Insegnamento a.a. 2024-2025

30313 - ECONOMICS OF INSTITUTIONS AND CULTURE

Department of Economics

Course taught in English

Class timetable
Exam timetable
Go to class group/s: 31
CLEAM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/02) - CLEF (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/02) - WBB (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/02) - BIEF (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/02) - BIEM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  12 credits SECS-P/02) - BEMACS (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/02) - BAI (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SECS-P/02)
Course Director:
MARA PASQUAMARIA SQUICCIARINI

Classes: 31 (II sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: MARA PASQUAMARIA SQUICCIARINI


Suggested background knowledge

Microeconomics, Basic Econometrics.

Mission & Content Summary

MISSION

How do institutions and culture affect economic outcomes? This course examines competing hypotheses on the role of geography, institutions, and culture for long-term economic growth and cross-country differences in economic outcomes. It also studies the role of religion (and religiosity) for accumulation of human capital and economic progress. Finally, the course analyzes how cultural distance may affect migrants’ assimilation and it studies how local culture and institutions shape technological progress and inflows of innovative ideas.

CONTENT SUMMARY

  • The Role of Geography for Economic Growth and Development
  • The Role of Institutions for Economic Growth and Development
  • The Role of Culture for Economic Growth and Development
  • The beginning of modern economic growth: geography, institutions, and culture
  • The Interaction between Culture and Institutions
  • Flows of Technology and Flows of Ideas
  • The Economics of Religion
  • Diversity, migration, and assimilation

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Illustrate the different hypotheses on the role of geography, institutions, and culture for economic development.
  • Illustrate the role of religion (and religiosity) for accumulation of human capital and economic growth.
  • Recognize how local culture and institutions can foster/hamper the flow of innovative ideas and scientific production.
  • Describe how migration may affect economic progress.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Critically compare the different hypotheses on the role of geography, institutions and culture for economic progress.
  • Evaluate the consequences of religion (and religiosity) for economic development across time and space.
  • Assess how local culture and institutions impact the flow of innovative ideas and scientific production.
  • Critically discuss the patterns of migration and assimilation and their role for economic progress.

Teaching methods

  • Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
  • Collaborative Works / Assignments

DETAILS

The learning experience of this course is based on face-to-face lectures by the instructors.

In addition, students also are asked to prepare one group presentation on a research paper at the frontier of the field. These presentations are used for the students’ assessment as well as a basis for class discussions, during which students are encouraged to bring their own (critical) views.


Assessment methods

  Continuous assessment Partial exams General exam
  • Written individual exam (traditional/online)
   x x
  • Collaborative Works / Assignment (report, exercise, presentation, project work etc.)
 x    

ATTENDING STUDENTS

 

 

a.       Midterms + Presentation

The final grade will be based on 3 components: 

  • Midterm exam: 50% of the grade (max. grade: 28/28)
  • Final exam: 50% of the grade (max. grade: 28/28)
  • In-Class Presentation: 0-4 points (mandatory)

 

b.      General Exam + Presentation

The general grade will be based on 2 components: 

  • General exam: max. grade: 28/28
  • In-Class Presentation: 0-4 points (mandatory)

 

Content of midterms/ general exam: material discussed in class and compulsory readings only.

Format: Multiple choice and open questions.

The presentation points are valid for all students taking the exam by September 2025, i.e, in the sessions of May, June, and September. Students taking the exam after September 2025 will lose the presentation points and will have to opt for (2) via general exam only.


NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

The final grade will only be based entirely on the general exam.

The max. grade is 31/30

Content: material discussed in class, compulsory, and suggested readings.

Format: It will include both multiple choice and open questions.


Teaching materials


ATTENDING AND NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

The entire teaching material is available on the Blackboard.

Last change 21/02/2025 09:22