Economic Growth (F)

Course content

The course introduces topics in the field of economic growth with particular relevance to the growth process in the industrialized part of the world. In particular, we study theories of economic growth where knowledge accumulation drives technological change, as determined by factor accumulation as well as through research and development. We also discuss the role played by technology transfer; the importance of misallocation in development as well as of economic geography. Measurement issues concerning economic growth will also be discussed. 

 

Empirical evidence will be discussed in an effort to gauge the practical importance of various theories. Moreover, we review current debates in the area of economic growth where we apply various frameworks that are introduced in the course. For example: is a growth slowdown on the horizon? What is the cause of the transatlantic productivity divergence? 

 

There will be an emphasis on formal models; understanding them, being able to evaluate them from both a theoretical and empirical perspective, and to use them to analyse specific questions.

Education

MSc programme in Economics – elective course
The course is part of the Financial line at the MSc programme in Economics,   symbolized by ‘F’.

 

The PhD Programme in Economics at the Department of Economics:

  • The course is an elective course with research module. PhD students must contact the study administration AND the lecturer in order to register for the research module and write the research assignment.
  • The course is a part of the admission requirements for the 5+3 PhD Programme. Please consult the 5+3 PhD admission requirements.
Learning outcome

After completing the course the student is expected to be able to:

 

Knowledge:

• Have a broad appreciation of important papers in the literature relevant to economic growth in industrialized economies.

• Apply his/her knowledge of econometrics to articles that conduct quantitative analysis with bearing on growth within and across industrialized economies.

 

Skills:

• Understand theoretical models and arguments in the area, as well as be able to provide intuition for central mechanisms and assess the model’s empirical predictions.

• Appreciate some of the key debates among economists and how they relate to contemporary policy issues

 

Competencies:

• Function as a trained economist working on the problems of less developed countries in an international organization, business environment, government or non-governmental organization.

Lectures.

Pandemic:
In case of a pandemic like Corona the teaching in this course may be changed to be taught either fully or partly online. For further information, see the course room on Absalon.

The course uses selected chapters from Barro, R og X. Sala-i-Martin (2004). “Economic Growth” (2nd ed), MIT press as well as journal articles, handbook chapters etc.

Working knowledge of growth models at a level corresponding to Barro, R og X. Sala-i-Martin (2004). “Economic Growth” (2nd ed), MIT press, Ch. 1-3, which is covered in Macroeconomics II and Macroeconomics III at the department. Knowledge of basic econometrics such a cross-section and panel data analysis.

Useful reading before the course is taken includes the mentioned book by Barro and Sala-i-Martin Ch. 1-3.

Schedule:
3 hours lectures a week from week 6 to 20 (except holidays).


The overall schema for the Master can be seen at KUnet:
MSc in Economics => "courses and teaching" => "Planning and overview" => "Your timetable"
KA i Økonomi => "Kurser og undervisning" => "Planlægning og overblik" => "Dit skema"

Timetable and venue:
To see the time and location of lectures please press the link under "Timetable"/​"Se skema" at the right side of this page ( F means Spring).

You can find the similar information in English at
https:/​/​skema.ku.dk/​ku2021/​uk/​module.htm
-Select Department: “2200-Økonomisk Institut” (and wait for respond)
-Select Module:: “2200-F21; [Name of course]”
-Select Report Type: “List – Weekdays”
-Select Period: “Forår/Spring – Week 5-30”
Press: “ View Timetable”

Oral
Collective
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 3 hours under invigilation
in the exam venues of the university.

The exam assignment is given in English and must be answered in English.

In the event that this summer's exams have to be conducted as online exams due to COVID-19, the exam form will be a 3 H take-home exam with aids. The reexam will be the same as the rescheduled ordinary exam, but possibly online orally if only few students register.
____
Aid
Without aids

for the written exam.

 

In case of an oral reexam, please go to the section "Reexam" for further information about allowed aids.

__

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
for the written exam. The exam may be chosen for external censorship by random check.
____
Criteria for exam assessment

Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.

 

To receive the top grade, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

Single subject courses (day)

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 161
  • Exam
  • 3
  • English
  • 206