AØKA08089U Economic Growth

Volume 2024/2025
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. 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
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.

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.

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.
Lectures.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 161
  • Exam
  • 3
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Collective
Credit
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.
Exam registration requirements

There are no requirements that the student has to fulfill during the course to be able to sit the exam.

Aid
Without aids

 

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Exam period

 

Exam information:

The examination date can be found in the exam schedule  here

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

Same as the ordinary exam.

No aids allowed during the examination.

 

Reexam information:

The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule  here

Exact type, day, time and place is available in Digital Exam in August. In special cases decided by the Department, the re-sit can change to another place, type, day and/or time than announced.

More info:  Master(UK) and  Master(DK). 

Criteria for exam assesment

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.