Requirements: This course aims to provide students with an introduction to interesting current debates in economic history by studying a curated list of recent books in the field.
We will undertake a critical reading of these books, focusing on both their strengths and weaknesses, while paying attention to the context—both historical and intellectual—of the books' arguments.
General questions will include the following:
- Does the topic justify a book-length treatment?
- Does the author successfully sustain his/her argument throughout the book?
- What is the role of books, as opposed to articles, in research in economic history (and in economics more generally)?
Supplementary readings will be provided as appropriate to focus this last question.
Many sessions will be student-led: students will take (some) responsibility for presenting the author’s argument and stimulating classroom discussion.
Requirements for the course are three. Grades for the semester will attach equal weights to the three components:
- Doing the readings, attending meetings and participating in class discussions.
- Leading an appropriate share of class meeting devoted to a book
- Submitting a 15-page memo at the end of the semester describing the literature about from one to three potential questions for a possible large future research project.