From the distribution of grades for graduate economics examinations from the academic year 1971-72 at Harvard we see that the range from Good-minus through Good-plus covered the majority of grades awarded at that time…except for economic history. Gerschenkron fought grade inflation his way (zero grades of “excellent”), stingy award of grades of “good”). Economic history now sits in a n.e.c. (not elsewhere classified) requirement to get a Harvard Ph.D. in economics (a course in economic history or political economy or behavioral economics).
Previous posts dealing with economics Ph.D. requirements fifty-some years ago:
Harvard. Report on the General Examination for an Economics PhD, 1970
____________________________
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Department of Economics
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
December 12, 1972
To: All Professors in the Department of Economics
From: Nancy Frolkis, Graduate Secretary
The tabulation of examination results for the academic year 1971-72 has been completed. We have enclosed a copy since we thought it would be of interest to you.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
EXAM RECORDS
September 1971-September 1972
Written Theory Examination |
|
| Excellent |
2 |
| Excellent Minus |
2 |
| Good Plus |
6 |
| Good |
16 |
| Good Minus |
7 |
| Fair Plus |
2 |
| Fair |
6 |
| Fair Minus |
6 |
| Fail |
3 |
|
TOTAL |
50 |
Quantitative Methods Examination |
|
| Pass |
5 |
| Fail |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
6 |
Oral History Examination |
|
| Excellent |
0 |
| Excellent Minus |
0 |
| Good Plus |
0 |
| Good |
3 |
| Good Minus |
1 |
| Fair Plus |
0 |
| Fair |
5 |
| Fair Minus |
1 |
| Fail |
3 |
|
TOTAL |
13 |
General Oral Examination |
|
| Excellent |
1 |
| Excellent Minus |
1 |
| Good Plus |
5 |
| Good |
10 |
| Good/Good Minus |
1 |
| Good Minus |
13 |
| Fair Plus |
10 |
| Fair |
2 |
| Fair Minus |
2 |
| Fail |
1 |
| TOTAL |
46 |
Thesis Grades |
|
| Excellent |
2 |
| Excellent Minus |
6 |
| Good Plus |
6 |
| Good |
6 |
| Good Minus |
5 |
| Fair Plus |
4 |
| Fair |
2 |
| Fair Minus |
0 |
| Fail |
0 |
| Not yet graded |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
32 |
Special Examination |
|
| Excellent |
2 |
| Excellent Minus |
5 |
| Good Plus |
7 |
| Good |
7 |
| Good Minus |
7 |
| Fair Plus |
3 |
| Fair |
1 |
| Fair Minus |
0 |
| Fail |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
32 |
Comparison between Thesis
|
|
| Same grade for exam and thesis |
13 |
| Exam ½ grade higher than thesis |
6 |
| Exam ½ grade lower than thesis |
9 |
| Exam 1 full grade higher than thesis |
2 |
| Exam 1 full grade lower than thesis |
1 |
| Unknown (thesis not graded) |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
32 |
Source: Harvard University Archives. Papers of Alexander Gerschenkron, Box 3, Folder: “Economics (General) 1972/73”.