ECO 4932: Topics in Theory
Introduction to Economic Growth
Autumn Semester 2015
Department of Economics
Florida International University
Kaz Miyagiwa, Ph.D.
Office: DM-319A
Office Hours: Thursday: 2:00 – 4: 45 p. m. and by appointment only
Email: kmiyagiw@fiu.edu
Course Objectives
There are enormous inequalities in incomes across countries today. Why are some countries
rich and some poor? In this class we will study the economic theories that explain why
economies grow the way they do. Specific topics are listed below.
Textbook:
Charles Jones and Dietrich Vollrath (JV), “Introduction to economic growth,” 3rd edition
(Norton)
Acemoglu and Robinson (AR), “Why nations fail? The origins of power, prosperity, and
poverty” (Crown Business)
Prerequisites:
Intermediate microeconomics and calculus
Course Outline:
Note that this syllabus is not a fixed document and is subject to revisions. In particular, the
dates listed below are tentative and the schedule may change.
The topics to be covered include the following:
1. Introduction
JV chapter 1
2. Math review
JV Appendix
3. The Solow model
JV chapter 2
4. Testing Solow
JV 3
5. Ideas and growth
JV 4
6. The Romer model
JV 5
7. Growth and development
JV 6
8. Infrastructure and growth
JV 7
9. Alternative theories
JV 8
10. Further issues
JV 9
Course requirements/grading
Your course grade will be based on two in-class exams, the group project, and good
sportsmanship.
Exams (2 x 30% = 60%), Project (30%), Good sportsmanship (10%).
Exams: The exams will cover all the lecture materials. The dates are to be announced:
No make-up exam will be given, unless under extreme circumstances (illness or accident
supported with documentations). If circumstances require, there will be a comprehensive make
up exam given during the finals week.
On re-grading of exams: The exams will be re-graded only if there are clear and obvious
grading errors. Attempts to solicit partial credit or higher marks unrelated to grading errors may
infringe the good sportsmanship, resulting in a loss of 5 percentage points per attempt.
Good sportsmanship: Please use common sense to keep an academic environment in class.
Personal conversations as well as use of personal computers and other electronic devices in
class are not permitted. Students not complying with these rules are first yellow-carded
(warning without point reductions), and then red-carded a second time, which result in a loss of
10 percentage points from your total score.
Group projects (25%)
Students form groups, select a country or a group of countries mentioned in AR (essentially
pick a chapter from AR) and further analyze their growth records or lack thereof. Then present
your analysis/findings in class (time allotments depend on the number of groups, which in turn
depends on the size of enrollment).
The important dates are as follows.
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10/20 – Form a group, select a group leader, who submits the names of all the members
10/27 – Submit a 1-2 page research proposal or outline for my approval.
11/03 – Submit a revised research project (if revision requested)
The exact dates of your presentations are set after 11/03, s I have no information on the number
of groups at the time of this writing.
Honor Code:
The FIU Honor Code is taken seriously and governs all work in this course.
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