Course Description

Course Name

History of Economic Thought

Session: VCPF3125

Hours & Credits

18 Host University Units

Prerequisites & Language Level

ECO1010F/S/H/X Microeconomics and ECO1011F/S Macroeconomics; either ECO2003F Microeconomics II and ECO2004S Macroeconomics II (recommended) or two 2nd year level courses in either Philosophy, Politics or History.

Taught In English

  • There is no language prerequisite for courses at this language level.

Overview

This course provides an overview of the historical development of economic thought and thereby places the theory learned in mainstream economics courses within a broader perspective. It consists of a sampling of the theories of prominent individual economic thinkers as well as schools of economic thought. Topics include the
following: a brief review of pre-modern economic thought; Mercantilism; Physiocracy; the classical political economy of Smith, Malthus and Ricardo; socialist economic thought and Marx; utilitarianism, marginalism and the rise of neoclassical economics; the German historical school: Keynes and Keynesian economics; and an
introduction of heterodox schools of thought, such as evolutionary, institutionalist, post-modern and ecological approaches.

DP requirements: All class tests and assignments/essays/projects to be completed. A weighted average mark
of 40% for tests, tutorials, essays and assignments. Only students who have obtained DP certificates may write the final examination.

Assessment: Classwork (tests, tutorials and assignments/essays/projects) 40% June examination 60%. The course outline will detail the breakdown for submission weightings and variation for exemptions and absences.

*Course content subject to change