In the artifacts posted here we see how student demand for a course on Marxian economics at Harvard that had been dropped for the academic year 1938-39 resulted in the course being offered.
Three of the undersigned went on to receive Ph.D.’s in economics at Harvard:
- Alexander, Sidney Stuart.D. 1946. Financial structure of American corporations since 1900.
- Carlson, Reynold Erland.D. 1946. Block grants and central-local financial relations in Great Britain.
- Vandermeulen, Daniel Carlson.D. 1947. Dissertation: Technological change in the paper industry—the introduction of the sulphate process.
A draft outline of the course exists in Wassily Leontief’s papers and has been transcribed at Economics in the Rear-View Mirror.
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[Economics 117 Course Listing 1st edition, 1938-39]
[Economics 117 1hf. Karl Marx]
Half-course (first half-year). Mon., 4 to 6. Asst. Professor Leontief.
Omitted in 1938-39.
Source: Announcement of the Courses of Instruction offered by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences during 1938-39 (1st edition, p. 150.
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[Student petition to “unbracket” Economics 117]
[typed] We, the undersigned, observe that Economics 117 is bracketed in the Course Catalogue for 1938-39, and we understand that the reason for this is the very small election that the course has received in past years. We should like to signify our desire to take Economics 117 next year, and we hope that this indication of a sizable demand will induce the competent authorities to reconsider the advisability of offering the course in the year 1938-39.
[signed] S. S. Alexander
[signed] D. C. Vandermeulen
[signed] Wm. Glazier
[signed] David Feller
[signed] R. E. Carlson
[signed] John D. Wilson
Source: Harvard University Archives. Department of Economics. Correspondence & Papers 1902-1950 (UAV.349.10). Box 23, Folder “Course Offerings 1937-39-42”
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[Economics 117 Course Listing 2nd edition, 1938-39]
Economics 117 1hf. Karl Marx
Half-course (first half-year). Mon., 4 to 6. Asst. Professor Leontief and Dr. P. M. Sweezy.
Source: Announcement of the Courses of Instruction offered by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences during 1938-39 (2nd edition). Official Register of Harvard University, Vol. 35, No. 42 (September 23, 1938), p. 150.
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[Economics 19 Course Enrollment, 1935-36]
[Economics] 19 1hf. Associate Professor Mason and Asst. Professor Leontief. –Karl Marx.
1 Radcliffe, 35 auditors. Total 36.
Source: Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College and Reports of Departments for 1935-36, p. 83.
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[Economics 117 Course Enrollment, 1936-37]
[Economics] 19 1hf. Associate Professor Mason and Asst. Professor Leontief. –Karl Marx.
1 Graduate, 1 Senior. Total 2.
Source: Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College and Reports of Departments for 1936-37, p. 93.
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[Economics 117 not offered 1937-38]
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[Economics 117 Course Enrollment, 1938-39]
[Economics] 117 1hf. Asst. Professor Leontief and Dr. P. M. Sweezy. –Karl Marx.
4 Graduates, 4 Seniors. Total 8.
Source: Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College and Reports of Departments for 1938-39, p. 99.
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[Economics 117 not offered 1939-40]
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