Sophomore Seminar: European Economic History
HIST 163
Fall 2006 not offered
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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 post-war 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 writings skills needed for historical research. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Ethical Reasoning, Writing |
| 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) |
Major Readings:
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:
Your grade in this seminar will be calculated on the basis of four elements:
1.) 20% attendance, participation and quizzes
2.) 20% class presentation and written analytical summary
3.) 30% midterm essay
4.) 30% final essay
Attendance, participation, and periodic quizzes will make up 20% of your final grade. You are allowed two free absences; thereafter you begin to dip into this 20%. Once during the semester you will be asked to introduce a text to be discuss ed in class. This should take 10-15 minutes and be supported by a 750-word analytical summary that will be submitted to me on the day of your presentation. This presentation and summary will count 20% toward your final grade. Both the midterm and final exam will take the form of a take-home essay question that must be completed in five to seven double-spaced, typescript pages. The midterm and final essays will each make up 30% of your final grade (60% together). |
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