The objective of this course is that students learn the main theories of economic growth and the most important stylized facts of Western economies
At the end of the course the student will be able to.
1 Identify the main stylized facts of groth.
2 To understand the importance of capital (physical as well as human) accumulation in groth. l.
3 To understand the effects of economic policies; transitory or permanent?
4 To understand the effects of institutions on growth.
5 To understand the effects of globalization on growth.
With respect of the skills adquired we will clasify them in two: generic or specific.
Generic skills acquired:
1 Ability to solve complex problems
2 Improving student capability to formulate an economic problem in theoretic terms.
3 Improving student skills in solving practical problems
4 Improving student ability to work in teams and share tasks among team members to solve complex problems.
Specific skills
1 To read critically scientific papers on the subject
2 To implement qualitatively and conduct computer simulations of the theories discussed in class.
Attitude forming: After taking this class students should have
1 A critical view of the theories and their empirical implcations studied in class.
2 A positive view of team work and task sharing.
Description of contents: programme
1. Stylized facts of growth.
2. Growth accounting
3. Solow model.
4. The role of human capital, education.
5. The effect of R&D expenditures on growth.
6. Public expenditures in infrastructures and growth.
7. Globalization and growth.
8. Limits to growth: Natural resources.
9. Inequality and economic growth.
Learning activities and methodology
Our 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.
(4) A project: understanding a country growth patterns using the theories studied.
Assessment System
% end-of-term-examination 40
% of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 60
Basic Bibliography
C. I. Jones (2000): . Introduction to Economic Growth,. Prentice Hall. Prentice Hall (Bib: S 330.35 JON).
Charles I. Jones. Introduction to Economic Growth. Prentice Hall. 2013
Charles I. Jones. Introduction to Economic Growth. Prentice Hall. 2013
Additional Bibliography
William Easterly. The Elusive Quest for Growth: Economists¿ Adventures and Misadventures in the Tropics. MIT Press. Cambridge, 2001
William Easterly. The Elusive Quest for Growth. MIT Press Cambridge. 2001
William Easterly. The elusive quest for growth. MIT Press Cambridge . 2001
The course syllabus and the academic weekly planning may change due academic events or other reasons.
