Outline

Overview

This unit covers selected topics in economic history that have critically impacted economic development in the last few centuries. Topics may include the commercial revolution and expansion of international trade; the role of empires; slave trade; state capacity; the Great Depression; population and economic growth; the role of religion; the industrial revolution; the role of culture and institutions on growth; innovation and the 20th century.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Economics
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jordi Vidal-Robert, jordi.vidal-robert@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Research analysis	Article Extension Essay on a given topic	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 21 Nov 2025 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Weekly exercise / visualisation Completing and submitting either a weekly exercise or visualisation	10%	Ongoing	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Conversation	Short presentation Lead weekly discussions and presentation of an extension idea	10%	Ongoing	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Participation and Surveys Participation in surveys and discussions	10%	Ongoing	500-word equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Critical Report Describe the historical context and related literature of a paper	15%	Week 05 Due date: 03 Sep 2025 at 23:59	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Replication Essay on a given topic	25%	Week 11 Due date: 22 Oct 2025 at 23:59	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Article extension: You will estimate alternative specifications that may illuminate issues and questions raised by an article. If you choose a theoretical article you may provide an extension of the model. This extension must be supported by a proper literature review on the extension question. The extension must contain a visualisation to illustrate your arguments.
Critical Report: You will write a critical report discussing the historical context, the related literature of an academic article and providing constructive criticism. The essay may contain an original visualisation.
Replication: You will identify the main findings of an article and use the authors’ data to replicate the paper findings if possible. This should be supported by an updated literature review of the topic. The essay must contain an original visualization that transmits the main idea of the paper.
Participation and surveys: These are an integral part of the learning and assessment processes. Students are required to participate in preparatory surveys and provide short comments on specific readings and encouraged to participate in the discussions about weekly topics.
Short presentation: Each week one or more students will be required to prepare a summary of a reading and propose questions and suggestions to start a group discussion. Students will be evaluated on their leading discussion and on the presentation of their extension idea.
Weekly exercise visualisation: Each week all students will be required to hand in either an exercise or visualisation. The submission of those exercises will count towards the final grade.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result Name	Mark Range	Description
Pass	50-64	A basic understanding of the material only generally directed to the question and with limited personal interpretation.
Credit	65-74	A solid understanding of the material well directed to the question with personal interpretation.
Distinction	75-84	A higher level of achievement than credit, but without being able to achieve sufficiently all three of the elements (command/insight/directed to question) required of HD.
High Distinction	85+	A detailed command of the material with a clear and insightful personal interpretation directed specifically to the question.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	What is Economic History? Sources and methods	Lecture (2 hr)
	Examples of economic history methods Disseminate ideas in economic history research	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Video tutorial: introduction to R and the creation of visualisations	Online class (1 hr)
Week 02	Early Civilisations	Lecture (2 hr)
	Discussion on "Did Rome escape the Malthusian trap?"	Seminar (1 hr)
	Video tutorial: Exercise to visualise economic history research	Online class (1 hr)
Week 03	Commerce before the Industrial Revolution	Lecture (2 hr)
	Visualisation on previous week topic & Do institutions lead to growth?	Seminar (1 hr)
	Video tutorial: Visualisation on previous week topic	Online class (1 hr)
Week 04	State Capacity	Lecture (2 hr)
	Building a "strong" state & Visualisation on previous week topic	Seminar (1 hr)
	Video tutorial: Visualisation on previous week topic	Online class (1 hr)
Week 05	Religion	Lecture (2 hr)
	Religion, state and economic performance & Visualisation on previous week topic	Seminar (1 hr)
	Visualisation on previous week topic	Online class (1 hr)
Week 06	Colonisation and Slave Trade	Lecture (2 hr)
	Discussion on the impact of colonisation & Visualisation on previous week topic	Seminar (1 hr)
	Video tutorial: Visualisation on previous week topic	Online class (1 hr)
Week 07	Colonisation and Slave Trade (cont.)	Lecture (2 hr)
	The impact of Slave Trade & Visualisation on previous week topic	Seminar (1 hr)
	Video tutorial: Visualisation on previous week topic	Online class (1 hr)
Week 08	Malthus and the demographic transition	Lecture (2 hr)
	Discussion on Demographic transitions & Visualisation on previous week topic	Seminar (1 hr)
	Video tutorial: Visualisation on previous week topic	Online class (1 hr)
Week 09	The Industrial Revolution	Lecture (2 hr)
	Discussion on the determinants of the Industrial Revolution & Visualisation on previous week topic	Seminar (1 hr)
	Video tutorial: Visualisation on previous week topic	Online class (1 hr)
Week 10	The Industrial Revolution II	Lecture (2 hr)
	Colonisation and the Industrial Revolution & Visualisation on previous week topic	Seminar (1 hr)
	Video tutorial: Visualisation on previous week topic	Online class (1 hr)
Week 11	Conflicts	Lecture (2 hr)
	Discussion on the impact of conflicts and persecution & Visualisation on previous week topic	Seminar (1 hr)
	Video tutorial: Visualisation on previous week topic	Online class (1 hr)
Week 12	Persistence	Lecture (2 hr)
	Discussion on persistence literature & Visualisation on previous week topic	Lecture (1 hr)
	Video tutorial: Visualisation on previous week topic	Online class (1 hr)
Week 13	Gold Standard and the Great Depression	Lecture (2 hr)
	What have we learnt? & Visualisation on previous week topic & Presenting extension exercise ideas	Seminar (1 hr)
	Video tutorial: Visualisation on previous week topic	Online class (1 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no single textbook for this unit. A list of readings for each topic will be posted and the required weekly readings will be made available in Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Critically analyse academic research and media articles
LO2. Identify and understand the determinants of long-run growth
LO3. Apply core economic principles in historical context
LO4. Manage, analyse, evaluate and use research materials efficiently and effectively
LO5. Use economic theory and empirical analysis to create novel research ideas
LO6. Understand how historical events and economic policies shaped societies
LO7. Create and use visualisations to efficiently transmit economic ideas

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The assessments have been designed to emphasise the value and interaction of historical context and economic knowledge. They have been amended following feedback from 2023. They are now more specific. I have added video tutorials on the use of R to assure the support for the completion of weekly exercises/visualisations.

Additional information

School of Economics Student Portal

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ECON4913: Topics in Economic History

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links