Seminar II (SS)

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Major Courses

Graduate School of Social Sciences

2Year

KCWMS6MCA3

4.00Credits

演習 (Seminar)

Spring semester 2026,Fall semester 2026

(Year)

Mizuki TSUBOI

Graduate School of Social Sciences

English

1／8／10

Wednesdays, 12:20–12:50, Room A424

miduki_tsuboi@em.u-hyogo.ac.jp

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1◎／3◎／4◎

N/a

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Course Objectives:
This seminar equips students with the theoretical and empirical skills necessary to write a master’s thesis on economic growth. In addition, students will develop the ability to conduct a literature survey, as research in economic growth is often technically demanding. Accordingly, the course places strong emphasis on analytical and mathematical rigor and does not shy away from formal methods.

Learning Goals:
By the end of the course, students should be able to read and critically understand academic papers on economic growth and to write a coherent and well-structured survey essay.

Course Subtitle:
Advanced Economic Growth

Keywords of the course:
Solow Model; Romer Model; Schumpeterian Model

Course overview:
In the first semester, the course focuses on the Nobel Prize-winning models of economic growth, including the Solow, Romer, and Schumpeterian framework. In the second semester, the course expands to cover additional theories of economic growth. Throughout the course, relevant mathematical tools are reviewed and applied as needed.

Lecture Schedule:
1. Introduction and Course Overview
2. Mathematical Review (I)
3. Mathematical Review (II)
4. The Facts of Economic Growth
5. The Solow Model (I)
6. The Solow Model (II)
7. Empirical Applications of the Solow Model (I)
8. Empirical Applications of the Solow Model (II)
9. The Economics of Ideas (I)
10. The Economics of Ideas (II)
11. The Romer Model (I)
12. The Romer Model (II)
13. The Romer Model (III)
14. Growth through Creative Destruction (I)
15. Growth through Creative Destruction (II)
16. Growth and Development (I)
17. Growth and Development (II)
18. Social Infrastructure and Long-Run Economic Performance (I)
19. Social Infrastructure and Long-Run Economic Performance (II)
20. Population and the Origin of Sustained Growth (I)
21. Population and the Origin of Sustained Growth (II)
22. Natural Resources and Economic Growth (I)
23. Natural Resources and Economic Growth (II)
24. Alternative Theories of Endogenous Growth (I)
25. Alternative Theories of Endogenous Growth (II)
26. The Future of Growth (I)
27. The Future of Growth (II)
28. Understanding Economic Growth (I)
29. Understanding Economic Growth (II)
30. Understanding Economic Growth (III)

In-person

In-person classes only, not subject to the cap on distance-education credits.

Limited permission for use

Limited permission applies. When using generative AI (GenAI), students must comply with the “Guidelines on the Use of Generative AI in Education at the University of Hyogo (For Students).” GenAI tools such as ChatGPT can be used only for polishing English. Students must not use GenAI to create handouts or to summarize assigned readings.

Jones, C.I., Vollrath, D., 2024. Introduction to Economic Growth, 4th edition. W.W. Norton & Company.

Solow, R.M., 2000. Growth Theory: An Exposition, 2nd edition. Oxford University Press.
Acemoglu, D., 2009. Introduction to Moden Economic Growth. Princeton University Press.
Aghion, P., Howitt, P., 2009. The Economics of Growth. MIT Press.
Jones, C.I., 2016. The Facts of Economic Growth. In Handbook of Macroeconomics, Vol. 2, pp. 3-69.

Preparation:
Read the assigned textbook sections and prepare a presentation on the assigned material (10 hours).

Review:
Review the textbook and course materials (10 hours).

Students are required to give presentations every week.

Grades are based on weekly presentations (100%). Grades will be assigned as follows: S (90 points or higher), A (80 points or higher), B (70 points or higher), and C (60 points or higher).

Students will receive feedback on their presentations every week.

Undergraduate-level macroeconomics and mathematical economics are prerequisites. Mathematical tools beyond this level be introduced and supplemented by the instructor as needed.

Not applicable.

Learning technical tools is not always enjoyable in itself, but it is essential for encouraging with advanced economics at the master’s level. Students are expected to approach the course with patience, discipline, and intellectual curiosity.