About This Course
Economics 210A is required
of Ph.D. students in Economics. The instructors recommend that
students enroll during the first year of the graduate program.
Graduate students in other degree programs may enroll subject
to the availability of space and with the instructors' approval.
The course is designed to introduce a selection of themes
in the modern economic history literature. Given this thematic
approach, no attempt is made to make coverage comprehensive.
While themes are presented chronologically, neither is the purpose
of the course to present a narrative account of Western economic
history. Emphasis will be placed on the uses of economic theory
and quantitative methods in history and on the insights that
a knowledge of history can provide to the practicing economist.
Class meetings normally consist of a lecture intended to provide
interpretation and context for the assigned readings, accompanied
by discussion.
Course Requirements
Students are expected to do the assigned reading before class
and to contribute to classroom discussion. An informed contribution
to discussion will be credited toward the student's grade. There
will be a research paper due on Wednesday, December 1, and a
final exam during exam week. The two will count equally toward
the final grade. To receive a grade on the paper, the topic and
approach must have prior approval from the instructors and take
a seriously historical approach to the problem.
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