851-0101-55L  Introduction to the History of Economic Thought

SemesterHerbstsemester 2017
DozierendeN. Kamenov
Periodizitäteinmalige Veranstaltung
LehrspracheEnglisch
KommentarNumber of participants limited to 25

Particularly suitable for students of D-MTEC


KurzbeschreibungThe course offers a historical introduction to modern economic thought. It looks at texts of 'classical economics' as well as 'neo-classical', 20th century texts. In addition, the course addresses some modern contributions in the history of economics - in particular extra-European economic history - and their potential for the enrichment of mainstream economic thought.
LernzielThe course is conceptualized as an introduction to the history of economic thought. It acquaints students with the basic tenets of the 'classical economics' through historical accounts of the work of 'worldly philosophers' as well as primary reading of authors such as Adam Smith, David Ricardo and Karl Marx. Further, the course introduces students to 'neoclassical economics' of the 20th century, again looking at authors of particular significance in the furtherance of economic debates such as John Maynard Keynes, Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman. The course, however, takes also a closer look at authors whose work is usually situated beyond conventional economic thought, such as Karl Polanyi. Additionally, the course devotes also time to some extra-European economic thought - drain theory, world system and dependency theory, etc. - and its implications/applications in the history of the 20th century. Finally, a particular attention will be paid to some important contributions in the extra-European history of economics and to specific notions such as 'commodity chains', 'divergences' and 'modernization'. Combining these various items, the course aims not simply at introducing students to the 'evolution' of economic thought, but more broadly to ongoing academic debates, political and ideological tensions as well as to critical interventions. The ambition of the course is to inspire through a historical approach and to enrich the 'understanding' of economic theory with a questioning of its underlying structures and tenets and, ultimately, to advance critical thinking among students interested in modern economics.