Shute, L. Seminar in the History of Economic Thought

            CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA


                          EC 407: Seminar in the History of Economic 
Thought Spring 1991
                                                              Dr. L. 
Shute Department of Economics


                               SYLLABUS

Texts:    Jacob Oser and Stanley L. Brue, The Evolution of Economic
Thought, 4th ed. (1988).  

          Phyllis Deane, The State and the Economic System
               (Oxford University Press, 1989).  Paper.

          Daniel Fusfeld, The Age of the Economist (Scott, Foresman,
1990).  Paper.  


Prerequisites:  EC 201 or EC 202; both are recommended.  Also
recommended: EC 413 (Economic History of Europe), and GEO 312 (Economic
Geography).  A strong background in history, the social sciences, and
philosophy is desirable.


Course Description:  This course traces the evolution of different
types of economic theory from the 15th century to the present. This is
an important course in the field of economics since it places current
types of thinking in historical context and explains why we study the
type of economics we do today.  The course examines many types of
theories, some of which are not currently in fashion, but which at one
time dominated the intellectual landscape in economics.



About the Course:

1.  Regular attendance is particularly important since considerable
material not available in the readings is presented in class.  *See the
separate handout on attendance, seating, and class participation.  
2.  Papers and Exams.  In lieu of in-class examinations, four papers
will be required.  One of these will be the take-home final exam.   A
separate sheet will be handed out covering these papers.

3.  Office, Hours:

    Office: Bldg. 1, Room 337

    Hours:  MWF 10:30 to 11:30
            MW  2:00 to 3:00
            Other times by mutual agreement

    Office Telephone:   (714) 869-3850. 



Evaluation Criteria for the Final Grade:

    The final grade is a weighted figure based upon: papers (60%) and
final exam (take-home) (40%).  *Keep in mind the contents of the
special handout on attendance, seating, and your final grade.

Some source works in the history of economics:

Barber, William J., A History of Economic Thought (Baltimore, Maryland:
     Penguin Books, 1967).  Paperback.  HB 75 B147

Blaug, Mark, Economic Theory in Retrospect.

Gide, Charles and Charles Rist, A History of Economic Doctrines:  
    From the time of the Physiocrats to the Present Day (1909; 1947).

Gray, Alexander and Alan E. Thompson, The Development of Economic   
    Doctrine, 2nd ed. (1931; London: Longmans, 1980).  Paperback.
    [Hard cover edition of this is also available.]  HB 75 G7 1980

Mitchell, Wesley C., Types of Economic Theory: From Mercantilism to 
    Institutionalism, 2 vols. (1967-1969).

Rima, Ingrid H., Development of Economic Analysis, 4th ed. (1986).

Rogin, Leo, The Meaning and Validity of Economic Theory: A Historical
Approach (1956).

Roll, Eric, History of Economic Thought.

Routh, G., The Origin of Economic Ideas.

Schumpeter, Joseph A., History of Economic Analysis (1954).

Seligman, Ben.,  Main Currents in Modern Economics.

Silk, Leonard, The Economists (New York: Basic Books, Inc., 1976).
    HB 119 A3 S54

Spiegel, Henry W., The Growth of Economic Thought, Revised and expanded
edition (Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press, 1983)


    The principal journal in the field is the History of Political 
    Economy which comes out quarterly.      
    Course Schedule

 1)   Introduction; Mercantilism
 2)   Physiocracy; Forerunners of the Classical School
 3)   Adam Smith
 4)   Malthus and Ricardo
 5)   Bentham, Say, Senior, and Mill
 6)   Socialism, Marx
 7)   Marginalism
 8)   Marshall, and the Neoclassical School(s)
 9)   The German Historical School; The Institutionalist School
10)   The Moderns; Conclusion