Shute, L. Economic History of Europe
CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA
EC 413: Economic History of
Europe Winter 1991
Dr. L.
Shute Department of Economics
COURSE SYLLABUS
Texts: Rondo Cameron, A Concise Economic History of the World: From
Paleolithic Times to the Present N.Y.: Oxford University Press, 1989).
Carlo M. Cipolla, Before the Industrial Revolution: European Society
and Economy, 1000-1700, Second Edition N.Y.: W.W. Norton & Co., 1980). Paper
covers.
T. S. Ashton, The Industrial Revolution, 1760-1830 (London: Oxford
University Press, 1948). Paper covers.
Historical Atlas of the World, Rev. ed. (Maplewood, N.J.: Hammond,
Inc., 1987).
Recommended: Eileen Power, Medieval People 10th ed. (Barnes &
Noble, 1963). Paper covers. A copy is on reserve
in the library.
Prerequisites: EC 201 or EC 202. Both are recommended. In addition, GEO
312 (Economic Geography), and as many history courses as you can take, are
recommended.
Course Description: The economic development of Europe from ancient times to
the present. The growth of economic institutions antecedent to those of
modern Europe. The bearing of European economic development upon that of the
United States.
About the Course:
1. Writing Assignments. Three short papers, about 4 to 8 pages each, are
required. Topics and due dates will be announced. However, the first paper
is due on Friday, January 11th in the Economics Department Office. See the
separate assignment sheet for this one.
2. Exams. There will be two exams and the final. One exam will be in
class, the other take-home. The nature of the final will be determined, but
is normally a take-home.
3. Make-up exams. The opportunity cost of a make-up exam or late paper is
one letter grade, without exception.
EC 413, page 2
4. Office, hours: Office: Bldg. 1, Room 337
Hours: MWF 10:30 to 11:30
MW 2:00 to 3:00
Telephone: (714) 869-3850
You are encouraged to drop by the office and chat: I'm interested in your
progress at Cal Poly. Let me know how you are doing.
5. Final Grade: 2 exams, 40%; 3 papers, 30%; Final, 30%.
6. The sequence and timing of course assignments is tentative, and often
changes with changes in class interests.
This course is conducted as a seminar and therefore depends heavily upon
student preparation and willingness to discuss issues in class. Although
class participation is voluntary, the course will be greatly improved with
your involvement -- which of course includes attending class!
7. How to Study for the Course. The readings contain a great deal of
information, and you are certainly not expected to retain it all. However,
you should read each page and highlight or mark your book or take notes as
you see fit. Read for the general drift and see what generalizations stay
with you after you are done. This applies as well to Eileen Power's work.
Try to relate what you are reading to your other courses and readings. Ask
yourself questions: why did this happen instead of that?
Course Schedule
1. Introduction; Ancient Times: Cameron, Chaps. 1, 2; Cipolla, Chaps. 1, 2,
3.
2. Medieval Europe; the Rest of the World: Cameron, Chaps. 3, 4; Power,
Chaps. 1, 2, 3, 4.
3. "Europe's Second Logistic": Cameron, Chap. 5; Cipolla, Chaps. 4, 5, 6,
7, 8.
4. Economic Nationalism & Imperialism: Cameron, Chap. 6; Power, Chaps.5,6.
5. Origins of Modern Industry: Cameron, Chap. 7; Cipolla, Chaps. 9, 10,
Epilogue.
EC 413, page 3
6. The 19th Century: Cameron, Chap. 8. (You should have read Ashton by now)
7. Patterns of Growth: Cameron, Chap. 9; Ashton, The Industrial Revolution.
8. The Followers: Cameron, Chap. 10.
9. The World Economy: Cameron, Chaps. 11, 12.
10. The 20th Century: Cameron: Chaps. 13, 14, 15.
11. Final Exam.
The first exam will probably be in the 4th week (begins January 21st). The
take-home exam will probably be in the 8th week (begins February 18th.)
Read the separate sheet on attendance. Remember that if outside commitments
prevent you from attending class, you should drop the course. CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA
EC 413: Economic History of
Europe Winter 1991
Dr. L.
Shute Department of Economics
First Writing Assignment
Instructions: Complete your assignment on a word processor.
Neatness counts. Use diagrams or data if you wish, but always
identify your sources completely. Remember, if you use someone
else's words, you must use quotation marks. You may footnote at
the end of the page, at the end of the paper, or within the
document itself like this: (Shute, 1990, p. 3). The main thing is
to be consistent in whatever style you choose.
The finished product should be about 4 to 8 pages long, stapled in
the upper left-hand corner. No binders or plastic covers are
necessary. Keep it simple and spend your time on content rather
than appearence.
You are to answer all of the following questions. Since you don't
have much time, or space, you will have to content yourself with
some generalizations about these topics. Show me that you have
given some thought to each.
1. What is the relationship between Economic Development and
Economic History?
2. Cipolla argues that the factors of production of today are
unlike those of earlier periods; why? Why does he devote so much
space to prostitution in a book on economic history?
3. Of what importance was the Mediterranean to economic
Development? Of what importance was Rome to economic development?
4. Briefly discuss the role of the institution of private
property in ancient times. (You might think about this question in
light of question 2.)
5. What does Cameron mean by a "logistic"? Why does he consider
social institutions to be the "great unknown"?