History of Economic Thought
Course content
The course gives an overview of the development of economic theory from the forerunners of Adam Smith to our time. Although our main attention will be given to the major writers and to the economic issues, which were central to the development of economic theory, we shall occasionally consider also some less spectacular contributions. Much of what will be discussed are early formulations of what today is considered as standard economic theory,
Most writers in the history of economic thought emphasize that economics is a science in evolution, and that the development of economic theory has been fostered by the debate on the main economic issues in that period of time, so that concepts have been suggested, constructed, further developed, and possibly abandoned, as a responce to economic reality.
MSc programme in Economics – elective course
Bacheloruddannelsen i økonomi – valgfag på 3. år
The Danish BSc programme in Economics - elective at the 3rd year.
The course is open to:
- Exchange and Guest students from abroad
- Credit students from Danish Universities
- Open University students
After completing the course the student is expected to be able to:
Knowledge:
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Identify and give an overview over economic thinking and how economic theory has evolved over time.
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Account for the historical and theoretical preconditions for contemporary economic theory.
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Reflect on the power and coherence of economics and thereby realizing the said science’s limitations as well as strengths when working with real life issues.
Skills:
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Analyze historical texts and the process that creates economic theory.
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Assess and discuss issues in the history of economic thought based on knowledge of basic economic theory.
- Critically read and discuss selected works in the history of economic thought.
Competences:
- Complement and apply the learned knowledge and skills of economic thinking in other economics courses, papers and later on in the professionel world.
- Implement new economic solutions with a deeper and more critical approach seen in relation to the development of economic theories.
- Work with economics in a humbler, more critical and therefore safer way!
Lectures, discussions, supervision and paper writing.
We use the textbook indicated above, examples of original texts and
occasionally other viewpoints will be introduced in the
discussions. The course includes the writing of a voluntary midterm
paper, and this will give the participants a possibility for
selecting specific writers or ideas for a futher treatment on an
individual basis.
- R.B.Ekelund, R.F.Hébert: A History of Economic Theory & Method, 6th edition, Waveland Press, 2014.
To be able to participate in and understand the course's
discussion of economic thinkers' ideas and texts, it is
necessary to have followed the first two years of the Bachelor of
Economics or equivalent studies.
General knowledge about economic theory equivalent to
"Microeconomics II" and "Macroeconomics II" in
the Bachelor of Economics program, University of
Copenhagen.
Schedule:
2 hours lectures 1 to 2 times a week from week 36 to 50 (except
week 42).
Feedback will be given in connection with a voluntary written assignment during the semester.
for enrolled students: Rules etc at Master(UK), Master(DK) and Bachelor(DK)
When registered you will be signed up for exam.
- Full-degree students – sign up at Selfservice on KUnet
- Exchange and guest students from abroad – sign up through Mobility Online and Selfservice- read more through this website.
- Credit students from Danish universities - sign up through this website.
- Open University students - sign up through this website.
The dates for the exams are found here Exams – Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
Please note that it is your own responsibility to check for overlapping exam dates.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
On-site written exam, 3 hours
- Examination prerequisites
-
There are no requirements during the course that the student has to fulfill to be able to sit the exam.
- Aid
- Written aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Exam period
-
Exam information:
The examination date can be found in the exam schedule here
More information is available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester.
More information about examination, rules, aids etc. at Master(UK), Master(DK) and Bachelor(DK).
- Re-exam
-
Same as the ordinary exam.
Reexam information:
The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule here
More information is available in Digital Exam in February.
More information about examination, rules, aids etc. at Master(UK), Master(DK) and Bachelor(DK).
Criteria for exam assessment
Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.
To obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
To obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 42
- Preparation
- 144
- Exam
- 20
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- AØKA08030U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
Bachelor
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn
- Price
-
Information about admission and tuition fee: Master and Exchange Programme, credit students and guest students (Open University)
- Studyboard
- Department of Economics, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Economics
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Hans Keiding (12-4d66737833506a6e696e736c456a68747333707a336970)
Teacher
See ‘Course Coordinators’.
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Courseinformation of students