AØKA08089U Economic Growth

Volume 2014/2015
Education
MSc in Economics
The course is part of the Financial line symbolized by "F".
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.
2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of classes per week for 14 weeks.

Time and room:
Time and room for the lectures and exercise classes: Please press the link under "Se skema" (See schedule). 15F means Spring (Forår) 2015, 14E means Autumn (Efterår) 2014.
The springsemester is available partly in English at this link:
https:/​/​skema.ku.dk/​KU1415/​reporting/​textspreadsheet?objectclass=module&idtype=id&identifier=43790&t=SWSCUST+module+textspreadsheet&days=1-7&weeks=27-52&periods=1-68&template=SWSCUST+module+textspreadsheet

The first lecture in the springsemester will be the 2.th of February 2015 at 10.00 o´clock (AM). The exercise classes begins in week 6.
  • 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
The exam is a 3 hours written test without any aids.
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
For the Spring semester 2015: From 26 May to 28 June 2015 Written exam will be the 4 of June 2015 The written exam takes place at Peter Bangsvej 36, 2000 Frederiksberg http://pc-eksamen.ku.dk/pc_exam More information is available at https://intranet.ku.dk/economics_ma/examination/Pages/default.aspx
Re-exam
Same as ordinary. But if only a few students have registered for the re-exam, the exam might change to an oral exam 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.