Economics 4080

History of Economic Thought

Fall 2000

Dr. Bruce A. Seaman

LOGISTICS: MW: 7:15 - 8:30 P.M.; 311 Arts & Humanities Bldg; Computer # 4923

OFFICE AND OTHER INFO: 636 CBA Building; Phone: 404-651-2775; e-mail: ecobas@langate.gsu.edu, or at home: ecobas@cs.com. No formal office hours, but meetings can easily be arranged, or you can meet with me after class.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: An historical presentation of the economic doctrines of the physiocratic, classical, neoclassical, historical, Keynesian, and other schools of thought.

PREREQUISITES: Consent of Instructor

TEXT: Stanley L. Brue, The Evolution of Economic Thought, Sixth Edition, Dryden Press, 2000.

Note that additional reading will be assigned on several topics.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Three exams, including the final exam. Each exam is weighted equally. Class discussion is encouraged, and a brief class presentation may be required based on a research project on some particular topic assigned to each student.

OTHER POLICIES: While no attendance records are kept, class participation is important, and additional material for the exams is presented in the lectures and discussions. No make-up exams are given unless proof of an emergency can be provided. Advance notice of conflicts may be accepted in special circumstances.

COURSE SCHEDULE: Note that October 13 is the last day to withdraw and receive a "W."

Date: Topic and Assigned Reading

8/21: Introduction and Overview

8/23: The Mercantilists

Chs. 1 and 2

8/28: Examples of Modern Mercantilist Thought

Possible supplemental reading

8/30: The Physiocrats

Ch. 3

9/4: No class; Labor Day Holiday

9/6: Intro to Classical Economics

Ch. 4

9/11: The Importance of Adam Smith

Ch. 5

Possible supplemental reading from the Wealth of Nations

9/13: Adam Smith continued

Discussion of additional Smith reading

9/18: Malthus and the Modern Debate about Population

Ch. 6

Additional reading

9/20: Ricardo, Mill and the other Classical Scholars

Chs. 7 and 8

9/25: Review and Summary of the Classical Tradition; Intro to the Socialist

Challenge

Ch. 9

9/27: Conclude Discussion of the Early Socialists

10/2: EXAM I

10/4: Return and Discuss Exam I; Intro to Marxism

Ch. 10

10/9: Continue Discussion of Marxist Thinking

Ch. 10

10/11: The Modern Radical Tradition; The Union for Radical Political Economics

Supplemental reading from URPE

10/16: The Historical and Institutionalist Schools

Chs. 11 and 19

10/18: Modern Institutionalism; The Journal of Economic Issues

Selected examples of modern research

10/23: Marginalism: Intro to the Neoclassical Tradition

Ch. 12

10/25: No class; Conference Scheduling Conflict

10/30: Marginalist Contributions, continued

Chs. 13 and 14

11/1: The Emergence of the Neoclassical Standard: Microeconomics

Ch. 15

11/6 EXAM II

11/8: Return and Discuss Exam; Begin the Macro Debate

Ch. 16

11/13: The Macro Debate continued

Ch. 16

Possible supplemental reading

11/15: Keynesianism

Chs. 21 and 22

11/20: The Reaction to Keynes; Austrians and others

Supplemental reading

11/22: No Class; Thanksgiving Holiday

11/27: The Austrians continued; Theory of the Firm and Market Departures from

Pure Competition

Ch. 17

11/29: The Role of Math in Economic Analysis; Welfare Economics

Chs. 18 and 20

12/4: The Role of the Chicago School: Multiple Meanings

Ch. 24

12/6: The Economic Growth Debate: Past and Present; Concluding Observations

Ch. 23

Ch. 25

FINAL EXAM: Monday, December 11, 7:15 - 9:15 P.M.; Same Room

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