“Economic Theory and its History” was the designation of the only mandatory subject for the economics Ph.D. general examination at Harvard in the early 20th century [there were still another five elective subjects to be examined in!] so it is not surprising that this full year course taught by Charles J. Bullock actually went all the way back to Aristotle and Xenophon.
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Earlier versions of the course
by year and instructor
1899-1900. The History and Literature of Economics to the close of the Eighteenth Century. [William James Ashley]
1901-02. History and Literature of Economics, to the opening of the Nineteenth Century. [Charles Whitney Mixter]
1903-04. History and Literature of Economics to the opening of the Nineteenth Century [Charles Jesse Bullock]
1904-05. History and Literature of Economics to the year 1848. [Charles Jesse Bullock]
1905-06. History and Literature of Economics to the year 1848. [Charles Jesse Bullock]
1906-07. History and Literature of Economics to the year 1848 [Charles Jesse Bullock]
1907-08. History and Literature of Economics to the year 1848 [Charles Jesse Bullock]
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Course Enrollment
1908-09
Economics 15. Professor Bullock. — History and Literature of Economics to the year 1848.
Total 6: 6 Graduates.
Source: Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College, 1908-1909, p. 67.
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Course Announcement
1908-09
[Economics] 15. History and Literature of Economics to the year 1848. Mon., Wed., and (at the pleasure of the instructor) Fri, at 11. Professor Bullock.
The purpose of this course is to trace the development of economic thought from classical antiquity to the middle of the nineteenth century. Emphasis is placed upon the relation of economics to philosophical and political theories, as well as to political and industrial conditions.
A considerable amount of reading of prominent writers will be assigned, and opportunity given for the preparation of theses. Much of the instruction is necessarily given by means of lectures.
No undergraduates will be admitted to the course who are not candidates for honors in economics.
Source: Official Register of Harvard University, Vol. V, No. 19 (1 June 1908). History and Political Science Comprising the Departments of History and Government, and Economics, 1908-09, p. 50.
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ECONOMICS 15
THE HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF ECONOMICS
Mid-Year Examination, 1908-09
- By what processes did the western world’s stock of economic ideas grow during the period you have studied?
- Compare the economic opinions of Xenophon with those of Aristotle.
- What did the Roman Law derive from previous economic thought and what did it contribute to subsequent thought?
- What do you think of Ingram’s account of economic thought during the Middle Ages?
- Where would you look for materials relating to the economic ideas of Europe from 500 A.D. to 1100 A.D.?
- What traces of the influence of Aristotle do you find in the economic doctrines of the Schoolmen?
- Describe the progress of economic thought in Italy from 1300 A.D. to 1500 A.D.
- What opinions concerning commercial policy do you find in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries?
Source: Harvard University Archives. Harvard University. Mid-year Examinations, 1852-1943. Box 8, Bound Volume: Examination Papers, Mid-Years 1908-09.
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ECONOMICS 15
HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF ECONOMICS.
Year-end Examination, 1908-09
- Write an essay of about 1,000 words upon the progress of economic thought in England from 1500 to 1770.
- What were the elements that contributed to Smith’s system of economic thought?
- Compare briefly the development of economic thought in France from 1500 to 1770 with the development of English thought during the same period.
- What is the attitude of Schmoller and Oncken toward the mercantilists?
- What significance have the Physiocrats for the history of economic thought?
Source: Harvard University Archives. Harvard University, Examination Papers, 1873-1915. Box 8, Bound vol. Examination Papers 1908-09; Papers Set for Final Examinations in History, Government, Economics,…,Music in Harvard College (June, 1909), p. 46.
Image Source: Xenophon. From the statue of Xenophon by Hugo Haerdtl that is located on the southern entry ramp to the Austrian Parliament (Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring 3, im 1. Wiener Gemeindebezirk Innere Stadt).