Harvard. Exams for Organisation and Resources European Economies. Ripley and Meyer, 1902-1903

 

European economic geography was the subject of a year-long course co-taught in 1902-1903 by William Zebina Ripley and Hugo Richard Meyer. They took over this course from Professor William Ashley who last taught the course in 1900-01 before leaving Harvard.

Economics 17 had also been taught by William Zebina Ripley and Hugo Richard Meyer in 1901-02. The enrollment figures and exam questions for that year have been posted earlier.

Biographical information for Professor William Z. Ripley  posted as well. Economics in the Rear-view Mirror has also posted some life and career information for Hugo Richard Meyer.

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Economics 17
Course Description
1902-1903

17. *The Economic Organization and Resources of European Countries. , Th., and (at the pleasure of the instructor) Sat., at 12. Professor [William Zebina] Ripley and Mr. [Hugo Richard] Meyer.

This course in Descriptive Economies is intended to afford a comprehensive survey of the commercial and industrial status of the leading countries of Europe at the present time. It will involve a comparison of actual economic conditions in Great Britain and Ireland, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia and Italy; in respect of agriculture, manufacturing industry, and commerce. Particular attention will be devoted throughout to the use and analysis of original sources of information. Ability to read simple French and German, while not required, is highly desirable.

In the first term will be considered in order: the physical geography and natural resources of each country as determined by soil, climate, and other circumstances; the distribution of population as affecting both the character and supply of labor, and the demand for food-stuffs and raw materials; the condition of agricultural and mining industry, with an account of governmental policies respecting the stimulation and control of private enterprise; and the principal trade routes and means of transportation, both within Europe and between European and foreign countries.

The work of the second term will deal with the geographical distribution, the character and the comparative development of manufacturing industry, such as iron and steel, cotton and other textiles, etc.; the investment of capital and the forms of business organization; and finally the reciprocal or conflicting interests of the several countries, and the attempts which have been made, or are now proposed, to remove or mitigate trade antagonism by means of customs tariffs, subsidies, commercial treaties, etc. The trade interests of the United States will be considered particularly with reference to these last topics, as, for instance, in the matter of reciprocity treaties.

Source: Harvard University. Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Division of History and Political Science[Comprising the Departments of History and Government and Economics], 1902-03. Published in The University Publications, New Series, no. 55. June 14, 1902.

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Economics 17
Course Enrollment
1902-1903

Economics 17. Professor Ripley and Mr. Meyer. — The Economic Organization and Resources of European Countries.

Total 9: 2 Gr., 2 Se., 3 Ju., 1 So., 1 Other.

Source: Harvard University. Annual Report of the President of Harvard College, 1902-03, p. 68.

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Economics 17
Mid-Year Examination
1902-1903

1. The intervention of the State in the affairs of men, and the conflict of sectional or class interests, as illustrated by:—
   1. The working of protection to agriculture in Germany.
   2. The transportation situation in Russia.
2. What are the principal factors that have determined the efficiency with which the land is cultivated:
   1. In Germany?
   2. In England?
3. Comment upon the subjoined data:—

Yield in kg. pro ha.
	Russia in Europe	Germany	United States
Wheat	726	1700	875
Rye	681	1470	875
Oats	665	1520	1150
Aggregate of agricultural produce obtained per head of farming population	450 kg.	1000 kg.	2000 kg.

4. Arrange the five countries: Germany, Russia, England, Italy, and France, in the order of the standard of life of their inhabitants; and indicate briefly for each country the principal factors determining the standard of life.
5. The several standards of life of the agricultural classes of Belgium.
6. Contrast the condition of the settler in Siberia with the condition of the farmer in Dakota, and explain the differences of condition.
7. Writers upon the agricultural depression in Great Britain frequently cite the British imports of poultry, eggs, butter, cheese, milk, and vegetables, for proof of the contention that British farming practices could be materially improved. Give your reasons for accepting or rejecting that argument.

Source: Harvard University Archives. Mid-year Examinations 1852-1943. Box 6. Papers (in the bound volume Examination Papers Mid-years 1902-1903).

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Economics 17
Year-End Examination
1902-1903

1. What are the relative proportions of the different countries in the world’s manufactures of cotton? How do these differ in the relative importance of exports of cotton cloth?
2. Describe the location and geographical advantages of the English cotton manufacture.
3. What is the present condition of the German iron and steel industry?
4. How does speculation in “tops” differ from grain “futures” in this country? Contrast the two systems.
5. What is the main feature of the Smith combination movement in England?
6. What are three main features of the present German law regulating corporations?
7. Outline the recent tariff struggle in the German Parliament. What is the law which has resulted?
8. What is Imperial Federation? Can it be effected in conjunction with a Free Trade policy?
9. Is the combined effect of recent commercial tendencies in Europe, of importance as affecting the policy of the United States?

Source: Harvard University Archives. Examination Papers 1873-1915. Box 6. Papers Set for Final Examinations in History, Government, Economics, History of Religions, Philosophy, Education, Fine Arts, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Music in Harvard College, June 1903 (in the bound volume Examination Papers 1902-1903).

Image Source: Harvard University Archives.  William Zebina Ripley [photographic portrait, ca. 1910], J. E. Purdy & Co., J. E. P. & C. (1910). Colorized by Economics in the Rear-view Mirror.