Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - ECON 102 D100

The World Economy (3)

Class Number: 2771

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 22, 2024
    Mon, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An overview of the broad economic trends in the development of the world economy over the last five decades with reference to the major debates related to economic interdependence, development and growth, globalization, and the role of the major multilateral economic institutions (IMF, World Bank, OCED, ILO, UN). (lecture/tutorial) Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This breadth course covers three topics:

- 1. Technological Revolutions and Prosperity: Important technological changes
always lead to significant economic changes in a country but do not always lead
to widespread prosperity in that country. What are the circumstances under which
they do or don’t? This is an important issue to understand especially as AI is
expected to be the next big technological revolution.

- 2. Globalization: Technological revolutions, especially since the Industrial
Revolution (steam engine, computers) had large impacts on globalization.
Tomorrow the same is likely to be true with AI. Understanding the different
phases of globalization provides insights about why some countries became rich
and others became poor, and why today globalization faces both threats and
opportunities.

- 3. The Future of Work: Today there are plenty of opportunities for jobs despite
technological threats that have predicted to eliminate the role of workers in many
activities. We’ll review how technological changes have shaped jobs and the labor
force in the recent past and how artificial intelligence is likely to shape work in
the future.

This course provides a simple introduction to three big issues that are shaping the world
economy and, along with it, to basic economic concepts that are useful to understand
them. This course is useful and relevant to all SFU students looking for a deeper
understanding of the world economy.

PREREQUISITES: None. Students with credit for Economics courses at the 200 (or
higher) division (excluding Econ 200 and 205) may not take Econ 102 for further credit.
Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

PREREQUISITES: None. Students with credit for Economics courses at the 200 (or
higher) division (excluding Econ 200 and 205) may not take Econ 102 for further credit.
Breadth-Social Sciences.

Grading

NOTES:

There will be at least one midterm, a final exam and in-class participation and
questions. The precise grading scheme will be announced during the first week of classes.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no required textbook for this course and no weekly tutorial. The relevant
material will be in the form of online readings, podcasts and videos.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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 during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period 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 website 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