Learning objectives
Students:
- will learn and understand which economic, social and cultural processes have led in the long run to the integration of global markets;
- should be able to apply such learning to critically tackle issues deriving from the complex structure of the current framework of global economy;
- should be able to evaluate the international economy in a multilateral perspective, bypassing the idea that the Western world is the main player of processes that are currently developing on a global scale;
- should acquire a cultural background useful to communicate and interact with private and institutional subjects on the issues related to globalization;
- will be stimulated in developing their learning skills by experiencing a varied approach in teaching.
Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of economic history
Course unit content
The course takes into analysis the globalization of economy in a long term historical perspective (from the 15th c. up to today) and using a broad geographical angle (Europe, America, Asia and Africa). To do so, a set of crucial topics will be considered: the “economy-worlds” before globalization (Europe, China, and India); the integration of commodities and capital markets; the impact of developments in transportation and communication; the process of economic convergence; the dialectical interaction between markets regulation and deregulation; global and local crises.
Bibliography
Students who attend class have to prepare the exam on the following readings:
(a) R. Marks, The Origins of the Modern World Economy. A Global and Ecological Narrative from the Fifteenth to the Twenty-first Century, (2nd edition) Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2007, pp. 1-121;
(b) R. Findlay, K.H. O’Rourke, "Commodity Market Integration, 1500–2000," in Globalization in Historical Perspective, ed. by M.D. Bordo, A.M. Taylor, and J.G. Williamson, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003, pp. 35-57 [only § 1.5 e 1.6];
(c) S. Dowrick, J.B. de Long, "Globalization and Convergence," in Globalization in Historical Perspective, ed. by M.D. Bordo, A.M. Taylor, and J.G. Williamson, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003, pp. 191-218.
Plus one reading, among the following three:
(1) N. Crafts, A.J. Venable, "Globalization in History: A Geographical Perspective," in Globalization in Historical Perspective, ed. by M.D. Bordo, A.M. Taylor, and J.G. Williamson, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003, pp. 323-358;
(2) L. Neal, M. Weidenmier, "Crises in the Global Economy from Tulips to Today: Contagion and Consequences," in Globalization in Historical Perspective, ed. by M.D. Bordo, A.M. Taylor, and J.G. Williamson, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003, pp. 473-507;
(3) B. Eichengreen, H. James, "Monetary and Financial Reform in Two Eras of Globalization," in Globalization in Historical Perspective, ed. by M.D. Bordo, A.M. Taylor, and J.G. Williamson, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003, pp. 515-542.
Students who do not attend class have to prepare the exam on the following readings:
(a) R. Marks, The Origins of the Modern World Economy. A Global and Ecological Narrative from the Fifteenth to the Twenty-first Century, (2nd edition) Oxford, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2007, pp. 1-197;
(b) R. Findlay, K.H. O’Rourke, "Commodity Market Integration, 1500–2000," in Globalization in Historical Perspective, ed. by M.D. Bordo, A.M. Taylor, and J.G. Williamson, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003, pp. 35-57 [only § 1.5 e 1.6];
(c) S. Dowrick, J.B. de Long, "Globalization and Convergence," in Globalization in Historical Perspective, ed. by M.D. Bordo, A.M. Taylor, and J.G. Williamson, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003, pp. 191-218;
Plus TWO reading, among the following three:
(1) N. Crafts, A.J. Venable, "Globalization in History: A Geographical Perspective," in Globalization in Historical Perspective, ed. by M.D. Bordo, A.M. Taylor, and J.G. Williamson, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003, pp. 323-358;
(2) L. Neal, M. Weidenmier, "Crises in the Global Economy from Tulips to Today: Contagion and Consequences," in Globalization in Historical Perspective, ed. by M.D. Bordo, A.M. Taylor, and J.G. Williamson, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003, pp. 473-507;
(3) B. Eichengreen, H. James, "Monetary and Financial Reform in Two Eras of Globalization," in Globalization in Historical Perspective, ed. by M.D. Bordo, A.M. Taylor, and J.G. Williamson, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003, pp. 515-542.
Teaching methods
During lessons, issues related to the history of globalization will be discussed experiencing different analytical approaches: applied economic history, social and cultural history. Standard lectures will be combined with group discussions, practical tests carried on individually and collectively.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written exam structured in 2 open questions divided in: (a) a general part each providing a maximum of 10 marks, and (b) a section devoted to applied historical cases each providing a maximum of 5 marks.
Knowledge and understanding will be verified by analyzing the contents of both answers.
The ability in applying knowledge and understanding will be verified by analyzing the answers given to the sections devoted to applied historical cases.
Learning skills and the ability in making judgments will verified by analyzing the answers given to the general part of the questions.
Communication skills and the ability in using the proper technical language will verified by analyzing the terms adopted in the answers and the propensity in clarifying their meaning.
