Lecture and seminar
- The relationship between economic theory and economic history.
- Transition from nomadic to agricultural economy.
- Early Greek and Roman economic development.
- The Western Mediterranean and the Roman Republic.
- The medieval economy in Western Europe.
- The rise of the manorial system.
- Early Capitalism.
- Mercantilism as a theory of economic development.
- The Industrial Revolution.
- The classical economists: Smith, Malthus and Ricardo.
- Problems of economic transition in underdeveloped countries.
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
- demonstrate a knowledge of the economic factors which have shaped the modern world and the ideas and theories that have contributed to the economic system under which we live;
- apply the economic factors which shaped the early Western World to the problems of economic transition in underdeveloped countries.
Term Tests | 30% - 50% |
Assignments and/or Papers | 10% - 30% |
Final Exam | 30% - 40% |
Participation and/or Quizzes | 0% - 10% |
Total | 100% |
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
De Vries, Jan. The Economy of Europe in an Age of Crisis 1600-1750, Latest Ed. Cambridge University Press, paperback edition.
Duby, Georges. Rural Economy and Country Life in the Medieval West. Latest Ed. University of South Carolina.
North, Douglas C. and Robert Paul Thomas. The Rise of the Western World, Latest Ed. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Supplementary material may be chosen from the following, as determined by the instructor:
Duby, Georges. The Early Growth of the European Economy, Latest Ed. Cornell.
Pounds, N. J. G. An Economic History of Medieval Europe, Latest Ed. Longman Group.
Morris, A. & Sayer, J. The Worlds of Economics – a vailable on reserve
Heath, Joseph. The Efficient Society, Latest Edition. Penquin.