Learning objectives
At the end of the course students are expected to be able to:
acknowledge and comprehend the economic, social and cultural processes that led to the integration of global markets in the long run;
- apply such learning to critically tackle issues deriving from the complex structure of the current framework of global economy;
- 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;
- convey all the acquired concepts to discuss and interact with private and institutional subjects, nationally and internationally, about issues related to globalization.
Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of economic history.
Course unit content
The course analyzes the globalization of the economy in a long-term historical perspective (from the 15th c. to today) and a broad geographical perspective (Europe, America, Asia and Africa). To do so, a set of crucial topics will be considered: the “world economies” before globalization (Europe, China, and India); the integration of the markets of commodities and capital; the impact of development in transportation and communication; the process of economic convergence; the interaction between market regulation and deregulation; global and local crises.
Bibliography
- Mandatory readings:
(a) R. B. Marks, The Origins of the Modern World Economy. A Global and Ecological Narrative from the Fifteenth to the Twenty-first Century, (3rd edition) Oxford, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2015, 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 [i.e. 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.
- Supplementary readings (choose 1 from the 3 listed below):
(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.
Reading (a) is a book that can be bought online.
Readings (b), (c), (1), (2), (3) are open source and can be downloaded from the following link
http://papers.nber.org/books/bord03-1
Teaching methods
The course will use synchronous and asynchronous distance learning.
Two asynchronous lessons per week and one synchronous (for further examination of topics, the sharing of content, and exam practice)
The problems of the history of globalization will be discussed by experimenting with different analytical approaches: applied economic history and socio-cultural history.
The slides used to support the lessons will be uploaded to the ELLY platform before the course starts. To download the slides, you need to register for the online course on ELLY.
The slides are considered an integral part of the teaching material.
Non-attending students are reminded to check the didactic material available and the information provided by the teacher on the ELLY platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
Since this is an integrated course, the exam is usually carried out at the same time as that of the Economic Growth and Innovation course, to which reference is made. However, a written exam will be set at the end of the module.
The final test is an open book written exam , which will be held on the ELLY platform until the end of the state of emergency due to the pandemic. The final grade will correspond to the grade assigned to the proposed question; Honors are assigned to the achievement of the maximum score on the question with clear mastery of the subject as a whole.
Knowledge and understanding will be ascertained by analyzing the content of the answer.
The ability to apply knowledge will be ascertained by analyzing the answer given in the sections relating to the concrete cases of the open question.
The autonomy of judgment and the ability to learn will be ascertained by analyzing the answer given in the general part of the open question.
The ability to communicate with appropriate technical language will be ascertained by verifying the suitability of the lexicon adopted in the answers given to the questions of the written exam and the propensity to clarify the meaning of the technical terms used.
