Growth and Development

Faculty

Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences

Version

Version 1 of 24.06.2024.

Module identifier

22B1533

Module level

Bachelor

Language of instruction

English

ECTS credit points and grading

5.0

Module frequency

only winterterm

Duration

1 semester

 

 

Brief description

The wealth and poverty of nations is the grand object of all enquiries in Political Economy (Malthus 1817). This course spans from the dawn of mankind to future scenarios and covers natural/man-made drivers/impediments of growth and development.

Teaching and learning outcomes

I. Fundamentals of Development - Government - Inequality - Culture - Geography, Climate, Natural Resources II. Accumulation and Growth - Physical Capital - Population - Human Capital III. Long-run Trends - Historical Episodes (incl. Collapses) - Future Population Dynamics - Resources, Environment, and Sustainability

Overall workload

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning
Hours of workloadType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
41LecturePresence-
10PracticePresence-
2ExaminationPresence-
Lecturer independent learning
Hours of workloadType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
47Preparation/follow-up for course work-
25Study of literature-
25Exam preparation-
Graded examination
  • Written examination or
  • Portfolio exam
Remark on the assessment methods

The portfolio exam covers 100 points an consists of two one-hour written examinations. The two written examinations are weighted by 50 points each.

Exam duration and scope

Written examinations: in accordance with the valid study regulations

The requirements are specified in the respective lectures.

Recommended prior knowledge

Recommended, but not a requirement: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics

Knowledge Broadening

Students who studied successfully know the key questions and concepts of growth and development (e.g. long-run determinants of the wealth and poverty of nations).

Knowledge deepening

They are able to identify causal chains between a given set of preconditions and its impact on prospects for growth and development.

Knowledge Understanding

Students develop an understanding of diverse aspects of growth and development, including technical knowledge and scientific reasoning (e.g. correlation vs. causation), and can evaluate respective proposals.

Application and Transfer

Students are able to apply economic instruments to growth and development issues and to develop own approaches in a multidimensional setting.

Academic Innovation

Students will be able to creatively use a selected set of economic tools and develop possible solutions.

Communication and Cooperation

They develop their skills in arguing for or against contentious growth and development policy measures and, in doing so, learn how to integrate different perspectives.

Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism

Students will have developed an ability to abstract that allows them to apply economic concepts to current economic policy issues and make a multidimensional assessment.

Literature

Skala, M. (2021): Economic Models: www.zemit.wi.hs-osnabrueck.de/econmodels2/index.html ******** Primary Textbook: - Weil, D.N. (latest ed.): Economic Growth. ******** - Diamond, J. (1998): Guns, Germs and Steel. - Diamond, J. (2011): Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive. - Easterly, William (2002): The elusive quest for growth – Economists‘ adventures and misadventures in the tropics. - Landes, David S. (1999): The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Why Some Are So Rich and Some So Poor. - Meadows, D.H. u.a. (2004): Limits to Growth – The 30-Year Update. - Tainter, J. A. (2017): The Collapse of Complex Societies, 29th ed. - Other entries given in the lecture.

Linkage to other modules

The module is analytically linked to microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics, and together with other approaches, e.g. from geography and culture, provides a global framework in which all economic activities (whether business, private, or governmental) are embedded.

Applicability in study programs

  • Business Law (Bachelor)
    • Business Law, LL.B.

  • International Business and Management
    • International Business and Management, B.A.

  • Business Management in the Health Sector
    • Business Management in the Health Sector, B.A.

  • International Management
    • International Management, B.A.

  • International Economics and Sustainability
    • International Economics and Sustainability B.A. (01.09.2024)

  • Business Administration and Management
    • Business Administration and Management, B.A.

    Person responsible for the module
    • Skala, Martin
    Teachers
    • Skala, Martin