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Unit of study_

ECON6034: Global Economic History

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit provides students with an overview of global economic development over the past 1000 years with the objective of helping to understand today's global economy and what the future might hold. The motivating question throughout is: how did we get here and where are we going? This is addressed through an examination of both the global east and the global west. Conventional analysis is tested through the prism of history and long-run data. The unit of study examines global themes and then proceeds to consider geographies, building on the global theme lectures.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ECON6034
Academic unit Economics
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
ECON5001 and ECON5002
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jordi Vidal-Robert, jordi.vidal-robert@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final report
Students are required to complete an essay on a given topic.
40% -
Due date: 14 Nov 2022 at 18:00
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Participation Participation, quizzes, and surveys
Discussion participation
10% Ongoing 500-word equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
In-semester test (Open book) Type C in-semester exam Mid-semester test
Short-answer questions
25% Week 07
Due date: 15 Sep 2022 at 18:00
1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Assignment Reaction Report
Students are required to submit a 1000-word essay on a given topic.
25% Week 09
Due date: 05 Oct 2022 at 18:00
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Type C in-semester exam = Type C in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Final project: You will write a discussion essay related to one of the topics of the unit. In the first part you will discuss at least two contrasting articles. In the second part you will propose ways to disentangle the existing debate. The essay will contain a visualization to illustrate your arguments.
  • Reaction report: You will write a discussion essay related to an article from one of the topics. The essay may contain an original visualization.
  • Participation, quizzes, and surveys: These are an integral part of the learning and assessment processes. Students are required to participate in preparatory surveys and encouraged to participate in the discussions from the tutorial topics.

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 achive 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.

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 Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction: On the paths of growth and inequality Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Introduction to R using gapminder Tutorial (1 hr) LO6
Week 02 Discovering the long stagnation Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Discussion and Continuation of Introduction to R Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 03 Understanding the Transition to Modern Economic Growth and the Fertility Transition Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Discussion on Malthus Illustrative exercise with R Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 04 Deep-rooted factors of economic growth: Geography Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Discussion on geography as a determinant of economic growth and Illustrative exercise with R Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 05 Deep-rooted factors of economic growth: Institutions Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Discussion on institutions as a determinant of economic growth and Illustrative exercise with R Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 06 Deep-rooted factors of economic growth: Culture Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Discussion on culture as a determinant of economic growth and Illustrative exercise with R Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 07 The role of religion on economic growth Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Discussion on the relation between religion and growth and Illustrative exercise with R Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Colonization, exploitation and growth Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Discussion on the role of the colonization process on economic development Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 09 Understanding why in Europe and why in Britain Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Discussion about the factors that help explain why Britain industrialised first Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 10 Understanding why not in China or in the Arab world Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Discussion on the zenith and downturn of China and the Arab world Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 11 A brief insight to understand the economic growth of Africa Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Discussion and illustrative exercise in R Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 12 Brief insights on India and Australia Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Discussion and exercise Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 What have we learnt? Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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

Recommended books:

  • Galor, Oded. The Journey of Humanity. 2022
  • Koyama, Mark and Rubin, Jared. How the World Became Rich. 2022

These two books will be the base to introduce students to the topics of the unit. The lectures, though, will contain and refer to a longer list of references available in the library. This list of mandatory and optional readings will be made available in Canvas.

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.

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

  • LO1. Understand the long sweep of global economic history
  • LO2. Set current global economic issues in historical context and be able to discuss potential future developments in that context
  • LO3. Apply core economic theory principles
  • LO4. Consider both western and non-western perspectives on development
  • LO5. Understand Australian economic history in a global context
  • LO6. Manage, analyse, evaluate and use research materials efficiently and effectively.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Minor changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.