Charles Jesse Bullock taught history of economics and public finance at Harvard during the first third of the twentieth century. This posting contains the course announcement for 1914-15, enrollment figures, and the final examination questions for his graduate course on the early history of economics through classical economics. This information comes from three different sources, all of which are available on-line. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting corresponding material from the twenty economics courses at Harvard during the 1914-15 year for which the final examination questions had been printed and subsequently published.
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Course Announcement
Economics 14. History and Literature of Economics to the year 1848. Mon., Wed., and (at the pleasure of the instructor) Fri., at 11. Professor Bullock.
The purpose of this course is to trace the development of economic thought from classical antiquity to the middle of the nineteenth century. Emphasis is placed upon the relation of economics to philosophical and political theories, as well as to political and industrial conditions.
A considerable amount of reading of prominent writers will be assigned, and opportunity given for the preparation of theses. Much of the instruction is necessarily given by means of lectures. [p. 68]
Source: Division of History, Government, and Economics 1914-15. Official Register of Harvard University, Vol. XI, No. 1, Part 14 (May 19, 1914).
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Course Enrollment
[Economics] 14. Professor Bullock.—History and Literature of Economics to the year 1848.
Total 17: 17 Graduates.
Source: Report of the President of Harvard College, 1914-15, p. 60.
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Final Examination (2nd term)
ECONOMICS 14
- Write a critical account of the economic doctrines of three of the following men: Aquinas, Hales, Cantillon, Hume.
- Discuss critically the various interpretations of mercantilism.
- What claims, if any, has Mun’s “Englands Treasure” to be considered a systematic work upon economics?
- Trace the development of the theory of an economic surplus to the end of the eighteenth century.
- Discuss Smith’s theories of value, wages, rent, and profits.
- At what points do Ricardo’s doctrines differ from Smith’s?
- How far was the subject matter of the modern science of economics included in the Greek economics? What did the latter include that the former omits?
Source: Harvard University Examinations. Papers Set for Final Examinations in History, History of Science, Government, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Social Ethics, Education, Fine Arts, Music in Harvard College. June 1915, p. 56.
Image Source: Charles Jesse Bullock in Harvard Class Album, 1915.