Module Identifier HY10820  
Module Title THE GLOBAL ECONOMY SINCE 1850  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Dr Richard Coopey  
Semester Semester 1  
Course delivery Lecture   18 Hours  
  Seminar   5 Hours  
Assessment Essay   2 x 2,500 word essays   40%  
  Exam   2 Hours   60%  

Learning outcomes


On completion of this module, students should be able to:
a) Identify and explain the key historiographical debates concerning the development of the global economy, shifting centres of gravity of economic development, the evolution of products and markets, and the differing role the state in theory and practice in comparative perspective.
b) Demonstrate their knowledge of the historical development of the British economy in the 19th century, the contemporary rise of rival economies of Germany and the USA, and the developmental strategies pursued by the Japanese and Russian economies. Students will also attain a knowledge of the changing nature of production in the 19th century, particularly the rise of mass production and global markets. Students will also be required to demonstrate their knowledge of the impact of war on the global economy in the 20th century, role of state intervention in a variety of settings from inter-war America to post-war Japan, the rise of the large corporation and alternative industrial economic strategies and structures.
c) Reflect critically on debates over the relative decline of the British economy, the rise of the US economy, the rise and challenges of the Asian economies, the relationship between civil and military economies, the political, social and cultural context in which economic change has taken place, and the nature of state intervention in economic activity.
d) Gather and sift appropriate items of historical evidence
e) Develop and sustain historical arguments – in both oral (not assessed) and written work
f) Work both independently and collaboratively whilst being able to participate in group discussions (not assessed)

Brief description


This module will provide an overview of the world economy since 1850. It will follow a broadly chronological pattern, and will locate competing economic theory against a background of empirical analysis.
The module will be accessible to general history students in addition to students from related disciplines such as economics and business studies.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
C. Schmitz. (1993) The Growth of Big Business in the United States & Europe, 1850-1939. Cambridge UP
D. Landes. (1970) The Unbound Prometheus. Cambridge UP
Paul Kennedy. (1989) The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers. Fontana