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Harvard. International Trade and Finance. Final Exam. Leontief, 1933

 

 

Wassily Leontief’s first appointment at Harvard was at the rank of instructor for the academic year 1932-33. The first course he taught was Economics 18 (Price Analysis) that was taken by two graduate students for credit during the fall semester. Leontief then taught Economics 39 (International Trade and Finance) in the second semester. I have yet to locate a syllabus or reading list for that course, but at least Economics in the Rear-view Mirror is able to provide visitors with the transcript below of what would appear to be Leontief’s earliest recorded examination at Harvard.

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Course Description

[Economics] 39 2hf. International Trade and Finance

Half-course (second half-year). Mon., Wed., Fri. at 3. Dr. Leontief.

Starting with the classical theory of foreign trade, this course will lead to an analysis of modern problems in international economic relations. The movement of capital and labor across national boundaries will be discussed and the general trend in international economic relations and policies will be analyzed in connection with the changing structure of world economies.

Source:  Division of History, Government and Economics, 1932-33. Official Register of Harvard University, Vol. 29, No. 32 (June 27, 1932), pp. 81-82.

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Course Enrollment

[Economics 39 2hf. Dr. Leontief.—International Trade and Finance.

Total 11: 9 Graduates, 2 Radcliffe.

Source:  Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College for 1932-1933, p. 66.

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Final Examination

1932-33
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
ECONOMICS 392

(Three hours)

  1. Analyze the theory of costs in its application to the theory of international trade.
  2. “England was losing after the war its exports to other countries because its costs of production were too high.” Is this statement compatible with the theory of comparative costs? Analyze the case.
  3. Can a tariff protect the wage-level of a country?
  4. Under what conditions can a country gain from a protective tariff?
  5. What is dumping? Under what conditions is it most likely to occur?
  6. Analyze the principal items of a typical balance of payments.

Final. 1933.

Source: Harvard University Archives. Harvard University Examination Papers. Finals. (HUC 7000.28 vol. 75). Papers Printed for Final Examinations: History, History of Religions,…, Economics,…, Military Science, Naval Science January-June, 1933.

Image Source: Wassily Leontief in Harvard Class Album, 1934.