University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 60

ECTS credits : 30

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: Full Year

Planned timetable: Wednesday (am)

This course deals with a classical question in economic history: why are some countries rich and others not? Simon Kuznets, when he received the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1971, stated that technology is a permissive, but not sufficient, source of economic growth; institutional and ideological changes are also needed to achieve Modern Economic Growth. This course explores how and why some countries followed a path towards Modern Economic Growth, while others did not. This brings focus to transformations of major institutions, such as the end of serfdom and slavery, public versus private property rights, and civil and political rights. More specifically, this course discusses two of the most fundamental drivers of economic development: the formation of the modern nation state and the role of egalitarianism.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Students must have satisfied requirements for entry to Honours

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 3 hour Seminars (22 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours: 66

Guided independent study hours: 534

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: 5,000-word essay and 2,500 word source exercise = 100%

Personnel

Module teaching staff: Dr Montserrat Lopez Jerez
Module coordinator email djp6@st-andrews.ac.uk