Two - Year Master Degree in Economics

The main aim of this course is to analyse, from an historical perspective, how economic theorizing changed from the end of the 18th century to the end of the 20th century. More precisely, how economics, being a branch of moral philosophy, became a technical social science. This course will explore the evolution of economic theorizing, the main changes in its methodology and key issues in history of economics. A special emphasis will be placed on the complex links between economic theorizing, economic events and policy measures

Students are expected to become acquainted with key methodological issues in economic theorizing and to be able to critically reexamine topics and analytical tools of economics, taking into account their historical evolution.

Lessons are taught in classroom. All materials will be promptly uploaded on moodle platform

This course is divided into four parts:

Part 1 (Prof. David Lipka - Visiting Professor) includes the historical reconstruction of paradigms and models, more specifically within the classical school, and the marginalism/neoclassical school.

Part 2 (Prof. Giandomenica Becchio) includes an introduction to economic methodology. Special attention will be given to the evolution of neoclassical methodology. Some "heterodox" approaches will also be considered. a special focus on feminist economics will be provided.

Part 3 (Prof. Giovanni Pavanelli) will focus on some specific topics such as the different interpretations of the Great Depression from the 1930's till today and the role played by value judgements in economic theorizing.

Part 4 (Prof. T. Dario Togati) will focus on different interpretations of the recent economic crisis and on the methodological foundations of current macroeconomic approach

 

Textbook: Marcel Boumans and John Davis, with contributions Mark Blaug, Harro Maas and Andrej Svorencik. (2016) Economic methodology : understanding economics as a science. 2. ed. London, New York : Macmillan education : Palgrave.

Some pdf readings will be be added by instructors during classes and uploaded on moodle platform