00995 - Economic History

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students are able to understand correctly the evolution of the world economy from the agrarian pre-industrial era to the present post-industrial society. In particular, students will be able to: - acquire basic chronology; - appreciate key-features of pre-modern economic institutions; assess how an advanced organic economy functioned, with its energetic limits in comparison with the present mineral-based energy economy; - appreciate the different paths of development of a number of the today advanced nations; - understand how countries have internationalized first and then globalized - acquire knowledge on cycles, bubbles, failures of planned economies, effects of wars.

Course contents

First part:

1. The historical background of the modern European economy

2. Market and technological innovations in the English industrial revolution

3. National paths to industrialization. The first globalization.

4. "Age of extremes": from de-globalization to re-globalization. The global economy at the outset of the 21st century. 

Second part:

1. Paths of economic development and business strategies

2. Models of business organization:

- big corporations

- industrial districts

- state-owned enterprises

- cooperatives

Readings/Bibliography

First part:

• M. Carboni, L'ascesa economica dell'Europa 1450-1750, Il Mulino 2016
• F. Amatori e A. Colli, The Global Economy. A Concise History Giappichelli-Routledge 2017 (or later).

Second part:

P.A. Toninelli, Storia dell'impresa, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2006 (except cap. I). [any edition]

Teaching methods

Lectures with slides and audiovisual materials

Slides will be posted on (https://virtuale.unibo.it)

Assessment methods

Written exam based on multiple choice and essay format questions.

Students will have the possibility to split the exam in two mid-term exams at the end of first and second part of the course.

At the exam the use of notes, books, and electronic devices is not allowed.

Grades will be awarded in the following fashion:

<18 failed
18-23 sufficient
24-27 good
28-30 very good
30 e lode excellent

Teaching tools

Blackboard, PC, projector.

Slides, audiovisual materials, and additional recommended readings available on the VIRTUALE Unibo platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it)

Office hours

See the website of Mauro Carboni

See the website of Tito Menzani