History of Econ Thought - Fall 2019
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
Absence Notification Form (Fresno State login required)
Instructions for first and second presentations
Booklet on who's who in the history of economic thought
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 at least 15 minutes before 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.
Slides and hwk refresher
Seating chart
Second homework (Fresno State login required)
3.
On the third day, we discussed religious economic thought, focusing on Medieval theologian St. Thomas Aquinas.
Slides and hwk refresher
Third homework (Fresno State login required) with additional instructions
WEEK THREE
4.
On the fourth day, we discussed changing moral attitudes, focusing on Bernard Mandeville.
Slides and hwk refresher
First in-class activity and another in-class activity
Fourth homework (Fresno State login required)
5.
On the fifth day, we discussed the Mercantilists.
Slides and hwk refresher
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.
Slides and hwk refresher
Sixth homework (Fresno State login required)
7.
On the seventh day, we started to discuss Adam Smith, focusing on upsides and downsides of the division of labor.
Slides and guest lecture from Adam Smith
Seventh homework (Fresno State login required) which partly involves picking your first thinker
WEEK FIVE
8.
On the eighth day, we continued our discussion of Smith, focusing on the origins and limits of the division of labor, as well as Smith's invisible hand(s)
Eighth homework (Fresno State login required)
9.
On the ninth day, we wrapped up our discussion of Smith, focusing on his theories of value.
Ninth homework (Fresno State login required)
WEEK SIX
10.
On the 10th day, we discussed Thomas Robert Malthus and his thoughts on population and gluts.
10th homework (Fresno State login required)
11.
On the 11th day, we discussed David Ricardo and his thoughts on value and distribution.
11th homework (Fresno State login required), which is the last homework before your first presentation is due
WEEK SEVEN
12.
On the 12th day, we did a mini-review and then started to discuss the Utopian Socialists.
No homework, except to work on your first presentation.
13.
On the 13th day, we discussed John Stuart Mill and wrapped up Classical economics
No homework, except to finish up your first presentation.
WEEK EIGHT
14.
On the 14th day, the full text of first presentations was due and we started to review for our mid-term exam.
In-class activity and associated handout
12th homework (Fresno State login required), which is a self-assessment
15.
On the 15th day, student presentations started.
WEEK NINE
16.
On the 16th day, performances continue
17.
On the 17th day, we took our midterm exam.
No homework, except to read handout for after the exam
WEEK TEN
18.
On the 18th day, presentations continued.
19.
On the 19th day, we looked back and looked ahead.
13th homework (Fresno State login required), which partly involves picking your next thinker
WEEK ELEVEN
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 TWELVE
22.
On the 22nd day, we continued our discussion of Marx.
16th homework (Fresno State login required)
23.
On the 23rd day, we wrapped up our discussion of Marx.
Link to Great Money Trick comic
17th homework is to make progress on second presentation
WEEK THIRTEEN
24.
On the 24th day, we started to discuss the marginalist revolution.
18th homework (Fresno State login required)
25.
On the 25th day, we continued our discussion of neoclassical economics.
19th homework, which is on Veblen and only homework not submitted through Google Classroom
WEEK FOURTEEN
26.
On the 26th day, we discussed Thorstein Veblen and (old) institutionalist economics.
20th homework (Fresno State login required)
27.
On the 27th day, we discussed the Keynesian revolution.
No homework because you're finishing up the full text of your second presentation
WEEK FIFTEEN
28.
On the 28th day, your presentation was due and we discussed the future of economics.
21st homework (Fresno State login required), which is the only homework that's not due by the beginning of the next class after it's assigned. (You have your break, you have your performance to prepare for, etc.) We'll make it due at least 15 minutes before class on Thur., Dec 5th
Thanksgiving break
UNDER CONSTRUCTION BELOW
WEEK SIXTEEN
29.
On the 29th day, student presentations started.
Handout on presentations and single-page version
30.
On the 30th day, student presentations continued.
22nd homework (Fresno State login required), which is another self-assessment
WEEK SEVENTEEN
31.
Last day of scheduled instruction
FINAL EXAM WEEK