Economic history: An Economic History of the 20th century

The course is offered as an independent course in economic history

The aim of the course is to provide fundamental knowledge about the emergence of the modern economy. The course takes its starting point in the industrialization processes of the 19th century and follows economic development both globally and in Sweden up to the early 1980s. The course literature and lectures offer an overview of historical development from an economic perspective, while historical processes are critically examined in relation to key concepts such as institutions, living standards, resource distribution, and sustainable development. Through seminars, students will practice analyzing long-term historical processes, such as the relationship between population growth, agricultural change, and industrial transformation.

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

a. Provide an overview of the historical development during, primarily, the 20th century (up to the 1980s) from an economic perspective.
b. Explain and critically discuss the meaning of economic institutions and how these have operated and changed during different periods.
c. Outline the main features of the history of economic thought and economic policy development, and clarify the differences between various economic doctrines.

Skills and Abilities

d. Identify and describe the essential factors that explain industrialization and economic growth, and demonstrate the ability to analyze the relationships between population development, agricultural change, industrial transformation, and the emergence of a service economy.
e. Analyze and explain the social effects of economic development as manifested in distribution between and within groups—such as social classes and gender—as well as in changing living standards and livelihood opportunities.

Judgement and Approach

f. Explain sustainable development from an economic-historical perspective.

The teaching consists of recorded lectures and seminars via the university’s digital learning platform, where students work on pre-published assignments. Participation in the course requires access to a computer with an internet connection.

All learning outcomes can be assessed through:

• oral examinations,
• written assignments,
• compulsory seminars

If a student has failed the same examination component twice and wishes to change examiner for the next examination, such a request should be submitted in writing to the department and must be granted unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 22).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for special pedagogical support, the examiner may, if compatible with the course objectives and provided that unreasonable resources are not required, decide to offer the student an adapted examination or an alternative form of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student is guaranteed at least three examination opportunities (including the regular examination) over a period of at least one year, but no longer than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. For internships and work-based education, the same applies, but limited to only one additional examination opportunity.

The course uses the following grading scale: Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E), and Fail (F).

To receive a passing grade (A–E), students must achieve passing results in all examination components.

The results and any changes to the course structure must be communicated both to the students who participated in the evaluation and to those who are about to start the course.

The course may not be included in a degree together with the courses EHG101, EHG100, EHG120, EHG121, and EHG104.