Sophomore Seminar: European Economic History
HIST 163
Fall 2008
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01
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This sophomore seminar analyzes the processes of European commercialization and industrialization from the early 18th to the end of the 20th century. We will begin by studying the gradual transition from a predominantly rural-agricultural to an urban-industrial economy, looking closely at the role of technology and enterprise in various phases of the Industrial Revolution. The impact of speculative financial bubbles, empire, depression, war, and the process of postwar reconstruction and economic integration will be studied in the second half of the course. While a basic knowledge of economics will be helpful, it is not a necessary prerequisite for this seminar, as the course aims to be accessible, broad, and comparative, with the European economy studied as an evolving human institution. We will draw insights from many fields to consider the geographical, cultural, institutional, political, and social factors shaping economic processes over time. A number of different European countries will be discussed, but focus will be on Great Britain, Germany, and France. The United States, Japan, and China will be studied in comparison and in the context of certain industries. The objectives of this seminar are to give a firm grounding in the processes that have shaped the modern European and world economy since the 18th century and to develop the critical, analytical, and writing skills needed for historical research. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Interpretation, Writing
This seminar develops the skills of both qualitative and quantitative historical analysis and interpretation. Numerous writing assignments will be given and the course culminates in a longer research paper.
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS HIST |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (HIST-MN)(HIST) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Francois Crouzet, A HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMY (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2001).
David S. Landes, THE UNBOUND PROMETHEUS: TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN WESTERN EUROPE FROM 1750 TO THE PRESENT (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1969).
Thomas K. McCraw, ed. CREATING MODERN CAPITALISM. HOW ENTREPRENEURS, COMPANIES, AND COUNTRIES TRIUMPHED IN THREE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTIONS (Cambridge, Mass and London: Harvard University Press, 1997).
Joel Mokyr, THE LEVER OF RICHES: TECHNOLOGICAL CREATIVITY AND ECONOMIC PROG RESS (New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990).
Kenneth Pomeranz, THE GREAT DIVERGENCE: EUROPE, CHINA, AND THE MAKING OF THE WORLD ECONOMY (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2000).
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Examinations and Assignments:
Attendance and participation: 10%
Short paper (max. 5 pages): 10%
Midterm exam: 20%
Seminar presentation: 10%
Research prospectus: 20%
Final research paper (max. 12 pages): 30% |
| Instructor(s): Grimmer-Solem,Erik Times: ...W... 01:10PM-04:00PM; Location: BTFDC312; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: 0 | JR major: 0 | | |
| Seats Available: 9 | GRAD: 0 | SR non-major: 0 | JR non-major: 0 | SO: 19 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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