All programmes > Culture, Institutions and Economic Development

Culture, Institutions and Economic Development (B-KUL-F0CE5A)

6 ECTSEnglish39 First term
N. |  Emmers Dorien (substitute)
POC Taal- en regiostudies

Aims

The course is designed as an interdisciplinary course that educates students on the theories and models of cultural economics (i.e., the branch of economics studying relationships between culture, institutions, and economic outcomes). Doing so, the course also familiarizes students with interdisciplinary approaches to the study of (non-Western) regions and their cultures. It is important to note that this course will consistently use China as a case study. Although the geographic focus of this course is China, the theories, models, and methods introduced during the lectures can be applied to other cultures and regions more generally.

 

The purpose of this course is to:

 

  • Examine competing hypotheses on the role of culture, institutions, and geography for long-term economic growth and development;
  • Analyze the relationship between a range of cultural aspects, institutions, and economic development in China. These cultural aspects will include Chinese kinship, religion, and trust;
  • Familiarize students with the discussion on decolonialization of science and the role that interdisciplinary research can play, allowing for a more inclusive and holistic understanding of economic relationships in diverse cultural contexts;
  • Provide students with a sense of frontier research topics in the field of cultural economics; and
  • Provide students with a good understanding of the methods and tools used in this field.

 

Previous knowledge

The student needs to either have 1) an advanced knowledge of the Chinese language and area and at least a basic knowledge of economics (i.e., equivalent with the admission requirements for the Master in Language and Area Studies: Chinese Studies with a minor in Economics); or 2) a more advanced knowledge of economics (i.e., equivalent with the admission requirements for the Master of Economics).

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

6 ects. Culture, Institutions and Economic Development (B-KUL-F0CE5a)

6 ECTSEnglishFormat: Practical39 First term
N. |  Emmers Dorien (substitute)
POC Taal- en regiostudies

Content

Cultural economics is the branch of economics that studies the relationship between culture, institutions, and economic outcomes. The course will consistently use Chinese examples as case studies. Although the geographic focus of this course is on China, the theories, models, and methods introduced during the lectures can be applied to other cultures and regions more generally.

The course is intended as an interdisciplinary course that teaches students at an advanced level, on the one hand, about the newly emerging field of cultural economics and, on the other hand, about the interdisciplinary approach of the language and area studies. While the materials covered in the course are grounded in the field of cultural economics, there is a natural overlap with other fields in economics, particularly development economics, economic history, behavioral economics, and political economy, as well as overlap with other disciplines, such as history, psychology, political science, sociology, anthropology, and geography.

To be more specific, the course analyzes competing hypotheses on the role of culture, institutions, and geography for long-term economic growth and development in China. Students are provided with a sense of the frontier research topics and a good understanding of the methods and tools in the area. In addition, students participate in group discussions and group-based research projects and paper writing, which provides them with opportunities to strengthen their academic research, writing, and presentation skills.

Course material

Reading and course materials are made available prior to the beginning of the lectures.

Format: more information

Lectures on the theoretical aspects; group discussions of articles prepared by students; and research projects during the practicum.

Evaluation

Evaluation: Culture, Institutions and Economic Development (B-KUL-F2CE5a)

Type : Continuous assessment without exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Paper/Project, Presentation, Participation during contact hours

Explanation


The continuous evaluation during the year is based on: 1) completion of problem sets and/or case studies related to materials covered during the contact hours; 2) submission of research paper(s); and 3) presentation(s) during contact hours.

 

Information about retaking exams

A paper or project for each course component for which the student did not pass during the regular period.