Academic Year/course:
2022/23
417 - Degree in Economics
27406 - World Economic History
Syllabus Information
Academic Year:
2022/23
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:
---
1.1. Aims of the course
The social sciences, including economics, are generally much less experimental than the natural sciences. For this reason, among others, social sciences use different methods, which are not necessarily mutually exclusive. In the case of economics, the historical-economic approach makes it possible to use the past to contrast theories and policies (economic, social, etc.). Economic history, therefore, is another branch of economic science that allows us to approach economic reality.
Economic history specializes in the analysis of the transformations (both on the supply and demand side and with respect to institutions) that take place over the long term.
The main objective of the study of World Economic History is to access some of the keys to understanding the functioning and characteristics of today's economy and society. The study of history shows that current economic differences between countries and individuals, and their implications, have historical causes.
Economic history as a subject can help to understand not only the economic world around us, but also the labor market that students will encounter. Economic history can also be used as a "laboratory" in which to test theories and techniques proposed in the course.
These approaches and objectives are aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/): 1. End poverty, 3. Health and well-being, 4. Quality education, 5. Gender equality, 8. Decent work and economic growth, and 10. Reducing inequalities. Thus, the acquisition of the subject learning outcomes provides training and competence to contribute to some extent to their achievement.
1.2. Context and importance of this course in the degree
The knowledge that students must acquire in this subject is related to the following "objectives" and "competences" of the Economics degree (http://psfunizar7.unizar.es/acad/eGrados.php?id=209&p=1).
Objectives (according to the degree in Economics):
a) Nature of the economy and the immediate and immediate, national and international economic environment.)
b) Models and techniques of representation and interpretation of economic reality.
The subject is closely related to the other subjects of "Subject IV: History" (Verification Report of the Degree in Economics: [http://wzar.unizar.es/servicios/planes/memgr/mgsoc/econm.pdf]): Economic History of Spain and Globalisation, Development and History, as well as with other subjects of other "subjects".
1.3. Recommendations to take this course
None.
2.1. Competences
Specific skills
E1. Understand the macroeconomic variables that regulate the economy and their interrelation with the management of companies and public administrations.
E15. Understand the characteristics and functions of economic institutions. E16. Derive relevant economic information from data.
Generic skills
G1. Capacity for analysis and synthesis.
G12. Ability to work in diverse and multicultural environments.
G16.-Sensitivity towards environmental and social issues, gender equality, culture of peace and democratic values.
2.2. Learning goals
The main objective of the study of World Economic History is to access some of the keys to understanding the functioning and characteristics of today's economy and society. The study of history shows that current economic differences between countries and individuals, and their implications, have largely historical causes.
2.3. Importance of learning goals
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. Economic history helps to understand the origins of contemporary realities and the challenges that society has faced in recent centuries.
3. Assessment (1st and 2nd call)
3.1. Assessment tasks (description of tasks, marking system and assessment criteria)
The student must demonstrate that he/she has achieved the expected learning outcomes through the following assessment activities.
The course consists of two parts: Theory and Practical. Each of the two parts is assessed in the final grade: Theory with 6 points and Practical (including P6) with 4 points. To pass the course, students must obtain at least half of the points assigned to each of the two parts.
The final exam lasts between one and two hours and consists of several "open" (essay) questions; the space available for answering the exam is limited. In the exam, students must demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge taught in the course. As an alternative to the final exam, students taking part in the continuous assessment system may opt to take two exams (mid-term and final). In case of passing the mid-term exams (exceeding or equaling the average grade of 5 out of 10 between both (both mid-term exams have the same weight on the subject), students will not have to sit the theory part of the final exam. Students who fail the mid-term exams must sit the final exam and obtain a 5 out of 10 in order to pass the course. Students who, having passed the mid-term exam, wish to raise their marks, may sit the final exam.
In the Practical part there are also the two routes mentioned above: 1. Continuous assessment for students who have taken this route and 2. Completion of the final exam. For students in continuous assessment, the work carried out by the students will be taken into account (analysis of the texts and completion of the practical provided by the teacher, as well as participation in the discussion of the same) and the response to questions related to the subject taught. Thus, students will be able to pass the practical part of the subject by means of continuous assessment throughout the different sessions of the course. In the case of choosing the final exam or not passing the practical part in continuous assessment, the student may pass this part answering some extra questions in the final exam.
The assessment of students in the fifth and sixth evaluation will be carried out by an examining board from the Economic History area.
Assessment criteria
Both knowledge of terminology and correct reasoning will be assessed in the answers.
It is foreseen that these tests will be carried out in person, but if health circumstances require it, they will be carried out semi-attendance or online. In the case of online assessment, it is important to note that, in any test, the student may be recorded, and may exercise his/her rights by the procedure indicated in the following section:
https://protecciondatos.unizar.es/sites/protecciondatos.unizar.es/files/users/lopd/gdocencia_reducida.pdf?
The necessary software will be used to check the originality of the activities carried out. The detection of plagiarism or copying in an activity will result in a mark of 0 points for that activity.
4. Methodology, learning tasks, syllabus and resources
4.1. Methodological overview
The learning process that is designed for this subject is based on the following:
The historical-economic approach allows you to use the past to test theories and economic and social policies. Economic History, therefore, is one more branch of economic science that allows us to get closer to economic reality.
The course is divided into two parts: theory and practice.
4.2. Learning tasks
The Theoretical part is taught in class by the teacher (two hours per week) and can be based on a manual or other materials organized by the teacher.
In the Practical part of the course the class is divided into subgroups (using the alphabetical order provided by the list of enrolled students). The practical part is divided weekly into three types of activities. Firstly, individual or group work with texts corresponding to book chapters or articles from specialized journals. Secondly, once per course, students will give a short oral presentation (of around 5 minutes) of a complementary text previously assigned by the teacher. Thirdly, at the end of the class, students will carry out practical exercises (based on short texts, statistical data, videos, primary sources, activities, etc.) on basic concepts of Economic History. All these texts and practices develop issues dealt with in the theoretical part or complement them from a more general or more specific point of view.
The texts corresponding to the Theory and Practical part are available in the library of the Faculty. The timetable for the Theory and Practical classes will be explained on the first day of class.
The Theory part is completed with two sessions of "Practical P6" (non-periodical) in which the student, individually or in groups, works in a different and complementary way to the one implemented in the rest of the subject. The timetable for theory and practical classes is available both at the Faculty (floor 0) and on the Faculty's website (http://econz.unizar.es/). The distribution by surname of the practical subgroups can also be consulted on this website.
The teaching methodology is planned to be face-to-face. However, if necessary for health reasons, face-to-face classes may be taught online.
4.3. Syllabus
PROGRAM Part of TEORIA
1. Introduction. Economic development in the long run.
2. The Industrial Revolution in Britain (1760-1840).
3. The spread of industrialization (1850-1870)
Spread of industrialization towards NW Europe and the USA.
4. The Second Industrial Revolution and Globalization I (1870-1914).
5. The interwar period (1918-1939)
6. The economic expansion (1945-1973)
7. The world economy since (1973-2007)
Description. Part of PRACTICE
Each week, in the practical part of the course, there will be a compulsory reading associated with the topics covered in the theoretical part. It will allow students to deepen their basic knowledge of the subject or, in a complementary way; the reading will serve to learn about the development of Economic History in other world regions that were not protagonists of the main world changes of the 19th and 20th centuries, as may be the case of Sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition to the reading, short presentations by the students of the text assigned to each of them by the teacher (one text per course) will provide a new perspective on the topics worked on in class.
Finally, the short practical exercises developed each week at the end of the class with the help of the teacher (based on short texts, statistical data, videos, primary sources, activities, etc.) will allow students to learn and develop basic concepts of World Economic History and their applicability to the Economy and its immediate context.
4.4. Course planning and calendar
In the theory part of the course, the topics on the syllabus will be presented. In the Practicals, students will work on the readings and practices selected by the teaching staff of the subject, which will be available both in the Moodle of the subject and in the Faculty's reprographics at the beginning of the course. Students should read the reading corresponding to that week before the class so that it can be discussed and worked on during the session.
The timetable for the Theory and Practical classes will be explained on the first day of class, as well as the topics and timetable for the P6 practices.
Beginning of classes: February 2023. End of classes: May 2023
.
Exam dates: The dates and classrooms for the exams can be consulted on the Faculty's website (http://econz.unizar.es/) from the beginning of the academic year.
At the beginning of the academic year the lecturer will inform about the calendar of theory and practical classes and the dates of the evaluations.
4.5. Bibliography and recommended resources