This course gives a comprehensive, thematically organized overview of economic history from the Middle Ages to the present. The focus is on Europe and its economic integration, both within countries and the continent and into the emerging world economy. The sequence of classes is more guided by topics than chronologically, although topics primarily important for preindustrial economies are treated before those that acquired prominence with industrialization and modern economic growth.

Some of the topics are (see for more details on each session below): Economic history and the making of Europe; market integration, urbanization and social and economic change; population and resource constraints: the Malthusian model - an accurate description of preindustrial economies?; industrialization, entrepreneurship and technology transfer; money, credit and banking in history; trade and growth (or not?); the rise of the welfare state; inequality in history; globalization and the challenges it entails.

Knowledge:
- Understanding the evolution of the European economy in a global context

- Examining the causes and consequences of industrialization and market integration in history

- Understaning the role of institutions in the process of economic development and economic growth

- Understanding the structural transformations and social challenges that accompany economic growth and globalisation

Skills and competences:

Assistance >80% of all units is required - so, students can miss two classes (9/11=81.8%)

Students will acquire the knowledge and skills through lectures, the handing of the work assigned by the instructors and its discussion in class. This will require individual and teamwork, performed by the students inside and outside the classroom, and their discussion in class or individual assessment by the instructor. We will work through the textbook and go through additional exercises based on text or empirical data (with the necessary introduction by the instructors).

Students are required to participate in discussions class and present the answers to questions based on the textbook or additional material to their fellow students in brief contributions.

One mid-term test and one final exam, which contribute 37% and 38% respectively, to the final mark.

Lectures, assignments and participation in class prepare students for these exams. They will be graded continuously, and such participation marks will count for 25% of the final mark.

Exchange students will be able to take the final exam in December (date and place to be determined) if they request to do so.

Office hours: Friday, 9.30h (D4.3.004)