Demography and long-term economic development
| Module: | Module 11: Knowledge Transfer |
| Lecturer: | JProf. Dr. Nina Boberg-Fazlić |
| Credits: | 5 credits ( + 2 incl. exercise "Scientific work"). |
| Course type: | Seminar |
| Type of examination: | Seminar paper and presentation |
| Language: | German or English |
| Application: | Online |
| Date and place: | tba |
| Start: | First week of lectures each |
Overview
Empirical economic history has gained importance especially in recent years, not least due to the improved accessibility of historical data, making it possible to study the long-run impact of past events and developments on current economic outcomes. This can also improve our understanding of important historical events by applying modern economic theories and econometric methods. Often, historical events provide "natural experiments" that allow us to estimate causal relationships.
In the seminar "Demography and long-term economic development" we focus on the role of demographic factors such as fertility, mortality, and migration. Here, we focus on the importance for the long-term economic development of countries, i.e. we take a historical perspective with reference to today's problems and debates. In particular, the following topics will be addressed:
- Health and development / Historical pandemics.
- The effects of migration (for example, European migration to the U.S.)
- Fertility and economic development
- The historical roots of gender roles
- Social mobility and education in historical perspective
- Demographic change today and then
Procedure
At the beginning of the seminar, participants give a topic preference and receive an assigned topic with literature suggestions based on this preference. For this purpose, participants independently prepare an extended literature search and an outline of the paper. After discussing the literature and outline, participants will prepare a written paper in which they review the literature they have read, draw connections and comparisons, and discuss possible extensions and applications. The use of own empirical work is possible but not mandatory. However, the literature read is (predominantly) empirical. Grading is based on the written work and a presentation of the work.
Prerequesits
Previous knowledge is not required. The project can be written in German or English. However, the focus is on English-language literature. Previous knowledge of empirical methods is an advantage.