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World Economic History (ECON90056)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides an introduction to the development of economic activity and material well-being in the world since the year 1000 A.D. The main objectives are to present an overview of the main phases and episodes in the evolution of the world economy, and to develop an understanding of the role of factors such as geography, institutions, technological change and culture in explaining economic development. Topics to be covered include: Measuring economic development and main patterns of growth; The Malthusian economy; The rise and decline of the Islamic world; The economic consequences of the Black Death and of the Mongol invasions; The shift in economic and geopolitical power from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic; European colonial expansion and the rise of trading economies; The Industrial Revolution; The rise of settler economies (including Australia); The Great Depression; World Wars and economic activity; The main eras of globalization in the world economy; The Great Divergence.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
- Explain the importance of economic activity for the well-being of societies;
- Describe the main phases and episodes in the history of the world economy over the past 200 years;
- Explain the roles of economic theory and analysis of historical data and evidence for understanding the causes of events and patterns in the world economy;
- Explain the role of technological advancement for understanding economic development and its diffusion;
- Explain the role of factors such as geography, political and legal institutions, culture, and economic policy, in the development of the world economy;
- Explain the role of major episodes such as the Great Depression, World Wars and globalisation for the evolution of the world economy; and
- Use their knowledge of the history of the world economy to inform analysis of current developments in economies in different countries.
Generic skills
- High level of development: Written communication, apply theory to practice, interpretation and analysis, critical thinking, synthesis of data and other information, evaluation of data and other information, accessing data and other information from a range of sources, receptiveness to alternative ideas.
- Moderate level of development: oral communication, collaborative learning, problem solving, team work, statistical reasoning.
- Some level of development: Use of computer software
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Approval of Department of Economics Graduate Programs Director.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Review articles and class presentations due once during semester
| During the teaching period | 20% |
Oral exam
| End of semester | 20% |
Participation in class, weekly | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
End-of-semester exam
| End of the teaching period | 50% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Laura Panza Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 hours of lectures/seminars per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours per semester
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Doctor of Philosophy - Business and Economics Course Doctor of Philosophy - Business and Economics - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022