Seminar: Economic Growth
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.
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. In order to register for the research module and to be able to write the research assignment, the PhD students must contact the study administration AND the lecturer.
- The course is a part of the admission requirements for the 5+3 PhD Programme. Please consult the 5+3 PhD admission requirements.
The course is open to:
- Credit students from Danish Universities
- Open University students
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.
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.
- Kick-off meeting:
First week of the semester
- Deadline for submission of commitment paper / project
description: October 1st
- Deadline for uploading a seminar assignment paper in Absalon: No
later than one week before the presentations.
- Presentations: Discussed in kick-off meeting.
- Exam date: 20 December at 10.00 (am) - latest uploading of
Seminar paper to the Digital Exam portal for assessment.
- It is the students´s own responsibility continuously throughout
the study to stay informed about their study, their teaching, their
schedule, their exams etc. through the curriculum of the study
programme, the study pages at KUnet, student messages, the course
description, the Digital Exam portal, Absalon, the personal schema
at KUnet and myUCPH app etc.
for enrolled students: Rules etc at Master(UK) and Master(DK)
When registered you will be signed up for exam.
- Full-degree students – sign up at Selfservice on KUnet
- Exchange and guest students from abroad – sign up through Mobility Online and Selfservice- read more through this website.
- Credit students from Danish universities - sign up through this website.
- Open University students - sign up through this website.
The dates for the exams are found here Exams – Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
Please note that it is your own responsibility to check for overlapping exam dates.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
On-site written exam, 3 hours under invigilation
- Type of assessment details
- ITX-exam in the exam venues of the university.
The exam assignment is given in English and must be answered in English. - Exam registration requirements
-
There are no requirements that the student has to fulfill during the course to be able to sit the exam.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
Use of AI tools is permitted. You must explain how you have used the tools. When text is solely or mainly generated by an AI tool, the tool used must be quoted as a source.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
at the written exam.
The written ITX-exam may be chosen for external assessment by random sample.
An oral re-examination may be with external assessment. - Exam period
-
Exam information:
The exact time and place will be available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester.
More information about examination, rules, aids etc. at Master(UK) and Master(DK).
Examination Dates can be found here (latest uploading of Seminar paper to the Digital Exam portal for assessment.)
- Re-exam
-
The reexam form in seminars is a seminar paper with a synopsis.
Reexam information:
Exact day, time and place is available in Digital Exam in August.
More info: Master(UK) and Master(DK).
Criteria for exam assessment
Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.
In order to obtain the top grade “12”, 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.
In order to obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level 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
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- AØKA08089U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
Ph.D.
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn
- Go to 'Signup' for information about registration and enrollment.
- Price
-
Information about admission and tuition fee: Master and Exchange Programme, credit students and guest students (Open University)
- Schedulegroup
-
and venue:
- For teaching: Go to 'Remarks'.
- For exam and re-sits: Go to 'Exam'. - Studyboard
- Department of Economics, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Economics
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Morten Graugaard Olsen (3-7d777f5075737f7e3e7b853e747b)
Teacher
Lectures: See ‘Course responsibles’
Please read "Remarks" regarding the schedule of the
teaching.
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Kursusinformation for indskrevne studerende