Economic History of Western Europe (ECON 241, Graduate Class)
This class covers topics in European Economic History from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century. Topics include competing hypotheses in explaining long-term trends in economic growth and cross-country differences in long-term economic growth; the Malthusian economy; the industrial revolution; the demographic transition; the great divergence; the diffusion of knowledge and innovation; the formation and persistence of institutions; and the effects of productivity growth on economic development. The course highlights the use of economic theory in guiding hypothesis testing, as well as the construction of new datasets and the execution of empirical analysis. A main goal of the course is to involve students in research, from identifying and posing interesting research questions in economic history and in other applied economic fields, to presenting these ideas.
Offered: Winter 2017; Fall 2017; Fall 2018; Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2022.
Economic History of the United States (ECON 242, Graduate Class)
This class provides an overview of applied micro topics in US Economic History from the second industrial revolution to the 1960s. Topics include patterns in US economic growth; the causes and consequences of income inequality; the economics of migration; the causes and consequences of the Great Depression; the role of education; racial convergence; and the changing economic role of the family. While the focus is on research in economic history, there will be particularly interested in how this research can inform current economic policy debates. The course also aims at involving students in research, from identifying and posing interesting research questions in economic history and in other applied economic fields, to presenting these ideas.
Offered: Winter 2018; Winter 2019; Winter 2020, Winter 2021, Winter 2023.
Development of Economic Institutions in Western Europe (ECON 181, Undergraduate Class)
This course applies economic theory and quantitative reasoning to study the economic history of Western Europe from Middle Ages to the 20th Century. Among other topics, it covers the Malthusian theory; the industrial revolution; the demographic transition; the great divergence; WWI and WWII; and the "economic miracle" of Europe during the 1950s and 1960s.
Offered: Winter 2017; Fall 2018, Fall 2022.
The Americanization of Europe After WWII (ECON 19, Fiat Lux Class)
In the aftermath of WWII, Western and Southern European countries experienced a period of sustained economic growth, that lasted until the early 1970s. At the same time, Europe was under the influence of the American culture that affected technology, business practices, products, and media. What are the causes of this unprecedented economic growth? What was the role of the US in such process? What were the effects of the American influence on Europeans’ lives? Discussion covers some key aspects, including recovery from war, technology transfer, the rise of European Union, and international cooperation.
Offered: Winter 2016.
Economics of Innovation, Ideas, and Growth (ECON 19, Fiat Lux Class)
A long-standing question in Economics is why we observe large and persistent differences in productivity and innovation across firms, especially in developing countries. What determines spreads in productivity? Why do some firms innovate more than others? Why are firms in developing counties lagging behind? Discussion covers the role of management, technology transfer, institutions, and property rights laws.
Offered: Fall 2017.
This class covers topics in European Economic History from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century. Topics include competing hypotheses in explaining long-term trends in economic growth and cross-country differences in long-term economic growth; the Malthusian economy; the industrial revolution; the demographic transition; the great divergence; the diffusion of knowledge and innovation; the formation and persistence of institutions; and the effects of productivity growth on economic development. The course highlights the use of economic theory in guiding hypothesis testing, as well as the construction of new datasets and the execution of empirical analysis. A main goal of the course is to involve students in research, from identifying and posing interesting research questions in economic history and in other applied economic fields, to presenting these ideas.
Offered: Winter 2017; Fall 2017; Fall 2018; Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2022.
Economic History of the United States (ECON 242, Graduate Class)
This class provides an overview of applied micro topics in US Economic History from the second industrial revolution to the 1960s. Topics include patterns in US economic growth; the causes and consequences of income inequality; the economics of migration; the causes and consequences of the Great Depression; the role of education; racial convergence; and the changing economic role of the family. While the focus is on research in economic history, there will be particularly interested in how this research can inform current economic policy debates. The course also aims at involving students in research, from identifying and posing interesting research questions in economic history and in other applied economic fields, to presenting these ideas.
Offered: Winter 2018; Winter 2019; Winter 2020, Winter 2021, Winter 2023.
Development of Economic Institutions in Western Europe (ECON 181, Undergraduate Class)
This course applies economic theory and quantitative reasoning to study the economic history of Western Europe from Middle Ages to the 20th Century. Among other topics, it covers the Malthusian theory; the industrial revolution; the demographic transition; the great divergence; WWI and WWII; and the "economic miracle" of Europe during the 1950s and 1960s.
Offered: Winter 2017; Fall 2018, Fall 2022.
The Americanization of Europe After WWII (ECON 19, Fiat Lux Class)
In the aftermath of WWII, Western and Southern European countries experienced a period of sustained economic growth, that lasted until the early 1970s. At the same time, Europe was under the influence of the American culture that affected technology, business practices, products, and media. What are the causes of this unprecedented economic growth? What was the role of the US in such process? What were the effects of the American influence on Europeans’ lives? Discussion covers some key aspects, including recovery from war, technology transfer, the rise of European Union, and international cooperation.
Offered: Winter 2016.
Economics of Innovation, Ideas, and Growth (ECON 19, Fiat Lux Class)
A long-standing question in Economics is why we observe large and persistent differences in productivity and innovation across firms, especially in developing countries. What determines spreads in productivity? Why do some firms innovate more than others? Why are firms in developing counties lagging behind? Discussion covers the role of management, technology transfer, institutions, and property rights laws.
Offered: Fall 2017.