Economic Growth and Development in the Undergraduate Curriculum

Abstract

A central theme of this article is that economics instructors should spend more time teaching about economic growth and development at the undergraduate level because the topic is of interest to students, is less abstract than other macroeconomic topics, and is the focus of exciting research in economics. Facts and data can be presented to describe the economic growth problem facing nations, both rich and poor. Instructors can then use key elements of the Solow growth model and discuss the importance of technology to explain economic growth to students. Recent research in economics can be used in the classroom to discuss the reasons why some countries are rich and others are poor.

Keywords:

• economic development
• economic growth
• Solow model
• technology
• undergraduate curriculum

Keywords:

• JEL codes A22
• O11
• O40