This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)

Module ECON1071: Global Economic History

Department: Economics

ECON1071: Global Economic History

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Tied	1	20	Available in 2025/2026		Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

None

Corequisites

Principles of Economics (ECON1011).

Excluded Combinations

None.

Aims

Provide students with an understanding of historical roots of economic growth and diverging trajectories of development in different countries and regoins of the global economy.
Facilitate students' understanding of important developments and crises in the history of the world economy.
Offer the opportunity to develop key skills.

Content

A range of material is covered at an introductory level with emphasis on topics such as:
Long term drivers of growth and historical origins of divergence in the world economy.
Transition from Malthusian stagnation to modern economic growth.
Global economic development after the Industrial Revolution in separate countries and regions.
Case studies may include (but not limited to):
The USA, Western Europe, and the UK
Japan, China and India
Latin America and Africa
Future prospects and challenges for the global economy

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Understanding of the key features of long-run economic development.
Knowledge and understanding of relevant economic concepts.
Understanding the causes of historical changes in economies.

Subject-specific Skills

Ability to explain the underlying reasons for the historical evolution of economies.
Ability to identify, interpret and use information for the study of economies and the world economy.

Key Skills

Examples are provided to demonstrate how students will have the opportunity to develop the following key skills:
Written Communication by completing formatives and in the final exam.
Problem Solving by applying the necessary analytical techniques in preparing assignments.
Initiative by searching relevant literature and other information in preparation for the formative assignment and the examination.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching is by lectures and seminars. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in seminars, and private study. Formative assessment is by means of a written assignment. Summative assessment is by means of an in-person examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Lectures	20	1 per week	1 hour	20
Seminars	8	4 in Term 1, 4 in Term 2	1 hour	8	Yes
Revision Classes	2		2 hours	2
Preparation and Reading	170			170
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	100%	On Campus Written Examination	2 hours	100%

Formative Assessment

One written piece of work to prepare students for the summative exam.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.