Economic History: The world's economic history during the industrial age

The course is offered as a freestanding course in Economic History.

Main field of study
Economic History

Level
G1N, First-cycle level, with only upper secondary school entry requirements

The aim of the course is to provide knowledge of how the process of industrialization affects social conditions in different parts of the world. The breakthrough of industrialization in England is studied with consideration of technical, social, and economic factors. Developments in England serve as a point of departure for studies of conditions in other countries, both those that undergo a full industrial transformation and those that are only partially industrialized. Particular attention is devoted to the relationship between industrialization and household formation

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

Knowledge and understanding

a) provide a general overview of the historical development from the Industrial Revolution to the First World War from an economic perspective;

b) account for and critically discuss the meaning of economic institutions and how they have functioned and changed during different historical periods;

c) describe the main features of the history of economic thought and economic policy development, and clarify differences between various economic doctrines in relation to their contemporary context;

Skills and abilities

d) identify and describe the key factors explaining industrialization and economic growth, and demonstrate the ability to analyze the relationships between population development, agricultural change, and industrial transformation;

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.

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

Language of instruction: Swedish and English.

All learning outcomes may be assessed through:

– Oral examination,
– Written submissions,
– Compulsory seminars.

A student who has failed the same assessment component twice and wishes to request a change of examiner for the next examination attempt should submit such a request in writing to the department. The request shall be granted unless there are special reasons not to do so (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 22).

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

In cases where a course has been discontinued or has undergone major changes, students shall be guaranteed at least three examination opportunities (including the ordinary examination) over a period of at least one year, and no later than two years after the course has been discontinued or changed. For internships and work-integrated learning, corresponding provisions apply, limited to one additional examination opportunity.

The course is graded according to the following scale: Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), and Fail (F).

To obtain a passing grade (A–E) in the course, students must achieve a passing result in all assessed components.

The results of the evaluation and any changes to the course design shall be communicated both to the students who participated in the evaluation and to the students who are about to commence the course.

The course may not be included in a degree together with the courses EHG100, EHG101. EHG110, EHG111, EHG103