SAM12 International Economic History since 1750

Autumn 2026

Topics

The central theme of the course is the development of the modern world economy. For the early period (1750-1914) we consider the development of modern systems of production and the consequent increase in international flows of goods, labour, capital and technology. For the inter-war period (1918-39) we examine the breakdown in the international economy and national responses to it. For the post-World War II period we track the establishment of domestic and international institutions and their impact on global growth.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Upon completion of the course, the students know:
- The key characteristics of the international economy, and the drivers of change in the international economy, over the last 250 years.
- Economic models that describe key elements of the international economy and its development over the last 250 years.
- Quantitative techniques used to measure and explain economic activity around the world, and its development over the last 250 years.
Skills
Upon completion of the course, the students can:
- Analyse the pattern, causes and consequences of economic activity over the last 250 years, including its growth, using appropriate historical and economic tools.
- Explain the pattern, causes and consequences of economic activity over the last 250 years, including its growth.
- Discuss fundamental questions such as "What is a valid question?", "What is a rational argument?, "What is evidence?", "What is causation?".
General competence
Upon completion of the course, the student can:
- Frame a complex problem in a way that it can be understood and solved.
- Work in teams to gather, process and harness information.
- Deploy evidence and arguments to make a case for and against something.
Teaching

This is designed to be a case-based course that revolves around class discussion. All students are expected to participate actively in the majority of classes. Participation is a requirement in order be eligible to take the final exam. Students are encouraged to work in small groups to prepare for each class in advance. Each week, every group member should read the case and (at least) one of the items on the reading list and then discuss it with the rest of the group. In this way, all - or most - of the reading materials assigned each week will be covered by every group. The group can use this discussion to prepare their responses to the accompanying assignment questions, which we will discuss in class.
Students who unexpectedly cannot attend a significant number of classes - due to illness, for example - may be required to submit a piece of written work in lieu of physical participation in order to take the exam. Students who expect to miss a significant number of classes in person should not take this course.
Physical classes are a key component of the educational process. If you do not attend the majority of classes in person then you will be at a significant disadvantage when it comes to achieving a high level of understanding and a high grade in the exam.
Restricted access

The course is open for international exchange students.
Recommended prerequisites

Because typically around half of the students are international, their academic backgrounds vary widely. For this reason, we ensure that all theoretical and empirical material used in the course is clearly explained, and we provide appropriate background readings when needed.
Basic knowledge of macroeconomics is useful for this class, and some students find it helpful to have taken macroeconomics beforehand. However, others feel that taking this class first makes subsequent macroeconomics courses more accessible.
Required prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this course.
Compulsory Activity

Students must participate actively and regularly in class in order to be eligible to take the exam. Active participation means asking questions, answering questions and/or making relevant comments in class. The course instructor assesses each student's participation on an ongoing basis and provides individual feedback at the mid-point of the semester. Students who are unable to participate in class - due to illness, for example - may be required to submit a piece of written work in lieu in order to be eligible to take the exam.
Assessment

3-hours digital school exam, where candidates choose to answer three questions from a selection of approximately ten questions.
The exam must be written in English.
Grading Scale

A-F
Computer tools

No computer requirements
Literature

The course is centred on a portfolio of historical cases produced by the Harvard Business School.
Relevant complementary research papers (freely available) are assigned for each class.
Students may also wish to broaden their background knowledge by reading a general textbook such as:
M. Graff, A.G. Kenwood & A.L. Lougheed, The growth of the international economy 1820-2015, London (Routledge) 2014.
R. Cameron & L. Neal, A Concise Economic History of the World: From Paleolithic Times to the Present, New York (Oxford University Press) 2003. Chapterl 1 and 6 to 16.
Permitted Support Material

Calculator
One bilingual dictionary (Category I)
All in accordance with Supplementary provisions to the Regulations for Full-time Study Programmes at the Norwegian School of Economics Ch.4 Permitted support material https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/regulations/https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/regulations/ and https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/examination-support-materials/https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/examination-support-materials/
Retake

Retake in SAM12 will not be offered during the non-teaching semester (spring). Only mandatory bachelor courses with an individual written school exam or a home exam lasting up to one day will have a retake assessment in the non-teaching semester.
For detailed information regarding the retake policy, please visit our website: https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/retake-of-exams (copy URL).