Economic Classics: The History of Economic Ideas from Ancient Times to the Present

TR 3-4:30, 56-180

Surveys the history of economics by introducing students to some of the most powerful and influential economic thinkers, from Xenophon and Huan K’uan through Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and Paul Samuelson, to Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo. Explores the evolution of key economic concepts — the state and the market, natural resources, and crises — by situating them in historical context and perspective. Through the close reading, analysis and discussion of some of the most important texts in the history of economic thought, traces the development of ideas, norms and ways of thinking that continue to shape decision-making in both daily life and global policy.

Related Subjects

Offered Spring 2024

Catalog Subject Faculty Level HASS Category
21H.134 14.70

Medieval Economic History in Comparative Perspective

W EVE 7-10; 16-160
Anne E. C. McCants Introductory HASS-S CI-H
21H.187

US Environmental Governance: from National Parks to the Green New Deal

TR 11-12:30; 56-162
Megan A. Black Introductory HASS-H

Not Offered This Term

Catalog Subject Faculty Level HASS Category
21H.205 STS.427

The Civil War and the Emergence of Modern America: 1861-1890

Merritt Roe Smith Intermediate HASS-H
21H.350

Business in China Since 1800

Not offered regularly; consult department
Staff Seminar HASS-H
21H.383 U 21H.982 G

Technology and the Global Economy

Anne E. C. McCants Graduate
Seminar
HASS-S
21H.388 U 21H.988 G

Global Commodities, American Dreams

Megan A. Black Graduate
Seminar
HASS-H
21H.984 STS.414

Risk, Fortune, and Futurity

Caley Horan
Will Deringer
Graduate