We saw in an earlier posting that political economy was a one-professor affair with Charles Franklin Dunbar doing virtually all the economics teaching at Harvard in 1874-75.
Over a decade later in 1888-89, Dunbar is still at it with young Frank Taussig and two junior instructors expanding the Harvard economics course offerings. It is interesting to note that “Coöperation , Socialism” are included in a list of topics that include now standard fields Money, Finance (i.e. Banking), Taxation and “Labor and Capital” (i.e., labor economics, income distribution).
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Political Economy.
[Harvard, 1888-1889]
- First half-year: Mill’s Principles of Political Economy.—Dunbar’s Chapters on Banking.
Second half-year: Division A (Theoretical): Mill’s Principles of Political Economy.—Cairnes’s Leading Principles of Political Economy. Division B (Descriptive): Topics in Money, Finance, Labor and Capital, Coöperation, Socialism and Taxation. , Wed., Fri., at 9. Asst. Professor Taussig, Messrs. Gray and F. C. Huntington.
All students in Course 1 will have the same work during the first half-year, but will be required in January to make their election between divisions A and B for the second half-year. The work in division A is required for admission to Courses 2 and 3. - History of Economic Theory.—Examination of selections from Leading Writers.—Lectures. , Wed., (at the pleasure of the Instructor), and Fri., at 2. Asst. Professor Taussig.
- [Omitted in 1888-89.] Investigation and Discussion of Practical Economic Questions.—Short theses. , Th., at 3, and a third hour to be appointed by the Instructor.
- Economic History of Europe and America since the Seven Years’ War.—Lectures and written work. , Wed., Fri., at 11. Mr. Gray.
Course 4 requires no previous study of Political Economy. - [Omitted in 1888-89.] Economic Effects of Land Tenures in England, Ireland, France, and Germany.—Lectures and theses. Half-course. Once a week.
- History of Tariff Legislation in the United States. Half-course. Tu., Th., at 2, and a third hour at the pleasure of the Instructor (second half-year). Professor Taussig.
- Taxation, Public Debts, and Banking. , Wed., Fri., at 3. Professor Dunbar.
- History of Financial Legislation in the United States. Half-course. Tu., Th., at 2, and a third hour at the pleasure of the Instructor (first half-year). Professor Dunbar.
It is recommended that Courses 6 and 8 be taken together. - Management and Ownership of Railways. Half-course. Tu., Th., at 10, and a third hour at the pleasure of the Instructor (second half-year). Gray.
As a preparation for Courses 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 it is necessary to have passed satisfactorily in Course 1.
- Special Advanced Study and Research.—In 1888-89, competent students may pursue special investigations of selected topics under the guidance of any one of the Instructors.
Course 20 is open only to graduates, to candidates for Honors in Political Science, and to Seniors of high rank who are likely to obtain Honorable Mention in Political Economy. It may be taken either as a full course or as a half-course, as may be determined by the Instructor concerned.
Source: Harvard University. Announcements of Courses of Instruction provided by the Faculty of Harvard College for the Academic Year 1888-89. Cambridge, May 1888. pp. 18-19.
Image Source: Statue of John Harvard ca. 1891, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.