Harvard. Comparative Land Tenure Systems, Final Exam. Laughlin, 1884

 

1883-84 brought a significant expansion in economics course offerings at Harvard. Cf. Report published in the Harvard Crimson and the report published in the New York Evening Post.

1. 1. Mill’s Principles of Political Economy. – Lectures on Banking and the Financial Legislation of the United States. Mon., Wed., Fri., at 9. Prof. Dunbar and Asst. Prof. Laughlin.

1. 2. History of Economic Theory and a Critical Examination of Leading Writers. – Lectures. Mon., Wed. at 2 and (at the pleasure of the instructor) Fri. at 2. Prof. Dunbar.

1. 3. Discussion of Practical Economic Questions. – Theses, Tu., Th., at 3, and a third hour to be appointed by the instructor. Assistant Professor Laughlin.

1. 4. Economic History of Europe and America since the Seven Years’ War. – Lectures. Mon., Wed., Fri., at 11. Professor Dunbar.
      Course 4 requires no previous study of Political Economy.

1. 5. Economic Effects of Land Tenures in England, Ireland, France and Germany. – Theses. Once a week, counting as a half course. Asst. Professor Laughlin.

1. 6. History of Tariff Legislation in the United States. – Once a week, counting as a half course. Mr. Taussig.

1. 7. Comparison of the Financial Systems of France, England, Germany and the United States. – Tu., at 2, counting as a half course. Professor Dunbar.

Note-to-self: still need to find the mid-year exam for this course.

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Course Enrollment

[Political Economy] 5. Prof. Laughlin. Economic Effects of Land Tenures in England, Ireland, France, and Germany.— Lectures and Theses.

Total 5: 1 Graduate, 3 Seniors, 1 Junior.

Source: Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College, 1883-84, p. 72.

 

POLITICAL ECONOMY 5
[Final Examination, June 1884]

1. What are your conclusions as to the effect of land tenures in England and France upon (1) production, and (2) distribution?
2. Compare the increase of population in England, France, and Ireland, and indicate what you think to be the chief causes controlling such increase in each country.
3. How far does the Agricultural Holdings Act of 1883 interfere with freedom of contract? What is the present position of English legislation in regard to entailed estates?
4. It has been stated that the abolition of the Corn Laws by Great Britain would not injure the farmer, but would lower the rent of the landlord. Has this proved true? What are the facts as to changes in agriculture and the amount of rent?
5. It is said that capital Is more equally distributed in France than in Great Britain. How would you account for it?
6. Which classes in England and France are the greatest buyers of land? What differences do these facts create in respect to production from land?
7. Contrast briefly the processes by which out of past conditions France, Germany, and Ireland have reached their present systems of holdings.
8. Compare the security of tenure to the tenant in England and Ireland. Is it possible to extend the comparison to France?
9. Discuss the origin and workings of Tenant Right in Ireland. What legislation has been passed affecting it?
10. Compare the class of agricultural laborers in England and Ireland with the corresponding class in France.

Source: Harvard University Archives. Harvard University, Examination Papers, 1873-1915. Box 2, Bound volume “Examination Papers, 1883-86”. Papers Set for Final Examinations in Rhetoric, Philosophy, Political Economy, History, Roman Law, Fine Arts, and Music in Harvard College (June, 1884), pp. 11-12.

Image Source: Portrait (1885-88) of James Lawrence Laughlin. Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Transfer from the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts.