AØKA08089U Economic Growth

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc in Economics
Content

We study what factors determine productivity levels and productivity growth in the longer run. We regard productivity as an endogenous variable evolving over time in response to human capital accumulation and research and development. The emphasis is on the industrialized world. We also address models and current issues related to technology transfer, catching-up, natural resources and the environment. 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). Calculus intensity is high.

Themes:
1. How is the world income distribution evolving?
2. Do countries converge towards steady state paths and, if so, how fast?
3. Why do growth rates differ over long periods?
4. How rapidly do marginal returns to produced inputs diminish?
5. How can the emergence of new product qualities and new production methods be modelled?
6. Is continued economic growth compatible with sustainable economic development?
7. With a view to the climate change problem, what should the discount rate be in long-term social investment?

Learning Outcome

The aim of the course is to provide students with the skills needed to function as a trained economist working on the problems of economic growth in an international organization, business environment, government or non-governmental organization or pursuing a research degree.
By the end of the course the student should be able to:
1. Explain and apply major theoretical growth models and discuss their relevance to the understanding of the economic growth process.
2. Apply the concepts and analytical tools of growth theory to specific questions related to technical change and the evolution of productivity.
3. Account for key empirical regularities concerning technical change and evolution of productivity.
4. Apply knowledge of econometrics to articles that conduct quantitative analysis in the context of economic growth.
5. Comment in an enlightened way upon key debates among economists concerning factors that matter for economic growth.
A perfect score of 12 at the final exam is given if the student is able to demonstrate -- in a clear, concise and convincing way - to have obtained thorough competence in dimensions 1 to 5.

Syllabus
Acemoglu: Introduction to Modern Economic Growth, Princeton University Press, 2009. In addition lecture notes and journal articles, available for students with access to the course pack at the course website.

Knowledge of basic macro and growth models at a level corresponding to David Romer, Advanced Macroeconomics, and of mathematical techniques such as differential equations, phase diagrams, and some optimal control theory.

Useful reading before the course is taken includes the mentioned book by David Romer (chapters 1-3) and for example Charles Jones, Introduction to Economic Growth, 2. ed., Norton 2002.


Useful reading before the course is taken includes the mentioned book by David Romer (chapters 1-3) and for example Charles Jones, Introduction to Economic Growth, 2. ed., Norton 2002.
2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of classes per week for 14 weeks.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Exercises
  • 28
  • Exam
  • 3
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 147
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 3 hours under invigilation
Written, taken place at Peter Bangs Vej 36
Exam registration requirements
One assignment in the middle of the semester must be completed and accepted for access to the final exam.
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
100 % censurship
Exam period
Will be updated before the start of the semester
Re-exam
Same as ordinary. But if only a few students have registered for the re-exam, the exam might change to an oral exams with a synopsis to be handed in. This means that the examination date also will change.
Criteria for exam assesment
The Student must in a satisfactory way demonstrate that he/she has mastered the learning outcome of the course.