (theory or practice) will have the opportunity to take the comprehensive exam in the first sitting.
Global Assessment
The global evaluation will consist of a global exam for the theory part and another one for the practical part.
The global theory exam will consist of 40 multiple-choice questions on the theoretical contents covered in the subject with four options and only one valid answer. Each correct answer adds 0.25 points while each failure subtracts 0.0825.
The global practical exam consists of 8 questions of very brief development on the topics worked in the practical part of the subject available in the virtual classroom.
Assessment Criteria:
In order to pass the subject, both the knowledge of the contents of the subject through the exams and classroom activities, and the correct exposition of the reasoning using scientific evidence (in the case of the practical activities) will be assessed. The evaluation of the students of the 5th and 6th call will be carried out by an examining board, composed of teachers of the Economic History area.
6. Sustainable Development Goals
5 - Gender Equality
8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
10 - Reduction of Inequalities