Insegnamento a.a. 2024-2025

• 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

• 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.
• Most topics will be studied discussing the econometric analysis and results of the readings

• 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.
• Use the results of the econometric analysis to discuss in an objective way the above-mentioned topics

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

The learning experience of this course is based on face-to-face lectures by the instructors. There will also be 1 or 2 guest lectures.

In addition, students  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.

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.

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.

The entire teaching material is available on the Blackboard.