Mar 28, 2024  
Catalogue 2013-2014 
    
Catalogue 2013-2014 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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ECON 112 - Pre-Modern Economic Growth: the West and the Rest, 1000-1900

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)
This course surveys long-term processes of growth and development in pre-modern Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The course raises fundamental questions about the nature of pre-industrial societies and what enables some to achieve sustained economic growth. First, it discusses global patterns of economic development and how economic historians measure living standards in the past. Second, it addresses current debates over the “Great Divergence”-that is, the rise of Western nations relative to those in Asia during the pre-industrial period. Finally, it focuses on the economic development of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa before the twentieth century. Questions addressed include: “Why and when did China fall behind Europe?” “Why did Britain industrialize first?” “How important is slavery and colonialism in explaining the delayed industrialization of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa?” Throughout the course students debate the importance of different economic and social factors in stimulating economic growth. Ms. Jones.

Two 75-minute periods.

Open only to freshmen; satisfies college requirement for a Freshman Writing Seminar.



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