This course explores a range of subjects concerning human capital, historically and comparatively. The focus is on human capital formation, broadly defined, and the role of education in the economy and policy using historical, comparative, and current perspectives. Topics include the theory of human capital, the role of education in economic growth and income distribution as well as for individual careers and family formation, and equality along different lines. The course relates to both macro- and micro-level topics, all within the broader context of economic history.

Human capital is often considered an important determinant to economic growth and a strategic factor with respect to productivity. In this course, theoretical foundations as well as empirical evidence are reviewed and critically examined. Different concepts and methods for the measurement of human capital are studied. Human capital formation and its implications for macro-economic performance as well as for individual well-being are analysed from a historical point of view, in particular during the first, second, and third industrial revolution. The relation between human capital and equality is studied from several perspectives. In many different contexts, changes in the education system have often been motivated by a political ambition to diminish social inequality begging the question to what extent has human capital formation through education been important in promoting equality. Moreover, education has been a measure to overcome gender inequality, which makes questions relating to gender gaps in education and new forms of gender inequality relevant. From a comparative point of view, we ask to what extent are experiences from the western world applicable to the developing economies today.