Research Seminar I

Research Seminar I

専門教育科目

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国際商経学部

2年

KCCBG2MCA3

2単位

演習 (Seminar)

2025年度後期

(Fall semester)

坪井 美都紀

School of Economics and Management

英語

目標1

By appointment.

1◎／3〇／4〇

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【Course Objectives】
This seminar systematically studies long-run economic growth. Unlike my other courses that rely primarily on verbal expositions with the aid of figures, this seminar does not shy away from incorporating a minimal amount of basic mathematics and aims to equip you with the skills necessary to conduct formal economic analyses of economic growth.

【Learning Outcome】
By the end of the course, students should be able to understand the determinants of a country’s economic fortune: why some countries are rich, why others are poor, how to accelerate economic growth in advanced economies, and how to eradicate poverty in developing countries. Additionally, you will develop effective presentation skills through multiple presentations during the fall semester.

【Subtitle】Introduction to Modern Economic Growth
【Keywords】Solow Model; Romer Model; Semi-endogenous Growth Model

In this seminar, we systematically study long-run economic growth. Beginning with a careful review of the facts of economic growth, we first study the foundation of our framework – the Solow growth model. We then analyze other determinants of economic fortune outside that framework, such as declining population growth, human capital, technological change, misallocation, openness, natural resources, the environment, and institutions. We further study the Romer model with endogenous technological change and a semi-endogenous growth model. The former led Paul Romer to be awarded the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel in 2018 “for integrating technological innovations into long-run macroeconomic analysis” by the way.

Lecture 1 - An Overview of Long-Run Economic Growth
Lecture 2 - A Model of Production: Setting Up the Model
Lecture 3 - A Model of Production: Solving and Interpreting the Model
Lecture 4 - A Model of Production: Comparing Predictions with Data
Lecture 5 - A Model of Production: Understanding Differences in TFP
Lecture 6 - The Solow Model: Endogenous Capital Accumulation
Lecture 7 - The Solow Model: Solving with a Diagram
Lecture 8 - The Solow Model: Steady State
Lecture 9 - The Solow Model: Saving and Transition Dynamics
Lecture 10 - Growth and Ideas: The Economics of Ideas
Lecture 11 - Growth and Ideas: Setting Up the Romer Model
Lecture 12 - Growth and Ideas: Balanced Growth Path
Lecture 13 - Growth and Ideas: Comparative Dynamics and Growth Accounting
Lecture 14 - Growth and Ideas: The Combined Solow-Romer Model
Lecture 15 - Growth and Ideas: The Semi-Endogenous Growth Model

Jones, C.I., 2024. Macroeconomics. 6th edn. W.W. Norton & Company.

Acemoglu, D., Laibson, D., List, J., 2022. Macroeconomics. 3rd edn. Pearson.
Ashraf, Q.H., Weil, D.N., 2025. Economic Growth. 4th edn. Routledge.
Carlin, W., Soskice, D., 2024. Macroeconomics: Institutions, Instability, and Inequality. Oxford University Press.
Jones, C.I., Vollrath, D., 2024. Introduction to Economic Growth. 4th edn. W.W. Norton & Company.
Mankiw, N.G., 2025. Macroeconomics. 12th edn. Macmillan Learning.

Pre-learning entails completing assigned readings and preparing slides for the seminar (10 hours per week).
Post-learning involves reviewing and providing feedback on your classmates’ slides (3 hours per week).

Students will develop effective presentation skills through multiple presentations during the semester.

Grades are determined as follows: 30% based on your engagement in class activities and 70% based on the quality of your presentations. The number of presentations required throughout the semester will depend on the number of students enrolled in this seminar.

You will basically be graded on a four-rank scale: S rank (above 90 points) is reserved for a small fraction of students who perform well above the average level, A rank (above 80 points) will be the most common score and indicates successful completion of the course, B rank (above 70 points) indicates satisfactory performance but a lower quality of presentation, and C rank (above 60) signals either a lack of commitment to the seminar or insufficient effort in presentations.

AI Use:
You are allowed to use AI tools such as ChatGPT. These tools will be useful in your future studies and careers, and it is important to learn how to use them wisely; for example, I extensively use these tools in my research to improve my writing and to assist with programming. At the same time, be aware that using AI tools as a crutch can hinder your own learning. You are making a significant financial and opportunity cost investment in your education. Keep in your mind that what matters is not grades but learning – an S rank without real understanding is meaningless. Bottom line: Use AI tools to support your work, but never let them do your work.

During the seminar, I will provide feedback on your presentations, including suggestions for improvement.

As the seminar has a small number of students, trust is essential. A lack of trust can undermine the entire experience. I strongly hope that mutual trust among you will make this seminar a pleasant and rewarding learning environment.

N/A

Though the course uses some mathematics, you do not have to worry even if your mathematical background is weak. We will only use basic operations such as addition and multiplication; if more advanced mathematics is necessary, I will provide supplementary instruction.