Checking date: 09/04/2025 15:25:39


Course: 2025/2026

Economic Growth
(13674)
Bachelor in Economics (Study Plan 2018) (Plan: 398 - Estudio: 202)


Coordinating teacher: WELLSCHMIED , FELIX MAXIMILIAN

Department assigned to the subject: Economics Department

Type: Electives
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
Macroeconomics Mathematics for Economics I, in particular: Working with exponential functions (Chapter 4.9 (SH), 5.4 (LE)) Working with logarithmic functions (Chapter 4.10 (SH), 5.1 (LE)) Inverse functions (Chapter 5.3 (SH)+(LE)) Differentiation (Chapter 6 (SH), 2 (LE)) Optimization (Chapter 9 (SH), 3 (LE)) Integration (Chapter 10.1-10.3 (SH), 4 (LE)) LE: Larson, R. and B. Edwards (2016): Calculus, Cengage Learning, 10ª ed. SH: Sydsæter, K. and P. J. Hammond (2021): Essential mathematics for economic analysis, Pearson Education.
Objectives
The objective of this course is for students to learn the main theories of economic growth and the most important stylized facts of economic growth At the end of the course, the student will be able to. 1. Identify the main stylized facts of growth. 2. Understand the importance of capital (physical as well as human) accumulation for growth. 3. Understand the importance of new ideas for growth. 4. Understand how new ideas are developed within a country. 5. Understand the effects of economic policies. 6. Understand the effects of institutions on growth. With respect to the skills acquired, we will classify them into two: generic and specific. Generic skills acquired: 1. Identify interesting patterns in the data. 2. Apply economic theory to these patterns. 3. Evaluate critically the model against the data. Specific skills 1. Learn to work with national accounts data. 2. Learn to work with models in continuous time. 3. Learn to implement computer simulations of the theories discussed in class.
Learning Outcomes
K1: Understand democratic principles and values, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, with special emphasis on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, gender equality, non-discrimination, universal accessibility principles, and the fight against climate change. K3: Acquire knowledge of the theories and techniques specific to Economics, employing appropriate terminology and the scientific method. K4: To understand the functioning of the economy as the efficient allocation of scarce resources, including the importance of equity. K6: Comprehend the economic and social impact of various public policies on different agents and in diverse socioeconomic contexts. K7: Understand the economic variables that regulate the economy and govern the behaviour of agents. K8: Understanding economic institutions K10: Understand the fundamental elements of the economic environment from the perspective of different theories and various economic agents. S1: To plan and organize team work making the right decisions based on available information and gathering data in digital environments. S4: Manage and develop autonomous learning within the field of Economics. S6: Identify, collect, interpret and manage relevant information on economic issues, using the appropriate concepts and methodologies of analysis. S9: Derive relevant economic information from the data, and be able to process it to answer the questions of interest S12: Model and quantitatively interpret specific economic issues C4: Solve economic models of interest from both theoretical and numerical perspectives. C6: Integrate democratic principles and values, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, into the professional sphere.
Description of contents: programme
1. Stylized facts of growth. 2. A theory of stagnation. 3, Growth and capital accumulation. 4. Growth accounting. 5. Limits to growth: Natural resources. 6. A theory of technological innovation at the frontier. 7. A theory of technological adoption. 8. The role of institutions.
Learning activities and methodology
The methodology is (1) Lectures where the theory material is presented and discussed. (2) Analytical exercises to evaluate the student apprehension of the concepts studied. (3) Quantitative exercises with computer software to evaluate the theories studied during class.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 50
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 50

Calendar of Continuous assessment


Extraordinary call: regulations
Basic Bibliography
  • Charles I. Jones. Introduction to Economic Growth 3rd edition. Prentice Hall. 2013
Recursos electrónicosElectronic Resources *
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The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.


More information: https://www.eco.uc3m.es/~fwellsch/teaching_growth.html