Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2021 - ECON 484 D100

Selected Topics in Economics (3)

Economic Growth

Class Number: 4669

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 17, 2021
    Tue, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    To be determined by the instructor subject to approval by the department chair.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The subject matter will vary from term to term depending upon the interests of faculty and students.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topic: Economic Growth

Prerequisite: ECON 302 or ECON 305.


This course equips students with a theoretical foundation for studying economic growth and technological progress. Topics covered include sources of economic growth, the impact of technological advances on growth and economic systems, the social-economic factors that influence innovation and the diffusion of technology, and public policy issues on technological progress and economic growth. This course will illustrate many of the concepts associated with economic growth via economic history.

Note: This is NOT a course in economic development.  The models and discussions may have a relationship with economic development, but the perspective in this course will be on historical notions of growth rather than modern applications to development.

Topics:

  1. What are the Origins of Economic Growth?
  2. Exogenous Models of Economic Growth
  3. Endogenous Model of Economics Growth
  4. Economic Growth and Technological Diffusion
  5. Economic Growth and Institutions

Grading

  • Class participation/online participation 20%
  • Discussion paper 35%
  • Midterm 15%
  • Final exam 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Economic Growth, 3rd ed. by David Weil, Routledge, 9781315510439 (etext)

Other papers will be added/available through Canvas.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released later in the semester. This will allow students to avoid enrollment conflicts, and will significantly reduce instances of exam hardship. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the final exam period (August 10th -20th) until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2021

Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses.  Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).