EH426A      Half Unit
Quantitative Analysis in Economic History II

This information is for the 2023/24 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Stefania Galli SAR 615

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Economic History, MSc in Economic History (Research), MSc in Global Economic History, MSc in Global Economic History (Erasmus Mundus) and MSc in Political Economy of Late Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access).  In previous years we have been able to provide places for all students that apply, but that may not continue to be the case.

Pre-requisites

Students enrolled for this course are expected to have completed at least introductory undergraduate courses in statistics and/or econometrics and economic theory. The course will begin with a revision of the main quantitative approaches but will not provide a comprehensive training in econometric methods or computer applications.

Please note: EH426A cannot be taken with EH426W.

Course content

The course will provide an overview of quantitative approaches in economic history mainly using cross-section and panel data. The course will examine the use of quantitative techniques through critical discussion of their application in recent literature.  Techniques discussed will include multiple regression analysis, regression diagnostics, instrumental variables, fixed and random effects, difference-in-difference analysis, regression discontinuity design, discrete choice models and limited dependent variables. The course is organised on a topic basis, with subjects chosen to illustrate particular theoretical, quantitative and methodological issues.

Teaching

20 hours of seminars in the AT.

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 20 hours across Autumn Term. This year, while we are planning for most classes and seminars to be delivered in-person, it is possible that some or all of this teaching may have to be delivered virtually.  Lectures will either be recorded or given in the form of live webinars.

This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.

Formative coursework

Students are expected to write one essay or equivalent pieces of written work.

Indicative reading

There is no mandatory textbook for this course, but the brief overview of quantitative methods during the first four weeks will follow:

  • Wooldridge, J.M. (2009), Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach, International Student Edition.

Useful background readings include:

  • J.L. Van Zanden, The Long Road to the Industrial Revolution: The European Economy in a Global Perspective, 1000-1800 (Leiden, 2009);
  • K.H. O'Rourke and J.G. Williamson, Globalization and History: The Evolution of a Nineteenth-Century Atlantic Economy (Cambridge MA, 1998);
  • C. Goldin and L.F. Katz, The race between education and technology (Cambridge, MA, 2008);
  • D. Greasley and L. Oxley (eds.), Economics and History: Surveys in Cliometrics (Oxford, 2011).6).

Assessment

Essay (100%, 5000 words).

Key facts

Department: Economic History

Total students 2022/23: Unavailable

Average class size 2022/23: Unavailable

Controlled access 2022/23: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills