History of Economic Thought - Fall 2018
WEEK ONE
1.
The first day of class served as an introduction to the course. Course materials included:
Copy of the same syllabus formatted to the university template is available here
Attendance, participation, and professionalism rubric
Absence Notification Form (Fresno State login required)
Guidelines for first and second major assignments
First set of slides, which are always a complement to and never a substitute for attending class
First set of guided notes, which are always yours to keep and meant to facilitate your note-taking
Questionnaire and first in-class activity, where you always need to be in class to do in-class activities and you should always turn them in by the end of class
First homework (Fresno State login required), where homeworks are always due by the beginning of the next class after they're assigned
WEEK TWO
2.
On the second day, we discussed economic thought in antiquity, focusing on Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle.
Reading quiz
Second homework (Fresno State login required)
3.
On the third day, we discussed religious economic thought, focusing on Medieval theologian St. Thomas Aquinas.
Reading quiz
Third homework (Fresno State login required) with additional instructions and a heads up on need to pick first thinker
WEEK THREE
4.
On the fourth day, we discussed changing moral attitudes, focusing on Bernard Mandeville.
First in-class activity and another in-class activity
Fourth homework (Fresno State login required)
Instructions for extra credit opportunity
5.
On the fifth day, we discussed the Mercantilists.
Fifth homework (Fresno State login required) with heads up on needed to read WP chs. 1, 2 for sixth hwk
WEEK FOUR
6.
On the sixth day, we discussed the Physiocrats.
Reading quiz
Sixth homework (Fresno State login required)
7.
On the seventh day, we started to discuss Adam Smith, focusing on the upsides, downsides, and origins of the division of labor.
Reading quiz
Seventh homework (Fresno State login required)
WEEK FIVE
8.
On the eighth day, we continued our discussion of Adam Smith, focusing on the Invisible Hand.
Eighth homework (Fresno State login required)
9,
On the ninth day, we wrapped up our discussion of Smith by focusing on his theories of value and then moved on to a discussion of Thomas Robert Malthus.
Ninth homework (Fresno State login required)
Guest lecture from Thomas Robert Malthus
WEEK SIX
10.
On the 10th day, we wrapped up our discussion of Malthus and then moved on to a discussion of David Ricardo.
Reading quiz
10th homework (Fresno State login required)
Guest lecture from David Ricardo
11.
On the 11th day, we wrapped up our discussion of Ricardo and then moved on to a discussion of Utopian Socialists.
11th homework (Fresno State login required), which is the last one before your first major assignment is due.
WEEK SEVEN
12.
On the 12th day, we wrapped up our discussion of Utopian Socialists and moved onto a discussion of John Stuart Mill.
No homework, except to work on your first major assignment.
13.
On the 13th day, we wrapped up our discussion of Classical economics.
No homework, except to work on your first major assignment.
WEEK EIGHT
14.
On the 14th day, we reviewed for our mid-term exam.
In-class activity and associated handout
No homework, except to work on your first major assignment.
15.
On the 15th day, student presentations started.
12th homework, which is a self-assessment (Fresno State login required)
WEEK NINE
16.
On the 16th day, student presentations continued.
No homework, except to study for our mid-term exam.
17.
On the 17th day, we took our mid-term exam.
WEEK TEN
18.
On the 18th day, student presentations continued.
13th homework (Fresno State login required), which asks you to pick your thinker for your second major assignment.
19.
On the 19th day, we discussed distributional maxims.
In-class activity with new seats
No homework
WEEK TEN
20.
On the 20th day, we discussed pre-Marxian critics.
14th homework (Fresno State login required)
21.
On the 21st day, we started to discuss Marx.
15th homework (Fresno State login required)
WEEK ELEVEN
22.
On the 22nd day, we continued our discussion of Marx.
Reading quiz
16th homework (Fresno State login required)
Link to Great Money Trick comic
23.
On the 23rd day, we wrapped up our discussion of Marx and started to discuss the marginalist revolution.
17th homework (Fresno State login required)
WEEK TWELVE
24.
On the 24th day, we continued our discussion of the marginalist revolution.
18th homework, which is the only homework we'll have that's not online
25.
On the 25th day, we continued our discussion of neoclassical economics.
Reading quiz
19th homework, which is to make progress on your paper
WEEK FOURTEEN
26.
On the 26th day, we discussed Thorstein Veblen and institutional economics.
20th homework (Fresno State login required)
Thanksgiving break
WEEK FIFTEEN
27.
On the 27th day, we discussed the Keynesian revolution.
Reading quiz, too
Heads up on in-class activity for next time
No homework, except to work on your second major assignment.
28.
On the 28th day, your second major assignment was due and we discussed the future of economics.
Heads up on in-class activity for next time
No homework, except to prepare for your presentation.
WEEK SIXTEEN
29.
On the 29th day, presentations started.
Handout and single-page version
21st homework (Fresno State login required)
30.
On the 30th day, presentations continued.
22nd homework, which is another self-assessment (Fresno State login required)
WEEK SEVENTEEN
31.
On the 31st day, we reviewed for the final exam, which will be held on its scheduled date and time.