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Harvard Economics. Two course reviews, 1881

 

AN ACCOUNT OF THE
ELECTIVE COURSES
GIVEN AT
HARVARD COLLEGE.

PUBLISHED BY THE
EDITORS OF THE HARVARD DAILY ECHO.

1881.

 

[p. 3]

In preparing the following descriptions of courses in Harvard, care has been taken to consult the various instructors, and to benefit by the experience of those students who have taken the courses. It is believed that this attempt to supplement the College Elective Pamphlet by more detailed descriptions will be found useful in selecting courses for next year. As a considerable portion of this was written early in the year, allowance must be made for changes in the numbering and arrangement of some of the electives. Owing to recent changes in several electives, and the late appearance of the Elective Pamphlet, much hasty revision has been necessary, and there are some alterations which may have been neglected. The index is arranged [p. 4] according to next year’s pamphlet, so that there will be no difficulty in finding the courses, although the arrangement, owing to the method of printing, is haphazard. No description of Mathematics 8 is given, as the nature of the course varies from time to time, and it is uncertain whether it is given at all next year. We wish to express our thanks to the professors and students who have assisted in preparing these pages.

[…]

[p. 120]

POLITICAL ECONOMY.

No student should allow the four years of his College life to pass without devoting some of his time to the study of Political Economy. It is needless to dilate upon its importance. Aside from the great value of a scientific knowledge of the subjects with which this science deals, the value of the mental training which the study of Political Economy affords can hardly be overestimated. Surely there is no science which investigates causes at once so varied and so important, affecting, as they do, the whole course of public and private life. No citizen of the United States has a right to neglect any opportunity to familiarize himself with the principles regulating, whether we will it or not, the whole social, moral, political and financial development of the country whose future rests partly in his hands.

Political Economy 1 is a course devoted principally to a study of the fundamental principles of the science of Political [p. 121] Economy. The textbook used is John Stuart Mill’s “Principles of Political Economy,” the difficulties in it being cleared up in the recitation room. [cf. the abridged edition of Mill’s Principles edited “with critical, bibliographical, and explanatory notes, and a sketch of the history of political economy” by J. Laurence Laughlin published in 1884] Just before the semi-annuals a course of lectures on “Banking” is given by Prof. Dunbar, and before the annuals a course on the “Financial Legislation of the United States,” giving special attention to the measures adopted during the war and after it up to the present time. Both of these are full of interest and valuable information. The instruction, if the course is conducted as in previous years, will be given by means both of recitations and of lectures, the latter predominating during the last part of the year, although even then there is enough of delightful uncertainty maintained to prevent the student from slighting the work of each day. As yet no definite arrangement has been made as to the amount of work to be done by each of the two instructors, Prof. Dunbar and Dr. Laughlin. The course will be either two or three hours, as the student may choose. Let no one take it under the impression that he is taking a “soft” course; those [p. 122] seeking such must avoid Political Economy 1. To recommend such a course to an earnest student would be superfluous ; to any other, useless.

Political Economy 2. This course, heretofore known as Political Economy 3, is one that should be taken by every one who has profited by Political Economy 1. As some peculiar ideas as to this course exist throughout the College, the best way to correct them is to tell what the course has dealt with during the past year. The first text-book used is “Some Leading Principles of Political Economy,” by J. E. Cairnes. Prof. Cairnes is a pupil and admirer of Mill, but one who dares to oppose his master on points where his reasoning or his conclusion seems faulty. He goes deeper into some of the principles of the science than Mill could possibly go in writing such a work as his “Principles,” and his book is perhaps a needed corrective to the mind of one too fully charged with Mill. The “Essays in Finance” is a collection of essays on economical and financial questions of the present time, by Robert Giffen, a gentleman in the [p. 123] employ of the London Board of Trade, a statistician, a member of the Statistical Society, and a contributor to the Economist. These essays bring the student face to face with the practical side of Political Economy. Prof. Dunbar has also given a course of lectures on the “History of Political Economy,” tracing the various distinguished economists of England, France, Germany, Italy and Russia; he has also lectured on other economical subjects. The class has also studied the question of the “Gold Standard,” and undertaken a slight analysis of some recent pamphlets on “Free Trade” and “Protection.” Each student is required to write a thesis on some subject connected with Political Economy. The subjects of this year were: “The Decline of American Shipping;” “The Act of May 31, 1878,” and “The Balance of Trade since 1873 and its Probable Future.” The course is eminently a practical and working course on Political Economy, which no one who wishes thoroughly to understand that science can safely neglect. It might well be called a course [p. 124] in “Applied Political Economy.” as in it the principles learned in Political Economy 1 are studied in their application to actual events. Any one wishing to take the course must first consult Prof. Dunbar. Whatever may be Prof. Dunbar’s private opinion on the, to us, vital questions of free trade and protection, the treatment which they receive in the class is absolutely impartial, and neither side can complain that it is misrepresented.

_______________________

archive.org has a downloadable copy of this book.

 

Image Source:  Charles Dunbar in The Harvard Graduates’Magazine, Vol. VIII, No. 32 (June, 1900), Frontspiece.

Categories
Curriculum Harvard Regulations

Harvard Economics. Account of Graduate Department, July 1886

Excerpts from the pamphlet for the Graduate Department of Harvard University. Looking to the future division of History, Government and Political Economy, I have included information on the fields of history, political science and political economy. I have also included the sections on admission, general degree requirements, fees and estimated costs of room and board.

____________________________

HARVARD UNIVERSITY.

ACCOUNT OF THE GRADUATE DEPARTMENT
FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1886-87.
SECOND EDITION.

PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY.
July, 1886.

[p. 3]

THE GRADUATE DEPARTMENT.
1886-87.

The Graduate Department of Harvard University is under the charge of the Academic Council, which consists of the President and the Professors and Assistant Professors of the whole University.

 

ADMISSION OF STUDENTS.

Applications for admission to the Graduate Department are received by the Academic Council, and should be made at the beginning of the academic year. Admission is ordinarily granted to Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Science of Harvard University; and to Graduates of other Colleges and Scientific Schools of good standing, who present satisfactory evidence of character and qualifications. Other persons, of suitable age and attainments, may also be admitted, by special vote of the Academic Council in each case.

An application from any person holding an academic degree may be made by filling out and depositing a registration blank at the office of the University, at No. 5, University Hall, Cambridge. If the applicant is not a graduate of Harvard University, he must also file at the same office, for the consideration of the Council, (1) a diploma, or official certificate, of graduation at some institution of advanced education, and (2) satisfactory certificates of scholarship and character. He may also be called upon for a catalogue of the institution at which he was graduated, and for a statement concerning his course since graduation, and should be prepared to furnish these additional documents, on demand.

The Academic Council will vote on applications for admission to the Graduate Department at the next following stated meeting of the Council. Persons intending to enter the Graduate Department, and desirous of knowing whether their qualifications will probably be deemed sufficient by the Academic Council, may apply for information by letter to The Secretary of Harvard College, No. 5, University Hall, Cambridge, Mass.

Members of the Graduate Department can, on application, obtain information as to the probable time that will be requisite for obtaining any

[p. 4]

degree given by the University, and as to the conditions of study for such degree. But the time required in a given case (especially for the degree of Ph.D. or S.D.) will be largely determined by the qualifications of the candidate, as actually shown during his period of graduate study; and cannot, therefore, be accurately stated at the outset.

 

THE REQUIREMENT OF RESIDENCE.

All members of the Graduate Department, with the special exceptions noted below, are required to pursue their studies at this University; and are generally expected to attend the exercises in some course or courses of instruction, and to perform all the required work (including examinations) in such courses; or to carry on regular work in some laboratory or museum or in the library, under the frequent inspection and criticism of instructors in the University.

But holders of travelling fellowships, pursuing their studies elsewhere with the sanction of the Academic Council, are members of the Graduate Department.

Students who are conducting special investigations which require their absence from the University, and those who have completed a period of residence at the University, and are carrying on actual studies with the purpose of becoming candidates for a degree, may also be allowed to register in the Graduate Department, under such conditions as may be imposed in each case. The requirements of study and residence for the several degrees are stated below (pp. 20-24).

 

REGISTRATION AND REPORT.

Every member of the Graduate Department is required to register at the office of the University, at No. 5, University Hall, at the beginning of each academic year, on or before the first Wednesday in October, and to fill out an official blank there provided. He must at the same time obtain authority at the same office, if he is to be in residence, to attend instruction in the University.

Holders of travelling fellowships and other graduate students who are absent from the University by leave of the Academic Council must register by letter, having previously obtained the necessary blank by application to The Secretary of Harvard College.

A student who omits to register at the prescribed time without a satisfactory excuse is liable to be dropped from the list.

Every student is required to enter in his registration paper, with other particulars there called for, a brief statement of his plan of study for the

[p. 5]

year; and also of his actual work for the preceding year, if he was then a member of the Graduate Department.

A student who continues in the Graduate Department for more than one year, with the expectation of applying for a degree, may also be called upon, or may think it desirable, to submit a more detailed written statement of his work for each year, at its close or at the beginning of the next year.

Holders of travelling fellowships and other non-resident graduate students are required to make a full yearly report to the Academic Council.

Any graduate student who alters his address or his plan of study, or who discontinues his residence at the University, or is absent therefrom for more than one week in term time, or who engages in any regular occupation not stated by him in registering, or who in any way departs from the conditions under which he is understood to be studying, must give immediate notice of the change, and must file a new registration paper (if the change is permanent), at the office of the University.

A student who withdraws from the Graduate Department in the course of an academic year is required to give immediate notice at the office of the University and at the Bursar’s office. No deduction from the full year’s fees will be made in the case of a student withdrawing in the course of a year, unless he gives the notices here called for.

 

STUDIES.

In May of each academic year, the Faculty of Harvard College issue an Announcement of the Courses of Instruction provided for the following academic year. This Announcement (called the Elective Pamphlet) can be obtained on application to The Secretary of Harvard College, No. 5, University Hall, Cambridge, Mass. It includes all the courses offered in the College proper, in the Lawrence Scientific School, and in the Graduate Department. A large proportion of these courses are suitable to be taken by graduates, and are, in fact, regularly taken both by graduates and by advanced undergraduates. Many of them are offered with special reference to graduates; and any course is open to members of the Graduate Department who present sufficient evidence of qualification for that course.

Graduate students may also, in special cases, be admitted to courses given in the professional schools; and any member of the Graduate Department, paying the full fee of $150 per year, is admitted free to the instruction and the examinations given in any other department of the University, with the exception of exercises carried on in the special laboratories.

Graduate students are admitted to work in the Jefferson Physical Laboratory; the Chemical Laboratory in Boylston Hall; the Mineralogical Cabinet and Laboratory; the Museum of Comparative Zoology; the Botanic Garden and Herbaria and the Botanical Laboratory; and (in special

[p. 6]

cases) at the Bussey Institution. All these institutions afford excellent advantages for special study and research. See Appendix.

The University Library embraces various branches, which together contain (June, 1886) about 320,000 volumes. The most important of these branches is the College Library in Gore Hall; which contains about 240,000 volumes, besides a large collection of pamphlets, maps, etc., and is liberally administered for the use of the whole University. An account of this library and of the other libraries of the University will be found on pp. 34, 35. Attention is especially called to the reserved-book system, of which important use is made in many courses of instruction. Every facility is given, especially to students engaged in special studies, for the most advantageous use of the College Library; and great pains are taken to keep up its resources by the purchase of all important new books in the different departments of learning. Graduate students may likewise obtain access to the libraries of the Divinity, Law, Medical, and Scientific Schools, and the other branches of the University Library.

The neighborhood of Boston, moreover, brings within the reach of properly equipped students numerous opportunities for making use of the large and valuable libraries and scientific and art collections which that city contains. The Boston Public Library, in particular, with its great resources and extensive bibliographical aids, is open for consultation to all comers. The privilege of using other important libraries can also frequently be obtained.

As the system of Harvard College is elective, the students are distributed through a great number of courses, and the section in any one advanced course is, in general, a small one, in which each student receives much personal attention. The instruction is given mainly by informal lectures, interspersed with discussion between instructor and students, and aided by theses or other exercises; or by actual practice in the work of composition, or of investigation of authorities, or the solution of problems; or by experimental research in the laboratory or museum, under the guidance, or with the advice, of the instructor. Short examinations are held from time to time; and formal examinations, twice (or in some courses only once) in the year.

Besides the Announcement of Courses, called the Elective Pamphlet, supplementary pamphlets or sheets, containing detailed accounts of the courses offered in the following branches of study:— namely, The Semitic Languages; Sanskrit; Classical Philology; English; French; Romance Philology; Political Economy; Music; Mathematics; Physical Geography, Geology, and Palaeontology; Botany and Zoölogy; —are also issued, and may be obtained on application to The Secretary of Harvard College. These latter publications contain important particulars about the text-books, the methods of instruction, the objects, scope, and mutual

[p. 7]

connexions of the several courses, and the various advantages which students may find outside of the courses. Students unfamiliar with the arrangement of courses at this University, and intending to enter the Graduate Department, are especially advised to consult these publications (which are known as Descriptive Statements).

The following brief statement is intended to call the attention of graduates who may be contemplating a period of study here to such features of the system and apparatus of instruction as are likely to be chiefly interesting to them. But it is to be noted that such students may often find it most judicious to devote at least a part of their time to courses of a less advanced grade than those specially provided for graduates.

When a course is designated by a number, in the following statement, the number is that which denotes the same course in the Elective Pamphlet. A course of which the title or number is contained in square brackets is to be omitted in 1886-87, though probably to be given in 1887-88….

[p. 12]

Political Science

 To graduates desirous of pursuing the study of Political Science facilities are offered by established courses in Political Economy, History, Roman Law, and Philosophy, and at the Law School, and by opportunities for detailed investigation. The scope of the work in Political Economy and Roman Law is described under those heads. In History, a large amount of the instruction given (comprising, in all, the work of more than two years) bears upon the science of Government, Constitutional and Administrative Development, International Law, and kindred subjects. In addition,

[p. 13]

instruction is offered in the Ethics of Social Reform (Philosophy 11); in the oral discussion of topics in Political Economy and History (English 6); and in Constitutional Law by lectures in the Law School. Apart from the arrangements with separate instructors for special study and research, there are more than sixty hours of instruction per week, throughout the year, on subjects of importance to the student of Political Science. A Descriptive Statement is in preparation in this department. The degrees of A.M. and Ph.D. are conferred for work in Political Science upon graduates who fulfill the requirements.

Political Economy.

 For students already well grounded in Political Economy, courses are established which afford opportunities, (1) for a review of the historical development of economic science and for the comparison and criticism of leading writers and their theories; (2) for practice in the investigation and discussion of questions of economic legislation or policy; (3) for the study of land tenures and the methods of land-tenure reform in leading European countries; (4) for a review of the tariff and financial history of the United States, in connexion with general political history, and (5) for the comparative study of the systems of public finance adopted by the leading modern countries. For all students who wish to make an investigation of the broad subjects thus stated, more extended than is possible within the limits of an ordinary college course, the University Library affords ample resources, and the instructors are ready to give all possible encouragement and assistance.

In addition to the courses thus regularly established, the instructors in Political Economy also receive properly qualified students who wish to undertake some special advanced study or research. The subjects to be dealt with are selected by agreement between instructors and students, and with the general purpose of placing the investigator upon ground not previously trodden, and giving him an opportunity for original work. The extent and nature of the cooperation of the instructor, and the frequency of conference with the student, are left to be determined by the nature of the special subject on which the latter is engaged; but it is expected that, as indicated by the experience of 1885-86, the relation will be close. For further information, students are referred to the Descriptive Statement of courses in Political Economy.

History. 

 The department of History offers to graduate students advanced instruction in Ancient, Mediaeval, Ecclesiastical, Modern European, and American

[p. 14]

History, in International Law, and also in the History of Institutions, both political and religious.

Attention is specially called to the courses offered under the general title of Course 20; in which an opportunity is given competent students to do original work in Ecclesiastical History, in the Early History of Institutions, in the Social Condition of Western Europe in the XVIIIth century, in American History, or in the History of Modern Diplomacy. Students in these courses and in the other smaller sections will receive the personal attention of their instructors, who will advise and assist them in their chosen fields of research and in the preparation of suitable theses. In some of the courses offered under this head, special attention will be given to practice in the investigation of original sources. It is intended to make the work useful both to future teachers and historical investigators, and to professional or business men who may wish to become thoroughly familiar with some part of the field of history or to acquire the ability to weigh and examine historical evidences.

The College Library contains an extensive collection of original historical material, especially in Americana, and in documents relating to the history of international disputes. It aims to supply all the more important additions to the material of historical science, and to make its collections useful to all earnest enquirers. The reserved-book system receives much attention in this department, and access to the shelves may be obtained by students engaged in special researches. The libraries of the schools of Theology and Law are accessible to students, who may also, on proper recommendation always obtain the use of many important historical libraries in the immediate vicinity of the University.

Roman Law.

Two courses are offered for 1886-87; one general and introductory, the other advanced and special. The titles will be found in the elective pamphlet….

[p. 20]

DEGREES.

Any member of the Graduate Department may be admitted to examination for the degree of A.B. (if not already an A.B. of Harvard University), by vote of the College Faculty; or to examination for the degree of A.M., Ph.D., or S.D., by vote of the Academic Council; provided that all the required conditions of candidacy have been fulfilled. But, in future, no person will be regarded as a candidate for a degree, but

[p. 21]

only as a graduate student, until he actually presents himself for his final examination.

Applications from graduate students for admission to examination for any degree should be made to the College Faculty or to the Academic Council as early as the tenth day of January in the year in which the applicant wishes to be examined. Later applications may be received, provided all examinations already held in the courses of instruction taken by the student hare been passed, and all other requirements for the degree, up to the time of application, have been complied with. The application should be accompanied, in each case, by a statement of the course or field of study on which the applicant will offer himself for examination, and, if he is an applicant for Ph.D. or S.D., by the title of the thesis which he purposes to submit. Information concerning the conditions on which a graduate student may expect to be admitted to examination for any degree may be obtained, at any time, by application to the Secretary of the Academic Council.

The Degree of A.B.

A student who wishes to be admitted to examination for the degree of A.B. must have studied for at least one year at this University; and must have pursued a course of study approved by the College Faculty as affording suitable preparation for the degree, and have passed all the examinations in that course.

Qualification for candidacy for A.M., Ph.D., or S.D.

A student who wishes to become a candidate for the degree of A.M. or Ph.D. must have attained the degree of A.B. (or an equivalent degree); and, if this degree has not been conferred by Harvard University, it must be accepted by the College Faculty (with or without special conditions) as qualifying the student for candidacy for the degree of A.M. or Ph.D.

A student who wishes to become a candidate for the degree of S.D. must have attained the degree of S.B. (or an equivalent degree); and, if this degree has not been conferred by Harvard University, it must be accepted by the Faculty of the Lawrence Scientific School (with or without special conditions) as qualifying the student for candidacy for the degree of S.D.

Time Conditions.

The least periods of study and residence required for the degrees of A.M., Ph.D., and S.D., of students already properly qualified by the degree of A.B. or S.B., are as follows: For A.M., one year of study at the University, in the Graduate Department, or (in the case of a student who is also a candidate for a professional degree) in a professional department; for Ph.D., two years of study at the University, in the Graduate

[p. 22]

Department; for S.D., three years of special scientific study, of which at least two must be years of study at the University, in the Graduate Department. But the Academic Council may, for sufficient reasons, remit one of the two years of residence (not of study) for the degree of Ph.D. or S.D. to Bachelors of Arts or Science of Harvard University.

These periods must, however, be regarded merely as minimum periods required for the several degrees. They must often be exceeded; especially in the case of persons partly occupied in other work, of graduates of other institutions, and of Bachelors of Arts or Science of Harvard University who are studying for the degree of Ph.D. or S.D.

No year can be counted to a student as a full year of study for a degree which is not entirely devoted to studies approved by the Academic Council as forming a year’s work for that degree. A student who means to become a candidate for a degree should consult the Secretary of the Academic Council, at the beginning of each year, about his plan of study.

Grounds of the Degree of A.M.

The degree of A.M. is conferred on a student who passes, with high credit, an examination on a course of study proposed by the student, and approved by the Academic Council, as a suitable preparation for the degree; and this course of study may be limited to a single department, or may have a miscellaneous character. If no special conditions are imposed on a student’s candidacy, the requirement for the degree of A.M. ordinarily consists of four full courses of instruction, of advanced grade, pursued for one academic year.

The Academic Council will approve studies pursued in the Professional and Scientific Schools as constituents of a one year’s course for A.M.; but only when the Council is satisfied that the candidate has no intention or expectation of offering any of the same studies for another degree. The degree of A.M. may also be conferred on students having the degree of A.B. (conferred by Harvard University, or accepted as sufficient by the College Faculty), simultaneously with the degree of D.B., LL.B., M.D., S.B., or C.E., and on the same course of study. The degree is thus given, on the nomination of the appropriate Faculty, and on the recommendation of the Academic Council, and only after the longest course of study and residence provided for the professional degree, and upon examinations passed with high credit. Professional students, properly qualified, who wish to be candidates for the degree of A.M. on these terms should apply to the Faculty of their School on or before the 1st of June in the year of their graduation at the School. If not Bachelors of Arts of Harvard University, they should make early application to the College Faculty for the acceptance of their degree of A.B. They do not register as members of the Graduate Department.

[p. 23]

Grounds and Standing of the Degrees of Ph.D. and S.D.

The degree of Ph.D. or S.D. is given, not for the mere reason of faithful study for a prescribed time or in fulfilment of a determinate programme (even though approved by the Academic Council), and never for miscellaneous studies, but on the ground of long study and high attainment in a special branch of learning, manifested not only by examinations, but by a thesis, which must be presented and accepted before the candidate is admitted to examination, and must show an original treatment of a fitting subject, or give evidence of independent research.

Any person on whom the University has conferred the degree of Ph.D. or S.D. is thereby recognized as qualified to give instruction to candidates for this degree in the department in which he has taken the degree, and to advance knowledge in that department by his own investigation.

A candidate for the degree of Ph.D. must offer himself for examination in some one of the following departments: Philology; Philosophy; History; Political Science; Mathematics; Physics (including Chemistry); Natural History; and Music. Within his chosen department, he must name some special field of study, approved as sufficient by the committee of the Academic Council in that department. He is liable to minute examination on the whole of that special field; and is also required to prove such acquaintance with the subject-matter of his department in general as the committee in that department shall require.

A candidate for the degree of S.D. must offer himself for examination on two subjects, or fields of study, belonging to the range of the mathematical, physical, and natural sciences. He must show special attainments in one of these subjects, and is liable to minute examination in the whole ground which it covers; and he is also required to have such general knowledge in the department to which his special studies belong as the committee in that department shall require. His thesis must embody some contribution to science or some special investigation.

An applicant for the degree of Ph.D. or S.D. must hand a fair copy of his thesis, on or before the first day of May, to the chairman of the committee in his department of study; and the chairman has power to reject a thesis not plainly written. No candidate is admitted to examination till his thesis has been approved by the committee; and, on the approval of the thesis, and as early as the first day of June, the thesis is deposited at the office of the University, for inspection by any member of the Academic Council, with a certificate of approval, signed by a special committee.

A successful candidate is allowed to print his thesis as one accepted for the degree, with the certificate of approval and the signatures of the approving committee; and either a printed or a written copy of the thesis

[p. 24]

and the original certificate mast be deposited in the Library and must be open to public inspection.

The department of study in which the degree of Ph.D. or S.D. is conferred is named in the quinquennial catalogue of the University; and the department, the special branch of the department, and the title of the thesis are named in the Commencement programme and the next following annual catalogue.

The degree of Ph.D. carries with it that of A.M., the full title of the degree being Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts.

A student who has taken the degree of A. M. may count the study and residence, already offered for that degree, towards the degree of Ph.D. also; provided the Academic Council approve such study and residence as in itself suitable to be counted for the degree of Ph.D.

 

FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

The attention of students who purpose to enter the Graduate Department from some other college is specially called to the Morgan Fellowships….

[p. 26]

The Morgan Fellowships. — Four Fellowships of the annual value of $500 each were established in 1884 by the gift of the late Henry T. Morgan of New York. These Fellowships are to be assigned to persons undertaking advanced studies, in the departments in which the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Science are given. The applicant need not have received, or be a candidate for, any academic degree, but must exhibit proof of such previous training, attainments, and capacity, as promise special fitness for the work which he undertakes. The holder of a Morgan Fellowship is required to carry on his studies subject to the approval

[p. 27]

and under the supervision of the Standing Committee in the department in which his studies lie, to reside in Cambridge through the academic year, and to engage in no other occupation, except such public instruction as may have been approved by the Academic Council. The term of appointment to a Morgan Fellowship will be one year, but the holder will be eligible for appointment for a second term.

The appointment is made annually by the President and Fellows on recommendation of the Academic Council, at or about Commencement in each year….

[p. 28]

PRIZES.

The following prizes are administered by the Academic Council, and are open for competition to students in the Graduate Department: — …

 

The Toppan Prize.

A prize of one hundred and fifty dollars, the gift of Robert Noxon Toppan, of the class of 1858, is offered for the best Essay (of sufficient merit) on one of the following subjects in Political Science: —

  1. The present condition of Economical Science, and the demand for a radical change in its methods and aims.
  1. The origin, services, and future of a Second House                     [p. 29]
  2. The causes and probable effects of the tendency to Disestablishment of State Churches.

This prize is open to Graduates of the College of not more than three years’ standing, and to all persons who, having received an academic degree, pursue in 1885-86 or 1886-87 regular studies in the Graduate Department or in one of the Professional Schools.

Essays must be deposited at the President’s office on or before the first day of May, 1887. In every case the writer must inscribe an assumed name on the title-page. A sealed letter must be sent in at the same time, under cover with the Essay, containing the true name of the writer, with the date of his graduation; and this letter must be superscribed with the assumed name. Any manuscript not plainly written may be rejected. The prize will not be awarded to any Essay that does not give such evidence of solid study, sound thought, and literary care, as would, in the opinion of the judges, warrant its publication….

[p. 31]

FEES, BONDS, AND EXPENSES.

The full annual tuition-fee of a graduate student is $150.

A graduate student who pays the full tuition-fee is entitled, without further payment, to attend any of the courses of instruction in any department of the University (except exercises carried on in special laboratories), and to be examined in such courses. He has the right to use the University Library; and, on the further payment of certain laboratory fees, he may attend, and be examined in, courses of instruction, and, if properly qualified, may be admitted to work, in the following laboratories and museums: —

The Jefferson Physical Laboratory,

The Chemical Laboratory in Boylston Hall,

The Mineralogical Cabinet and Laboratory,

The Museum of Comparative Zoology,

The Botanic Garden and Herbaria and the Botanical Laboratory.

The special laboratory-fees are as follows: For each laboratory-course in Physics, the fee is $10, which covers all charges. For study in the Chemical and Mineralogical laboratories, there is a general fee, which varies from $5 to $30, according to the nature and amount of the work undertaken, and also an individual fee for the use of materials in special investigations and for breakage, and in payment of fines for violation of the laboratory regulations. For each laboratory-course in Natural History, the fee is $5, which covers all charges.

Graduate students who do not wish to take the full number of courses

[p. 32]

of instruction may register as members of the Graduate Department, and may avail themselves of many of the privileges of full membership in the University, on the following terms : —

For any course of instruction, named in the Elective Pamphlet, and not a laboratory-course, the fee is $45 a year; and for any such half-course, $25 a year; up to $150 a year. But any student who takes a laboratory-course must pay the full tuition-fee of $150, besides the special laboratory-fees. For instruction not given in the regular courses, or at the laboratory, the fee will be computed at the rate of $15 per one hour a week of instruction during the academic year, up to $150. But in no case shall the tuition-fee of a graduate student, whether resident or not (non-resident holders of fellowships being excepted) be less than $30 a year; and it is never more than $150 a year.

A graduate student paying less than $150 a year is not entitled to the privilege of free admission to the instruction and the examinations given in other departments of the University.

The fee for the examination for the degree of Ph.D. or S.D. is $30; but this fee is not charged to any candidate who has paid the full tuition-fee of $150 for at least one year as a graduate student.

Graduates of the University or of other collegiate institutions, desirous of pursuing their studies at Cambridge without guidance, may enjoy the use of the Library on the payment of five dollars a year; but such graduates are not entitled to be classed as students of the University, nor will residence on these terms be accepted as residence constituting membership of the Graduate Department or qualifying for any degree.

Members of the Graduate Department, except the holders of travelling fellowships, must give bonds in the sum of $200, signed by two bondsmen, one of whom must be a citizen of the United States, for the payment of all dues to the University, but the bond of the “American Surety Company,” if made in a form that shall be satisfactory to the Bursar, will also be received. Instead of filing a bond, any student who prefers may pay his fees in advance, and deposit with the Bursar such a sum of money as may be deemed sufficient to secure payment of all other dues to the University.

No officer or student of the University will be accepted as a bondsman. The bills of graduate students are payable in each year on January 12, April 12, and October 10; but the third bill of all candidates for degrees must be paid at least one day before Commencement. Each bill will contain one third of the annual charges. When a student severs his connexion with the University, his whole bill becomes payable at once.

The following deductions are made from the full year’s tuition fee, in cases of absence during a part of the year, arising from any cause: —

[p. 33]

For absence during not less than three consecutive months at any time of the year, $30 will be deducted.

For absence during the whole year, not including the mid-year or final examinations, $100 will be deducted.

No deduction is made, on the ground of absence, from the fees charged for single courses and half-courses.

The necessary expenses of living of a graduate student for an academic year (of thirty-eight weeks) may be estimated as follows : —

Rent and care of furnished room…             $40 to $175

 

Board…                                                               133 to 304

 

Fuel and lights…                                                20 to 50

$193 to $529

For the total yearly expenditure (including the full tuition-fee, books, room, board, fuel, lights, clothing, etc.), $500 is enough for a student who practices strict, but not unhealthful economy; $800, for one of careful and moderate habits; and $1000, to cover all ordinary comforts; while $1400 is a very liberal estimate for any student who does not indulge in mere extravagance.

Members of any department of the University can board at cost by joining the Association which uses the great dining-room of Memorial Hall. The cost may be expected not to exceed four dollars and a half per week. Applications for seats should be made, at as early a date as possible, at the Hall to the Auditor, from whom full information can be obtained. The Hall opens on the last Wednesday in September.

The Hemenway Gymnasium (see p. 39) is open to all students of the University.

[p. 34]

APPENDIX.

LIBRARIES, LABORATORIES, MUSEUMS, ETC.

The University Library.

The College Library in Gore Hall is for the use of the whole University. All students who have given bonds may take out books, three volumes at a time, and may keep them four weeks. Books, reserved at the instance of officers of instruction, as collateral reading for their courses, are shelved in separate alcoves, with tables for consultation, and can be taken out only near the close of library hours, and must be returned upon the reopening of the Library. Students who leave Cambridge for an absence of more than one week must first return all borrowed books.

The College Library is open every week-day, except Thanksgiving day, Christmas day, New Year’s day, Fast day, Memorial day, and the Fourth of July, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m.; but in winter it closes half an hour before sunset, and in vacation or recess at 2 p.m. On Sundays during term time the Library is open, for readers only, after 1 o’clock p.m.

The College Library may be consulted by all persons, whether connected with the University or not. The privilege of borrowing books is also granted, under special regulations, to persons not connected with the University. Blanks for making applications for such use may be had of the Librarian.

Persons entitled to use the College Library can have access to the departmental libraries, for consultation, by applying to the Superintendent of circulation at Gore Hall; but such libraries are primarily for the special use of the schools and departments, and are placed in the buildings belonging to such schools and departments. An express-box passes regularly between the College Library and the Bussey Institution.

The following was the enumeration of the bound volumes in the several libraries in Sept. 1885 : —

Gore Hall                                                         232,800

Lawrence Scientific School                              2,500

Bussey Institution (Jamaica Plain)                2,700

Phillips Library (Observatory)                        3,300

Botanic Garden (Herbarium Library)           4,000

Law School                                                        21,600

Divinity School                                                 17,400

Medical School (Boston)                                  1,500

Museum of Comparative Zoology                17,600*

Peabody Museum                                                 800

304,800

 

* This does not include the Whitney Collection of Geology and Geography, not yet enumerated.

[p. 35]

The collection of pamphlets and maps in the College Library is very large, and is estimated to be equal in number to the collection of bound volumes. The departmental libraries have also considerable numbers of pamphlet monographs on subjects connected with their specialties; and these are not included in the count of volumes. The College Library has also a collection of coins.

The catalogue of the Gore Hall Collection, including pamphlets, is on cards, accessible to the public, and consists of two parts, the one arranged by authors, the other by subjects. Printed strips of titles added to all the libraries are issued two or three times a week; and they are posted in Gore Hall and in the departmental libraries. Three or four times during the academic year, they are gathered in the Bulletin of the University, and issued with notes on the authorities in different departments of knowledge. From such supplements, another series of publications is made up, as “Bibliographical Contributions,” which are in course of publication. More extensive bibliographical works constitute another series, ” Special Publications,” of which Scudder’s “Catalogue of Scientific Serials” (1633-1876, 8vo, pp. 370) makes No. 1, published in 1879. There has also been issued a Catalogue of the Gray Collection of Engravings (4to, 1869); but this collection has, for the present, been transferred from the Library to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The Library also issues for the University a Weekly Calendar, giving announcements not contained in the tabular views….

[p. 39]

The Hemenway Gymnasium.

The new gymnasium, named in honor of Augustus Hemenway of Boston, who gave it to the University, is a handsome and spacious structure, built and equipped with the utmost thoroughness. It is furnished with the best patterns of ordinary gymnastic apparatus, and with many new appliances designed to develop the different parts of the body, and so constructed that they can be adjusted to the strength of the strong or to the weakness of the weak.

The bathing arrangements are complete, and the dressing accommodations are ample.

Facilities for recreative exercise have been provided in the Bowling-Alleys and Ball-Court, and in the Rowing, Fencing, and Sparring Rooms

The Gymnasium is open to all students of the University on week days from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., and from 3 until 5.30, and from 8 until 10 p.m., except on Saturdays, when it is closed at 6 o’clock.

The attendance is voluntary, and the system adopted is one designed to meet the special wants of each individual. Realizing the great diversity in age, size, and strength, as well as in health, of the students who attend the University, the Director makes no attempt to group them into classes which pursue the same course of exercises.

[p. 40]

Upon entering the University, each student is entitled to an examination by the Director, in which his physical proportions are measured, his strength tested, his heart and lungs examined, and information is solicited concerning his general health and inherited tendencies. From the data thus procured, a special order of appropriate exercises is made out for each student, with specifications of the movements and apparatus which he may best use. After working on this prescription for three or six months, the student is entitled to another examination, by which the results of his work are ascertained, and the Director enabled to make a further prescription for his individual case.

A course of informal lectures is given by the Director, in which the theories and principles of physical training are practically illustrated….

 

Source: Harvard University. Account of the Graduate Department for the Academic Year 1886-87 (Second edition, July 1886),

Categories
Curriculum Harvard Regulations

Harvard Economics. Information Regarding Graduate Degrees, 1947

February 1, 1947

HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Department of Economics
Information Regarding Graduate Degrees

I.       ADMISSION TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Application for admission to the Graduate School should be made directly to the Graduate School office in Farlow House, 24 Quincy Street.

II.      REGISTRATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENT PROGRAMS

All graduate students, including veterans, are expected to register for full-time study, or four half-courses. Exceptions may be made on the basis of medical or physical reasons. Consult the Graduate School Dean or Secretary.

III.     REQUIREMENTS FOR THE A.M. IN ECONOMICS

A. Plan of Study Plans of Study must be approved by the Chairman of the Department before the end of the first term in residence.

B. Residence  Two full terms of advanced work with acceptable grades at Harvard are necessary to establish residence.

C. Languages  A reading knowledge of one approved language (other than English) in which there exists a significant body of literature in the field of Economics is required. This requirement is satisfied by passing the written examination given by the Department in the first week of November and March. This requirement must be met before taking the general examination.

D. General Oral Examination

1. The candidate will be examined on four fields, as presented in the Plan of Study, selected from the groups below:

(a) Two from Group A, including Economic Theory.

(b) Two from Groups A, B, and C (not more than one from Group C).

Group A

(1) Economic Theory and its History, with special reference to the Development of Economic Thought since 1776.

(2) Economic History since 1750, or some other approved field in Economic History

(3) Statistical Method and its Application

Group B

(4) Money and Banking

(5) Economic Fluctuations and Forecasting

(6) Transportation

(7) Industrial Organization and Control

(8) Public Finance

(9) International Trade and Tariff Policies

(10) Economics of Agriculture

(11) Labor Problems

(12) Socialism and Social Reform

(13) Economic History before 1750

(14) Consumption Distribution and Prices

(15) Economics of Public Utilities

(16) Social Security

Group C

(17) Forestry Economics

(18) Any of the historical fields defined under the requirements for the Ph.D. in History

(19) Certain fields in Political Science listed under the requirements for the Ph.D. in Political Science.

(20) Jurisprudence (selected topics)

(21) Philosophy (selected topics)

(22) Anthropology

(23) History of Political Theory

(24) International Law

(25) Sociology. Certain fields defined under the requirements for the Ph.D. in Sociology.

2. Under certain conditions three fields of study may be offered for the oral examination. If the candidate is to be examined orally in three fields of study, he must present, in lieu of an oral examination on the fourth field, a full course on the graduate level offered by the Department followed by a seminar in the same field. The approval of the Chairman of the Department is necessary. Grades of at least B+ must be obtained in each course.

3. Preparation

(a) The fields of study are covered in part by formal course instruction, but supplementary reading must be undertaken to meet the requirements.

(b) Preparation for the field Economic Theory and its History will normally require two full courses in the field at the graduate level, or equivalent private reading. Candidates should consult the Chairman of the Department concerning their work in this field.

(c) In Statistics, Economics 21a, or its equivalent, is a prerequisite to graduate instruction. Either Professor Crum or Professor Frickey should be consulted.

(d) Usually three terms of graduate study at Harvard are necessary as preparation for the general examination, but a candidate who has been credited with graduate work of high order at another institution may be able to prepare himself in a shorter period.

4. Excuses from final course examinations

Candidates for the Master’s degree who are not candidates for the Ph.D. degree must take the final examinations in courses.

5. Quality of work

Candidates for this degree must give evidence, in their course records, of the capacity for distinguished work. Ordinarily, candidates whose records at Harvard do not average at least B will not be allowed to present themselves for the general examination.

6. Arranging the examination

The oral, or general, examinations are not set at any specified date. The arrangements for the examination must be made at least six weeks in advance of the date proposed by the candidate. Consult the Secretary of the Department, M-8 Littauer Center.

E. Application for the A.M.

Application for the degree must be filed in the office of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 24 Quincy Street, by December 1 for a degree at Midyear; March 1 for the degree at Commencement. (August 1 if degrees are awarded at end of summer term.)

F. Special A.M. in Economics for Veterans

The only changes from the stated conditions given above are:

(1) On petition a candidate for a master’s degree may present himself for an oral examination in which quantitatively the requirement in Economic Theory is one that can be met in one year of graduate study.

(2) The requirements regarding the offering of Economic History or Statistics are eliminated.

It must be understood that the oral examination for this degree will not be accepted as part of the formal requirements for the Ph.D. degree.

A. Plan of Study Plans of Study must be approved by the Chairman of the Department before the end of the first term in residence.

B. Residence  Two full terms of advanced work with acceptable grades at Harvard are necessary to establish residence.

C. General Oral Examination  The candidate will be examined on four fields as presented in the Plan of Study. (See list of fields of study above.)

(a) Economic Theory

(b) Three from Groups A, B, and C (not more than one from Group C.)

IV.      REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D. IN ECONOMICS

A. Residence

To establish residence for the Ph.D. degree, the Faculty requires not less than two full years of advanced work (four terms). To count toward this requirement the quality of the work i each course must be maintained at a high level.

1. Two terms (eight courses) must be taken during the academic year in residence at Harvard.

2. Graduate work completed in other departments of Harvard or at another institution may be offered in full or partial fulfilment of the other two terms required. Consult the Chairman of the Department.

B. Languages

The candidate must present a reading knowledge of two approved languages (other than English) in which there exists a significant body of literature in the field of Economics, one passed before taking the general examination, and both passed at least six months before the special examination. This requirement is satisfied only by passing the examination given by the Department of Economics in the first week of November and March.

The candidate may, if he chooses, offer in place of one of the required languages evidence of his capacity to read and understand the more elementary mathematical presentations used or usable in economics.

Such elementary methods are herein defined to include such knowledge of analytic geometry as is frequently given in the first year of college and such knowledge of differential calculus and integral calculus as is frequently given in a single-year course in college.

In terms of present (1947) courses in Harvard College, this means through Math 2.

Evidence that the student has this knowledge shall be furnished by the passage of an examination “in the reading of mathematical economics” to be set by an officer of this Department and held at the usual date or dates of the language examination. By exception, a pass grade in Math 2a and b at Harvard or Radcliffe will be accepted in place of the special mathematics examination. In unusual cases, the examiner may recommend that appropriate grades in similar mathematics courses elsewhere be accepted instead of the special examination.

C. Plan of Study

Every candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy is required to submit to his Department, on a blank provided by the Department office, a plan showing his fields of study and his preparation in those fields. This plan of study must be submitted not later than the end of the first term of graduate work. The Department reserves the right not to approve any plan which seems unsatisfactory, even though the plan meets the formal requirements of distribution in the various groups. Candidates may present, for the consideration of the Department, reasonable substitutes for any of the fields named in the several groups.

1. The plan of study must include six fields, approved by the Chairman of the Department, selected as follows from the list on pp. 1-2 above:

(a) The three subjects in Group A are required, and

(b) Three from Group B, or

(c) Two from Group B and one from Group C.

D. General Oral Examination

1. The general oral examination for the Ph.D. is the same as the examination for the Master’s degree.

2. Excuses from final course examinations:

(a) Consult the Secretary of the Department in M-8 Littauer Center.

(b) Ordinarily candidates are excused from the final examinations in courses included in the fields presented for the general examination provided the general examination is passed after December 1 in the fall term and April 14 in the spring term and before the course examinations are held.

(c)  Students must receive at least a grade of “good” in the general examination to be excused.

E. Fifth Field (write-off field)

The requirement regarding the fifth field of study in the Ph.D. program is usually fulfilled by the passing of the equivalent of a full year graduate course offered at Harvard and completed with the grade of B+ or higher. Seminars offered by the Graduate School of Public Administration are not acceptable for “write-off” purposes. The requirement also may be fulfilled by oral examination at the time of the general. One-half course must have been completed in the write-off field with a grade of B+ or higher before the general examination.

F. Thesis  – written within the sixth (special) field

1. Every candidate for the doctorate is required to report to the Secretary of the Department, as soon as possible after his general examination, the subject of his thesis and the member of the Department under whom he intends to work.

2. Two bound copies of the thesis, the original of which may be printed or typewritten, with a carbon copy clear and legible, must be in the hands of the Chairman of the Department by December 1  and  April 1 for degrees at midyear or Commencement, and August 1 for a fall degree.

3. The thesis must be accepted by the Department before the candidate can be admitted to the final examination.

4. The thesis must show an original treatment of the subject, and give evidence of independent research.

5. Every thesis must be accompanied by two copies of a brief summary, not exceeding 1200 words in length, which shall indicate as clearly as possible the methods, material, and results of the investigation. These summaries will be printed by the University in an annual volume.

G. Special Oral Examination

1. At present it is expected that one year of residence will elapse between the general and the special examinations. The preparation for the doctorate is regarded by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and by the Department as a continuous process. Ordinarily, the candidate must stand for the final examination within five years after passing the general examination.

2. Applications for the Ph.D. degree must be filed with the Graduate School (24 Quincy Street) and approved by the Administrative Board of the Graduate School before the final examination. The Graduate School requires that the application be filed by December 1 for the degree at midyear, and March 1 for the degree at Commencement (or August 1 if degree is awarded at end of summer term).

3. To arrange for the date of the special examination, consult the Secretary of the Department, M-8 Littauer Center, six weeks in advance of the proposed date, and before December 1, for the degree at midyear, and March 1 for the degree at Commencement.

4. The special examination will include an examination of the candidate on the thesis presented and also an intensive examination on the “sixth field” within which the subject matter of the thesis is included.

5. During the special oral examination, candidates are required to show an acquaintance with the literature in their special field in the two languages approved for their program.

H. For the doctorate in Economics at least three years devoted to advanced study are usually considered as the minimum period of preparation for graduates of colleges in good standing.

I. Candidates for the degree should be well grounded in the main outlines of European and American history, and should have had a general view of the nature and growth of political institutions and constitutional law.

J. Students who wish to pursue special plans of study for the Ph.D., or to work in fields not announced as fields in which the degree may be taken, should consult the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Science, since in exceptional cases special arrangements may be made.

K. Special Ph.D. in Economics for Veterans

The only change from the stated conditions given above is that in the case of exceptional performance in graduate study, the requirements regarding the number of fields for the Ph.D may be reduced to five fields, but in each case this program must be voted by the Department.

V.      REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D. IN BUSINESS ECONOMICS

The program of study for the degree will be made up of six fields chosen from the groups given below. Four (or under certain conditions, three) of these fields, including Economic Theory, which is required, will be presented for the general examination. Only two fields, including Economic Theory, may ordinarily be chosen from Group A. Fields other than those here stated may be offered. Emphasis is placed upon an integrated program. in all cases the program of study must be approved by the Chairman of the Department of Economics. For advice, see the Chairman of the Department of Economics. For advice, see the Chairman of the Department of Economics on courses relating to economics and the Secretary of the Doctoral Board at the Graduate School of Business Administration for business subjects.

Group A

(1) Economic Theory and its History, with special reference to the Development of the History of Economic Thought since 1776.

(2) Economic History since 1750.

(3) Public Finance and Taxation.

(4) Economics of Agriculture.

Group B

(5) Accounting

(6) Marketing

(7) Foreign Trade

(8) Production

(9) Money and Banking

(10) Corporate Organization and Finance

(11) Transportation

(12) Insurance

(13) Statistical Method and its Application

(14) Economics of Public Utilities

(15) Labor

Special Examination and Thesis

     The procedure in general follows that outlined for the Ph.D. in Economics. The field for the special examination should ordinarily be chosen from Group B.

SOURCE:  HARVARD UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES.
UAV 349.11 Box 13. Department of Economics/1930-1961 and some earlier/General Exams to Haberler
Graduate Degree Requirements.

Categories
Economists Harvard

Harvard Economics. Rules for Graduate Study, 1955

Letter from Economics Department Chairman Seymour E. Harris to Professor Edward H. Chamberlin December 1, 1955 in which he is appointed Chairman of the Committee on Graduate Instruction and Examinations. “For your convenience I have jotted down the major rules that still seem to prevail, though I am not sure that I covered all of them. The Economics Bible is available in Miss Cohn’s office, but should not be taken out of this office, or not farther than the QJE office.”

___________________________

Rules for Graduate Study

(Based on the Economics Department Bible)

  1. Students ordinarily to study full time. Permission to work at less than full time: if working out; for medical reasons; if short 1 –  1½ courses. Permission is required from Dean of Graduate School (1946).
  2. Residence Complete
    Working on a thesis — full-time registration is required.
  3. Outside Field is acceptable if
    Contributes to program in economics
    Limited number (1946)
    Chairman administers (1947)
  4. History of Economic Thought
    Should be tested in theory exam. (1939)
  5. Languages
    Mathematics can be substituted.
    Mathematics 2 at Harvard or test will fulfill requirements.
    Foreign student — 1 language at discretion of Chairman. But ordinarily tested to make sure that student can handle English.
    French or German must be 1 language.
    Second language: Math (substitute), or Spanish, or Italian, or Russian, or Scandinavian, or French, or German (1947-50).
    Can substitute other language if needed for Ph.D. thesis — with consent of Chairman.
    M.A. — 1 language — French or German.
    Fail twice — must give evidence of further work — e.g., ½ course.
  6. Three-Man Examination Board
    If student has ½ A’s, note below A-
    1 B+ if examined in this course
    1½ hours for three-man board
  7. Low Grades
    Chairman in consultation recommend to Dean against registration (1943)
    Below 2 B+’s and 2 B’s — warned
    Previously not allowed to register (1947)
  8. B Record a Condition for General Exam. (1939)
  9. Write-Off Fields
    B+ average (1939)
    Met by taking full graduate course at Harvard (1949)
    Summer course not adequate.
    B+ average O.K. if ½ course is below B when improvement is shown (1943).
  10. Credit for Graduate Courses Taken as Undergraduate
    Allowed if not counted towards A.B. (1946).Credits for 1 degree not count for others — Ph.D. at least 1 year beyond A.M.
  11. Statistics (1946)
    221a and 221b or 221a and 221c* [Footnote: “* On advice of Professor Orcutt.”]
    If not covered by exams., must have B+ or better for ½ course before exams.
    Pass Generals but inadequate grade in statistics — to be examined in Specials on statistics.
  12. M.A. — Generally 2 years.
    Grades — Same as Ph.D., except pass – lower standard than fair minimum for Ph.D.
    Ordinarily for 2 years, but exceptions could be made.
    (recent years)
  13. Exams.
    Theory and its history — ordinarily 2 courses theory
    Examiner should have significant contact with student (1940)
  14. Exam. (General)
    Before January 1952 — examined in special field
    Taken after 1952 — examined on thesis only. Special field should be covered in general exam.
  15. Must write thesis within five years of General Exam.
    Additional year may be granted by Chairman.

SOURCE:  HARVARD UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES.
UAV 349.11 Box 13. Department of Economics/1930-1961 and some earlier/General Exams to Haberler
Graduate Degree Requirements.

Categories
Harvard

Harvard Economics. Degree Rulings, 1930

October 25, 1930

DEGREE RULINGS

Required Fields:

Statistics:

“The Chairman informed the Department that in the cases of students electing Economics 1a and 41b he had ruled that such students should present themselves for oral examination in Statistics and that he would not accept 1a and 41b in lieu of such examination. This ruling was approved by the Department. The Department was also informed that in a number of cases it was possible that the students might elect to take the mid-year examination in 41a, and that if the mid-year examination in 41a was passed with high distinction the Chairman might accept the grade in 41a together with 41b in lieu of oral examination.” 6/30.

Students previously registered in the Graduate School may be exempted from this ruling.

Students offering Statistics for General Examination are strongly advised to take 1a, 41a, and 41b, or the equivalent.

Economic History:

Substitutions:

Ancient Economic History.
Economic Geography. (Hoover).

An approved course at another university.
Economics 2 in special cases. (Former graduate students, Harvard undergraduates –Danielian).
Economics S20 allowed for Hoffman, Ross, Gabine. (5th. field).

5th Field:

“Economics S20 in Economic History under Professor Usher will be accepted for course credit and men will not be required to stand for oral examination. This does not serve as a precedent, but in these cases (Hoffman, Ross, Gabine – SS30) the work of each man was carefully outlined with Professor Usher and the amount of work required was in excess of the amount of work required in Economics 25.” 6/30

“In the case of a candidate for the Ph.D. who is a graduate of Harvard College, electing to meet the requirements of the field by the substitution of a course taken as an undergraduate the Department voted that the acceptable grade should be A.” (Abbott).

Outside field:

The Chairman suggested that men electing American History since 1789 be encouraged to present History 13 under Professor Baxter’s direction in lieu of standing for oral examination in this field and the Department authorised the Chairman to follow out this suggestion. The Department also authorised the Chairman to encourage men to meet the outside field requirement by the substitution of a distinction grade in an approved course.” 4/29.

“In the Division meeting of April 23 the representatives of the Department of Government discussed the requirements in the field of Political Theory as an outside field for the Ph.D. candidates in History and Economics. It was the opinion of Professor McIlwain, in which the other members of the Department of Government concurred, that the requirements should be that in general the candidate should be familiar at least in outline with the general field of Political Theory and should emphasise in detail one part of the field.” 4/29

“It was moved by the Department that “only graduate courses be accepted as approved, excepting by vote”, and it was moved that the Department accept Professor McIlwain’s list of approved courses in History. Following these votes, it is the intention of the Department that particular courses – Government, Mathematics, Philosophy, etc. – be reported to the Department for discussion and decision. 10/28.

Wisniewski. It was voted that Wisniewski’s requirement in Economic History was met by his work at Warsaw, and he is permitted to present Mathematics as one of his six fields. 4/30.

Special fields allowed:

Mathematics – Wisniewski, Seabury.
Government Control of Industry – Baker.
Railroads – Baker.
Marketing _ Davisson.
History of Ancient Philosophy – Gilbert
Corporation Finance – Smith, Lawrence.
Accounting – Tebbutt, Frickey, Hunt, Manly.
Public Utilities – Bernstein, James.
History 23b – Davis, I.G.
History of Japan – Shoemaker
History of Science – Wright.
Industrial History – Ellis.

Tebutt allowed to offer both Acct. and Stat. 3/10/31.

Special field:

“A candidate for the Ph.D. may present Economic Theory and three other fields in Economics with one outside field for his General Examinations, and take his special subject in Economic Theory. The Department voted that excepting in most unusual circumstances this would not be permissible in any other field than Theory.” 10/29.

20 Courses:

In an approved case a 20 course may be offered for course credit for the fifth field, or may be used to supplement a course taken at another institution to be offered for course credit, or may be used to supplement a Summer School course to be offered for course credit(Ex. Lamb).

Economics S20 may with permission be taken for a full course credit.

Economics S20 in Economic History under Professor Usher has in special cases, which are not to be considered as establishing precedent, been allowed to stand for course credit in the fifth field, thereby completing the Economic History requirement. (Hoffman, Ross, Gabine).

Economics S20 may with special permission be taken in absentia. (Goldstein).

There is an understanding with Dean Chase that the grade may not be returned until after the General Examinations if the instructor so wishes.

Language Examinations:

“It was moved that the tests might be taken separately for the Ph.D. degree”. 4/30.

Examinations for the degree may be taken in absentia. (Reddick)

Language Requirements:

“The petition of A. G. Peterson that he be allowed to substitute Scandinavian or Spanish for French or German was discussed. Finally it was voted that our present requirements must be maintained. There was general agreement with the position of Professor Taussig that French and German were indispensable tools and that vocational needs should not be taken into account.

The Chairman was instructed to discuss with Dean Chase the following possibility, that in lieu of a reading knowledge of both French and German a candidate might present a reading knowledge of a third language and an elementary knowledge of either French or German.” 4/30.

A.M. degree:

“In particular cases we find it desirable to suggest research work to certain men in their first year. but the Department deems it inadvisable to require research work as a part of the Master’s program………….regard the new Master’s degree as essentially a teacher’s degree.” 2/29.

Didzun. “The Division voted that one Didzun, candidate for the Master’s degree through the accumulation of Summer School courses through 1927 be allowed to take his Master’s degree under the old conditions.” 11/29.

Jones and Taylor. “Two graduate students – W. H. Jones and R. Taylor – were sent here this year by the Ministry of Agriculture of Great Britain. Both the Ministry of Agriculture and the two students were under the impression that the A.M. degree could be secured under the old conditions. After considerable discussion it was moved by Professor Gay that the Department recommend to the Graduate School that the degree should be awarded to these two men under the old conditions. This motion was seconded and passed.” 10/30.

“The practice of the Administrative Board of the Graduate School is to require that grades of B minus be offset by grades of B plus or higher. They do not necessarily refuse to recommend for the degree in all cases where this requirement is not met, but consider all records which do not meet the requirement as special cases.”
(C.H. Moore. 2/28/30).

Ph.D. in Business Economics.

“It was voted that a candidate for the Ph.D. in Business Economics should be allowed to present for his Generals four subjects and should be permitted to meet requirements for the fifth subject by presenting a satisfactory grade in an approved course. This should be discussed with the Business School.”  10/29.

(Precedent established by D. Leighton 10/11/28).

General Examination – Procedure.

“In the course of discussing the procedure of the committees in Ph.D. General Examinations it was voted that the Chairman of a Committee was expected to take part in the examination unless he notified the Chairman of the Division to the contrary, in which case the Chairman should appoint a fifth member.” 10/29.

[in pencil added] Man is excused from final course examinations in courses relating to fields in which he offers for Generals in cases where Generals come in April, May.

  Thesis and Special Examination.

[this paragraph apparently crossed out and an asterisk penciled in before it] “There is no precedent covering a case where the dissenting member of the original committee refuses to accede to the proposal to add a fourth member to the committee. The Chairman of the Division rules that in such a case a fourth member may be added and that his vote may be final. If he favours accepting the thesis the three who favour acceptance may sign the certificate and the candidate will be admitted to his final examination.” (Professor T. N. Carver, 5/30)

“At a meeting of the Division on April 14, 1925, Professor Taussig reported that Chu Hsiao, a third year graduate student, had been prevented by sudden and heavy calls on his time in aid of another student from China from completing his thesis by April 1. It appeared also that he would be compelled by the same occurrence to go to China at once and could not return to the United States for an indefinite period. On motion it was voted that in view of the excellence of Hsiao’s work as shown by his record in the courses taken, and also of his having passed the General Examination with high credit he be permitted after the completion and acceptance of his thesis to take the examination in his special field in writing at such time and place and under such conditions as shall be provided by the Chairman of the Division and the Chairman of the Division Committee on Higher Degrees.” 4/14/25.

Final Course Examinations.

The candidate is excused from final course examinations in courses relating to fields which he offers for the General Examinations in cases where the Generals are taken after April 1.

*In this understanding with Usher it was specified that the readings should last for ten to twelve weeks if it was to count for a full course. In each case Usher gave an examination so that all conditions were fulfilled.

Additional Rulings – (Voted in the Division meeting, Nov., 1930).

*Ph.D. theses shall be read by two members of the Division and in case of disagreement by a third member of the Division whose decision shall be final.

A thesis rejected for the Ph.D. may not be resubmitted in revised form without the approval of two members of the original committee.

Professor Bullock moved that the Chairman of the Division with the three department chairmen form a committee to approve plans of study.

__________________

 The candidate f0r the Master’s degree shall be required to present either Economic History or Statistics in addition to Economic Theory.

__________________

It was voted that properly qualified candidates for the Ph.D. should be allowed to offer as a sixth subject in addition to Group A, some special field in Economic Theory. 5/31.

__________________

It was voted to recommend to the Division that the field Commodity Distribution and Prices be accepted for the Ph.D. 10/13/31.

__________________

Dean Mayo on December 18 ruled that we would accept the reading requirements in French and German fulfilled in other universities as sufficient for entrance, or two years study of the language either as undergraduate or graduate. 12/18/31.

__________________

For entrance into the Graduate School – 2 years of French or German, one year of which is a reasonably advanced course.

__________________

On May 19, 1931 the Faculty voted: “That beginning with the academic year 1932-33 candidates for admission to the Graduate School be required to show a reading knowledge of either French or German, unless on the recommendation of a Division or Department this requirement be waived for men whose exceptional fitness for work in their special fields is clear.”

SOURCE:  HARVARD UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES.
UAV 349.11 Box 13. Department of Economics/1930-1961 and some earlier/General Exams to Haberler
Graduate Degree Requirements.

Categories
Harvard

Harvard Economics. Requirements for Graduate Degrees, 1934-35

This edition of degree requirements at Harvard includes lists of the fields under Groups A, B, and C.

_______________________

1934 – 1935

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Department of Economics

Requirements for Graduate Degrees:  The more important regulations regarding graduate degrees are stated below.

I. General Information for Candidates for the A.M. and Ph.D. degrees

A. Programs of study

1. The program of study for the A.M. and Ph.D. degrees must form a consistent plan of work pursued with some definite aim. It should be submitted to Professor Burbank, Chairman of the Department of Economics, 41 Holyoke House, for approval early in the year.

2. The fields of study are to be chosen from the following:

 

GROUP A.

a. Economic Theory and its History, with special reference to the Development of Economic Thought since 1776.

b. Economic History since 1750, or some other approved field in Economic History

c. Statistical Method and its Application

GROUP B.

d. Money and Banking

e. Economic Fluctuations and Forecasting

e.2 Industrial Organization and Control

f. Public Utilities (including Transportation)

g. Economics of Corporations

h. International Trade and Tariff Policies

i. Economics of Agriculture

j. Labor Problems

k. Socialism.and Social Reform

l. Public Finance

m. Economic History before 1750

n. Commodity Distribution and Prices

o. Economics of Public Utilities

p.2 Mathematical Economics

GROUP C.

p. Any of the historical fields from Group A or B, defined under the requirements for the Ph.D. in History.  [See Division Pamphlet.]

q. Comparative Modern Government

r. American Government and Constitutional Law

s. Municipal Government

t. Jurisprudence (Selected topics)

u. Philosophy (Selected topics)

v. Anthropology

w. History of Political Theory

x. International Law

y. Sociology [Certain fields — see Sociology Pamphlet]

z. Economics of Forestry

B. Applications for degrees

Candidates for degrees must apply to the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 24 University Hall, by December 1, for the degree at Midyears; or by January 15, for the degree at Commencement.

II. Special requirements for the A.M.

A. Residence.

The candidate must take one full year of advanced work at Harvard — four courses with a grade of B or higher in each. These courses may be taken in one year or over a period of years. (See new requirement on page 5)

B. Languages.

An ELEMENTARY knowledge of French and German, and a READING knowledge of the other language is required. This requirement may be met as follows:

1. For the READING knowledge, by a passing grade in the written examinations given by the Department early in November and March.

2. For the ELEMENTARY  knowledge, by one of the following methods:

(a) a passing grade in an elementary course at Harvard or some other institution

(b) a passing grade in an undergraduate examination at Harvard, which is given three times a year —

French:   September 22; January 7; April 22.
German: September 22; January 8; April 23.

(b) a passing grade in the written examinations given by the Department early in November and March; or

This requirement may be met at any time prior to application for the Master’s degree.

C. General Examination.

The candidate must pass an oral examination on FOUR fields of study, to be selected from those listed above according to the following distribution:

1. TWO from Group A, including Economic Theory.

2. TWO from Groups A, B, or C (not more than ONE to be selected from Group C).

The fields are covered only in part by formal course instruction. Supplementary reading must be undertaken to meet the requirements.

Preparation for this examination normally requires TWO full years of study. A student is advised not to stand for examination until he feels thoroughly prepared.

With Professor Burbank’s consent, a student may offer THREE fields of study for the Oral Examination, substituting a pro-seminar course for the fourth field.

When the General Examination is passed in the Spring, the candidate is excused with credit from the final course examination in courses relating to fields offered for the General Examination.

In judging the candidate’s fitness for the degree, regard will be had for the general grasp and maturity shown, as well as for the range and accuracy of his knowledge of the special subjects examined.

To secure a date for the General Examination, candidates must make arrangements with the Secretary in the Division Office, 15 Little Hall, before April 1.

III. Special requirements for the Ph.D. degree

A. Residence.

The candidate must take two years of advanced work — eight courses  — with grades of B or higher in each. (See new requirements on page 5.) One year, or four courses, must be taken at Harvard. Credit for work done at another institution may be substituted for the other year’s work, with Professor Burbank’s approval.

B. Languages.

The candidate must present a READING knowledge of both French and German. This requirement is satisfied ONLY by passing the Department written examination which is given early in November and March. It must be met SIX months before the Special Examination. Examinations in the two languages need not be taken at the same time.

At the time of the Special Examination, the candidate must show an acquaintance with the literature in their special fields in two modern languages other than English, ordinarily French and German.

C. Fields of Study.

The candidate must present SIX fields of study to be selected from the groups listed above according to the following distribution:

1. The THREE fields in Group A are required unless a candidate can show that he has done sufficient advanced work in Economic History or in Statistics to warrant his substituting a field from Group B or Group C.

2. The remaining THREE fields may be selected from Group B and Group C — though not more than ONE field may be taken from Group C.

Evidence of a knowledge of the SIX fields is shown as follows:

1. General Examination

FOUR fields, including Economic Theory, are presented at an oral examination. [For details regarding this examination, refer to the notes under C. of the requirements for the A.M. degree.]

2. “Fifth Field”

The requirement regarding the “fifth field” may be met by presenting work of distinguished quality in an approved course at Harvard.

3. Special Field.

The candidate meets the requirements of the sixth field by standing for oral examination and presenting a thesis which normally lies within the field examined. Ordinarily this field is chosen from Groups A or B. By special arrangements the same subject may be offered for the General and Special Examinations. However, this program is unusual, and arrangements must be made with the Chairman of the Department. In this case, the candidate must show evidence of a thorough knowledge of another field, which might have been offered for examination.

a. Candidates for the degree at Midyears would arrange for their Special Examinations on or before December 1 in the Division Office, 15 Little Hall; for the degree at Commencement, on or before April 1.

b. Two copies of the thesis must be in the hands of the Chairman of the Division, 15 Little Hall, by January 3 for the degree at Midyears, and by April 1 for the degree at Commencement.

The thesis must be accepted before the candidate may be admitted for the Special Examination. It must show an original treatment of the subject and give evidence of independent research. It must be in good literary form, suitable for publication. Except by special permission from the Chairman of the Division, all theses must be in typewritten or printed form.

Every thesis must be accompanied by a summary not exceeding 1200 words in length, which shall indicate as clearly as possible the methods, material, and results of the investigations. Each summary must be approved by the Division Committee as adequate and in suitable form for publication. These summaries are printed by the University in an annual volume.

At least SIX months must elapse between the General and Special Examinations.

Candidates for the Ph.D. must plan on no less than THREE full years of advanced study, and it is only a student with superior training and no outside demands on his time who can attain his degree in that time.

IMPORTANT NOTE: After September 1, 1934, candidates for the Ph.D. are required to show evidence, in some section of their graduate work, of high distinction — “A” — in formal course instruction, General or Special Examinations, or Dissertation.

Business Economics: For the degree in Business Economics, consult the Division pamphlet.

Miss Stone in 41 Holyoke House will be glad to answer any questions arising in connection with these regulations.

 

SOURCE:  HARVARD UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES.
UAV 349.11 Box 13. Department of Economics/1930-1961 and some earlier/General Exams to Haberler
Graduate Degree Requirements.

Categories
Harvard

Harvard Economics Enrollments, 1916/17-1936/37

The link takes you to a table that merges information from two tables with information on undergraduate and graduate enrollments in history, government and economics as well as total expenditure in economics with number of part-time and full-time staff.

Harvard Enrollment Table, 1916/17-1936/37

SOURCE: Harvard University Archives.

UAV 349.11, Box 8: Department of Economics/Correspondence and Papers/1930-1961 and some earlier/Course Elections-Currie

Folder: Course elections and course figures

Categories
Harvard Regulations

Harvard, Economics. Information regarding degrees, 1935-36

HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Department of Economics
Information regarding Graduate Degrees

1935 – 1936

I. General information for candidates for the A.M. and Ph.D.

The program of study for the A.M. and Ph.D. degrees must form a consistent plan of work pursued with some definite aim. It should be submitted to Professor Burbank, Chairman of the Department of Economics (41 Holyoke House) for approval in the first year of study.

Candidates for degrees must apply to the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 24 University Hall, by December 1, for the degree at Midyears; and by January 15, for the degree at Commencement.

 

II. Special requirements for the A.M.

A. Residence.

The candidate must take one full year of advanced work at Harvard — four courses with a grade of B or higher in each. These courses may be taken in one year or over a period of years.

B. Languages.

An Elementary knowledge of French and German, and a Reading knowledge of the other language is required. This requirement may be met as follows:

1. Reading knowledge: a passing grade in the written examinations given by the Department early in November and March.

2. Elementary knowledge: (a) a passing grade in an elementary course at Harvard or some other institution; (b) a passing grade in the written examinations given by the Department early in November and March; or (c) a passing grade in an undergraduate examination at Harvard, which is given as follows:

French:   September 21; January 6; April 21.
German: September 21; January 7; April 22.

This requirement may be met at any time prior to application for the Master’s degree.

C. General Examination.

The candidate must pass an oral examination on FOUR fields of study, to be selected from those listed in the Division Pamphlet [NOTE: The fields are listed in the 1934-35 regulations], distributed as follows:

1. TWO selected from Group A, including Economic Theory.

2. TWO selected from Groups A, B, or C (not more than ONE from Group C).

The fields are covered only in part by formal course instruction. Supplementary reading must be undertaken to meet the requirements.

Preparation for the examination normally requires TWO full years of study. A student is advised not to stand for examination until he feels thoroughly prepared.

With Professor Burbank’s consent, a student may offer THREE fields of study for the Oral Examination, substituting a pro-seminar course for the fourth field [Economics 15b, 18, 22, 24,  or 33].

When the General Examination is passed in the Spring, the candidate is excused with credit from the final course examination in courses relating to fields offered for the General Examination.

In judging the candidate’s fitness for the degree, regard will be had for the general grasp and maturity shown, as well as for the range and accuracy of his knowledge of the special subjects examined.

To secure a date for the General Examination, candidates must make arrangements with the Secretary in the Division Office, 15 Little Hall, before April 1.

 

III. Special requirements for the Ph.D.

A. Residence.

The candidate must take two years of advanced work — eight courses  — with grades of B or higher in each. One year, or four courses, must be taken at Harvard. Credit for work done at another institution may be substituted for the other year’s work, with Professor Burbank’s approval.

Candidates for the Ph.D. entering the Graduate School after September 1, 1935 are required to show evidence, in some section of the graduate work, of high distinction [“A”] in formal course instruction, General or Special Examinations, or Dissertation.

B. Languages.

The candidate must present a Reading knowledge of both French and German. This requirement is satisfied ONLY by passing the Department written examination which is given early in November and March. It must be met SIX months before the Special Examination. Examinations in the two languages need not be taken at the same time.

At the time of the Special Examination, the candidate must show an acquaintance with the literature in his special field in two modern languages other than English, ordinarily French and German.

C. Fields of Study.

The candidate must present SIX fields of study to be selected from the groups listed in the Division Pamphlet [NOTE: The fields are listed in the 1934-35 regulations] according to the following distribution:

1. The THREE fields in Group A are required unless a candidate can show that he has done sufficient advance work in Economic History or in Statistics to warrant his substituting a field from Group B or Group C.

2. The remaining THREE fields may be selected from Group B and Group C — though not more than ONE field may be taken from Group C.

Evidence of a knowledge of the SIX fields is shown as follows:

1. General Examination. (See II, C.)

2. “Fifth Field”

The requirement regarding the “fifth field” may be met by presenting work of distinguished quality in an approved course at Harvard.

3. Special Field.

   The candidate meets the requirements of the sixth field by standing for oral examination and presenting a thesis which normally lies within the field examined. Ordinarily this field is chosen from Groups A or B. By special arrangements the same subject may be offered for the General and Special Examinations. However, this program is unusual, and arrangements must be made with the Chairman of the Department. In this case, the candidate must show evidence of a thorough knowledge of another field, which might have been offered for examination.

a. Candidates for the degree at Midyears would arrange for the Special Examination on or before December 1 in the Division Office, 15 Little Hall; for the degree at Commencement, on or before April 1.

b. Two copies of the thesis must be in the hands of the Chairman of the Division, 15 Little Hall, by January 3 for the degree at Midyears, and by April 1 for the degree at Commencement. [See Division Pamphlet for further information regarding the thesis].

D. General information.

At least SIX months must elapse between the General and Special Examinations.

Candidates for the Ph.D. must plan on no less than THREE full years of advanced study, and it is only a student with superior training and no outside demands on his time who can attain his degree in that time.

          Additional information may be found in the Division Pamphlet and from the Secretary in 41 Holyoke House.

 

SOURCE:  HARVARD UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES.
HUC 8522.2.1 Box 2 of 10. Syllabi, course outlines and reading lists in Economics, 1895-2003.
Folder: Syllabi, course outlines and reading lists in Economics, 1935-1936.

 

Categories
ERVM Sources

What you can expect to find here

With this blog I plan to share some of the historical raw material I have come across in my project devoted to the evolution of the undergraduate and graduate teaching of economics in the United States from the 1880s through the 1950s. Thanks to one of the inaugural research grants from the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET), I have spent significant time in the Harvard, Columbia, Chicago, and Yale archives as well as in the Hoover Institution and the Duke University Economists’ Papers Project. I do hope that the material provided here helps the academic community of historians of economics, practicing or in-training. Down the road, I also hope to attract student volunteers for a collaborative, crowdsourced project to digitalize economics course notes from generations of past economists.