Creating and Regulating Markets

Main field of studies

Economic History

Specialization

A1N, Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree (180 hec) from an internationally recognized university, including a thesis of minimum 15 hec. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

The evolution, formation and construction of markets is a core field of study in business and economic history and an issue that needs to be understood in order to understand the development of modern market economies and industrial transformation. Markets are a result of economic actors´conscious and unconscious activities, strategies and adaptations to the institutional and economic environment.

Furthermore, the role of the state in modern capitalism is on the agenda both in public debates and in scholarship. The turmoil after the financial crises 2007 in several western democracies shows that there is a continuous need to discuss business-government relations and to critically assess how the political process hinder and/or foster economic development.

The goal of the cours is to provide a broad overview of core themes concerning evolutions of markets, market regulation and government/business relations as they are addressed in economic and business history, but also to some extent in neighboring disciplines.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

1. Show overall knowledge about core themes in economic history concerning evolution of markets.

2. Show overall knowledge about market regulation and government/business relations and how they have developed in a long historic perspective.

3. Explain and critically discuss key theories in the field of economic history relating to the core themes of the course.

4. Search and evaluate relevant sources which can be employed in historical research relating to the core themes of the course.

Lectures and seminars.

Language of instruction: English

The learning outcomes are assessed through an exam and seminars.

Active partipaction in seminars is compulsory. In the ecent of avsence from seminars, the course coordinator may grant an alternative assignment, which must be completed within the prescribed time frame.

Individual exams shall be written individually, cooperation in formulating text, tables, figures etc. is not allowed.

If a student, who has failed the same examined element on two occasions, wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be submitted to the department in writing and granted unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22 of Higher Education Ordinance)

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course´s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If the course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed.

The numer if examinations is limited to five.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU-student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Locla rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E) and Fail (F).

All of the intended learning outcomes of the course taken must have been achieved to obtain a Pass grade. Accordingly, all forms of examinations must be passed. The grade (A-E) corresponds to the total score a student obtains on the exam and seminars.

To receive a pass grade (A-E) >=50% points is required.

The scale is tied to fixed score intervals:

A: 85% - 100%

B: 75% - 84%

C: 68% - 74%

D: 60% - 67%

E: 50% - 59%

F: <50%

The course will be evaluated upon completion. The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.