Tag: Crum

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Courses Curriculum Harvard

Harvard. Mathematical Economics, 1933-37

In the Spring of 1933 Joseph Schumpeter got the ball rolling for a project to introduce an introductory course in mathematical economics at Harvard. I include here first a memo from statistics professor W. L. Crum to the economics department chair, Professor H. H. Burbank. This is followed by the subsequent proposal signed by six professors (Burbank, Chamberlin, Crum, Mason, Schumpeter and Taussig), presumably sent to some university level curriculum approval committee. From the enrollment records included below we see that 23 people attended that class in the first term of 1933-34. Starting the following academic year the course was taught by Leontief and a new course “primarily for Graduates”, “Mathematical Economics”, was introduced by Professor E. B. Wilson. Course descriptions and enrollments through 1936-37 are included in this posting. Here is an interesting 1936 letter from E. B. Wilson to Columbia’s W. C. Mitchell about what Schumpeter has wrought with economics in the curriculum.

An update with additional material for this course has been included in a later post.

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If you find this posting interesting, here is the complete list of “artifacts” from the history of economics I have assembled. You can subscribe to Economics in the Rear-View Mirror below. There is also an opportunity for comment following each posting….

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Memorandum for Professor Burbank

4 April 1933

  1. I discussed, at his request, the mathematical economics project with Professor Schumpeter last Friday. I will give further consideration to his suggestions, and to the conversations I have had with you on the same subject; and then I will write out, for discussion with you, an outline of my thoughts on the matter.
  1. In the meantime, I am making a specific suggestion with reference to one of the points you raised earlier. You indicated that it might be desirable for those officers interested in mathematical economics to get together as a group and discuss prospects. As things are developing rapidly it seems to me that such a committee (perhaps informal) could well be set up promptly. I hope you will feel that you can meet with the group and act as its chairman. If you cannot, I suggest Professor Schumpeter be asked to head the group. I suggest that its members include also: Professor Black (I think it very desirable that he be brought in early), Professor Wilson, and me. I think it well that this original group be empowered to add shortly the following: Professor Frickey, Dr. Leontief, and Professor Chamberlin (or one of the other interested younger men).

[Signed]
WLC

 

Source: Harvard University Archives. Department of Economics, Correspondence & Papers, 1902-1950. (UAV.349.10) Box 23, Folder “Course Administration: 1932-37-40”.

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Tentative Proposals for a Course on the Elements of Mathematical Economics to be Given during the Winter Term

The advanced student who is interested in the mathematical aspects of our subject has had in most cases some mathematical training and can be taken care of individually. But something should be done to acquaint a wider circle of less advanced students, or even of beginners, with those fundamental concepts of mathematics which are necessary to understand, say, Marshall’s Appendix and the more important and more accessible parts of the literature of mathematical economics, such as the works of Cournot, Walras, Edgeworth, and a few others. Since the necessary minimum of mathematics can be procured with little expenditure of time and energy, the experiment is proposed of importing this modicum of information to such graduate and undergraduate students as may wish to have it–subject to the approval of tutors in the case of undergraduates.

A half-course two hours a week would meet the case. Since any teaching of mathematics must work with examples if it is to convey any meaning, these examples will be drawn from economic problems. The course, therefore, should not be simply one on “mathematics for economists” but rather on “mathematical theory of economics.” Discussion will cover a number of simple and fundamental problems of economic theory, the mathematical concepts being explained as they present themselves. In the first term the whole venture will be frankly experimental. Coöperation and critique from all members of the economic staff is cordially invited. The final shape of this addition to our offering should, through common effort, be evolved during the next term. The following list is suggested of mathematics subjects with which it is proposed to deal in which seem to be both necessary and sufficient. The economic problems from which, and in connection with which, these mathematical topics are to be developed are merely the time-honored problems of marginal analysis.

(1) The fundamental concepts of analytic geometry, coordinates, transformations, equations of straight-line and curves, tangents, and so forth.

(2) Some fundamental notions of algebra, the theory of equations, forms, matrices, determinants, vectors, and vectorial operations.

(3) The concept of the integral and some of its applications, definite integrals, multiple integrals, and multiple integrals in polar coordinates.

(4) Functions and limits, differential coefficients, the elementary differential operations, maxima and minima, partial differentiations, developments, Taylor series.

(5) Simplest elements of the theory of differential equations. Functional equations and here and there some simple and useful tools from other mathematical fields as occasions may arise.

The course should be open to all who are interested, and participation of those wishing to follow it as auditors will be welcomed. It is highly desirable that as many tutors as possible should be present at the sessions of the first experimental term in order to contribute their advice, so that in the future the course may embody those topics and methods of present presentation which are found to be useful.

 

April 1933

H. H. Burbank
E. H. Chamberlin
W. L. Crum
E. S. Mason
J. A. Schumpeter
F. W. Taussig

Source: Harvard University Archives. Department of Economics, Correspondence & Papers, 1902-1950. (UAV.349.10) Box 23, Folder “Course offerings 1926-1937”.

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1933-1934

[Courses offered]

Economics 8a 1hf. Introduction to the Mathematical Treatment of Economic Theory

Half-course (first half-year). Mon. 4 to 6, and a third hour at the pleasure of the instructor. Professor Schumpeter, and other members of the Department.

Economics 8a is open to those who have passed Economics A and Mathematics A, or its equivalent. The aim of this course is to acquaint such students as may wish it with the elements of the mathematical technique necessary to understand the simpler contributions to the mathematical theory of Economics.

Source: Harvard University. Announcement of the Courses of Instruction Offered by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences during 1933-34, 2n ed., p. 126.

 

[Course Enrollment]

[Economics] 8a 1hf. Professor Schumpeter and other members of the Department. — Introduction to the Mathematical Treatment of Economic Theory.

15 Graduates, 3 Seniors, 5 Instructors. Total 23.

Source: Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College and Reports of Departments for 1933-1934, p. 85.

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1934-35

[Courses offered]

Economics 8a 1hf. Introduction to the Mathematical Treatment of Economic Theory

Half-course (first half-year). Mon. 4 to 6, and a third hour at the pleasure of the instructor. Professor Schumpeter.

Economics A and Mathematics A, or their equivalents, are prerequisites for this course.

Economics 13b 2hf. Mathematical Economics

Half-course (second half-year). Tu., Th., 3 to 4.30. Professor E. B. Wilson.

Arrangements for admission should be made with the Chairman of the Department
Omitted in 1935-36.

Source: Harvard University. Announcement of the Courses of Instruction Offered by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences during 1934-35, 2n ed., p. 126-7.

 

[Course Enrollments]

[Economics] 8a 1hf. Professor Schumpeter. — Introduction to the Mathematical Treatment of Economic Theory.

2 Seniors, 1 Junior, 1 Sophomore. Total 4.

[Economics] 13b 2hf. Professor E. B. Wilson. — Mathematical Economics.

2 Graduates, 1 Junior, Total 3.

Source: Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College and Reports of Departments for 1934-1935, p. 81.

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1935-1936

[Course offered]

Economics 8a 2hf. Introduction to the Mathematical Treatment of Economic Theory

Half-course (second half-year). Mon. 4 to 6. Assistant Professor Leontief.

Economics A and Mathematics A, or their equivalents, are prerequisites for this course.

 

[Economics 13b 2hf. Mathematical Economics]

Half-course (second half-year). Tu., Th., at 2. Professor E. B. Wilson.

Arrangements for admission should be made with the Chairman of the Department
Omitted in 1935-36.

Source: Harvard University. Announcement of the Courses of Instruction Offered by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences during 1935-36, 2nd ed., p. 138-9.

 

[Course Enrollment]

[Economics] 8a 2hf. Professor Leontief. — Introduction to the Mathematical Treatment of Economic Theory.

4 Juniors, 2 Sophomores. Total 6.

 

Source: Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College and Reports of Departments for 1935-1936, p. 82.

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1936-1937

[Courses offered]

Economics 4a 2hf. (formerly 8a) Introduction to the Mathematical Treatment of Economic Theory

Half-course (second half-year). Mon. 4 to 6. Assistant Professor Leontief.

Economics A and Mathematics A, or their equivalents, are prerequisites for this course.

Economics 104b 2hf. (formerly 13b). Mathematical Economics

Half-course (second half-year). Tu., Th., at 2. Professor E. B. Wilson.

Arrangements for admission should be made with the Chairman of the Department

Source: Harvard University. Announcement of the Courses of Instruction Offered by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences during 1936-7, 2nd ed., p. 140, 142.

 

[Course Enrollments]

[Economics] 4a 2hf. Professor Leontief. — Introduction to the Mathematical Treatment of Economic Theory.

1 Graduate, 2 Seniors, 3 Juniors, 2 Sophomores, 1 Other. Total 9.

[Economics] 104b 2hf. (formerly 13b) Professor E. B. Wilson. — Mathematical Economics.

2 Graduates. Total 2.

Source: Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College and Reports of Departments for 1936-1937, pp. 92,93.

Image Source: Schumpeter, Leontief, Wilson from Harvard Album, 1934, 1939.

 

 

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Courses Harvard Syllabus

Harvard. The Corporation and its Regulation. Course Syllabus. Crum, Mason & Chamberlin, 1934

The division of labor among the three professors jointly responsible for this course appears to be according to topic. The accounting business clearly fell to Crum.  Why Mason is listed ahead of Chamberlin (seniority? or order of topic within the course) is not explicit. For now I’ll just conjecture that Mason taught the Dewing (i.e. Finance) part of the course and Chamberlin then taught the Berle and Means material. The enrollment numbers indicate it was a popular course (maybe as pre-law or pre-MBA preparation for economics majors?).

More recently added:  the final examination questions for the course.

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[From the Course Catalogue]

Economics 4a 1hf. The Corporation and its Regulation

Half-course (first half-year). Tu., Th., Sat., at 11. Professor Crum, Associate Professor Mason, and Associate Professor Chamberlin.

 

Source: Announcement of the Courses of Instruction Offered by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences during 1934—35 (second edition). Official Register of Harvard University, Vol. 31, No. 38 (September 20, 1934), p.126.

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[Course Enrollment]

4a 1hf. Professor Crum, Associate Professors Mason and Chamberlin.—The Corporation and its Regulation.

161 Total: 1 Graduate, 52 Seniors, 86 Juniors, 11 Sophomores, 11 Others.

Source: Harvard University Archives, Report of the President of Harvard College and the departments for 1934-35, p. 81.

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Economics 4a
The Corporation and its Regulation

Reading Assignments, 1934–1935

BOOKS:

S. Baldwin, Modern Political Institutions
Paton and Stevenson, Accounting Principles
A. S. Dewing, Financial Policy of Corporations (1934 edition) [link to 1926 edition]
Berle and Means, The Modern Corporation and Private Property
Bonbright and Means, The Holding Company
Seager and Gulick, Trust and Corporation Problems
J. B. Hubbard, ed., Current Economic Policies

* * * * * * *

October 1-6: Baldwin, Ch. 6.
October 8-13: Paton and Stevenson, pp. 1-207 (Omit Ch. 5)
October 15-20: Paton and Stevenson, Ch. 22.
October 22-17: Dewing, Book IV, Chs. 7, 8,9.
October 29-November 3: Dewing, Book III, Chs. 3, 4.
November 5-10: Dewing, Book I, Chs. 3, 4, 5.
November 12-17: Dewing, Book V, Ch. 3 and pp. 730-736.
November 19-24: Berle and Means, Book II, Chs. 1, 2, 3.
November 26-December 1 Berle and Means, Book II, Chs. 5-8, Book IV (complete).
December 3-8: Bonbright and Means, Chs. 1, 2, 3, 6 (omit Supplment), 13.
December 10-15: Berle and Means, Book III (complete).
Hubbard, pp. 575-610.
December 17-22: Seager and Gulick, Chs. 25, 27.
Hubbard, pp. 110-126.

* * *  * * * *
Reading Period: Dewing, Book V, Chs. 9, 11, 12; Book VI, Ch. 5.
Berle and Means, Book I, Chs. 3, 4.
Hubbard, pp. 610-636.

 

Source: Harvard University Archives. Syllabi, course outlines and reading lists in Economics, 1895-2003 (HUC8522.2.1). Box 2, Folder “1934-1935”.

Image Source: Crum, Mason and Chamberlin from Harvard Album 1934.

Categories
Economists Harvard Transcript

Harvard. Graduate Course Record. Thomas Schelling, 1946-49

Included in the materials from the 1949-50 hiring search for someone to teach in Columbia College was a mimeographed fact-sheet/transcript for 28 year old Thomas Schelling together with a departmental statement provided by the Chairman of the Harvard Department of Economics, Harold Burbank. I think we can be pretty sure that both items were attached to a letter Burbank sent to Angell dated December 14, 1949 in which Tobin and Schelling were discussed with supporting data (cf. Appendix C in the Hiring Committee’s Report of January 9, 1950 that clearly provides information on Tobin from the same letter).

Interesting to note perhaps is (i) the future Nobel laureate did not get short-listed by the search committee and (ii) “his interest is mainly in the national income, fiscal policy approach” might have been a contemporary euphemism or dog-whistle for “Keynesian economist”.

In any event, I am delighted whenever I find the complete graduate course records of Ph.D.’s. I have filled in the names of the instructors for the respective courses based on the Harvard President’s Reports.

____________________

Thomas Crombie Schelling

Address: Program Division, ECA-OSR [Economic Cooperation Administration, Office of the Special Representative (Administration of the Marshall Plan)], 2 Rue Saint Florentin, Paris, France

Born: April 14, 1921, U.S.

Married: Yes

Degrees:

A.B., 1944, University of California (Highest honors)

A.M., 1948, Harvard University

Experience:

1941-43         American Embassy, Santiago, Chile

1945-46         U. S. Bureau of Budget, Fiscal Division

1946-48         Teaching Fellow, Harvard

1948               Elected to Society of Fellows, resigned September, 1949

1948-              ECA, Copenhagen Paris

 

Courses:

Summer 1946

Ec. 201 (Reading)                 Satis.

Fall 1946-47

Ec. 103a (Adv. theory [Schumpeter])         A+

Ec. 104b (Math. Ec. [Leontief])                    A+

Ec. 148a (Int. Tr. Sem. [sic, 148a was Fiscal Policy Seminar with Williams and Hansen])        A-

Spring 1946-47

Ec. 103b (Adv. Theory [Schumpeter]))      A+

Ec. 121b (Statistics [Frickey]))                     A-

Ec 148b (Int. Tr. Sem. [sic, 148a was Fiscal Policy Seminar with Williams and Hansen]))       A-

Summer 1947

Ec. 201 (Reading)     Satis.

Fall 1947-48

Ec. 102a (Adv. Theory [Leontief])   A+

Ec. 133a (History [Usher])               A-

Ec. 161a (Ind. Org. [Alexander and Crum])           A+

Spring 1947-48

Ec. 102b (Adv. Theory [Leontief])   Exc.

Ec. 133b (Ec. History[Usher])          A

Ec. 162b (Ind. Org. [Mason])           Exc.

Fields of study: Economic Theory, Industrial Organization, Money and Banking, Statistics, write-off, Economic History; special field, Business Cycles

Generals: Passed April 7, 1948 with a grade of Excellent Minus

____________________

[Supporting Statement
by Chairman of the Harvard Economics Department,
14 Dec. 1949(?)]

Schelling came to us immediately after the war with a quite extraordinary record in his undergraduate work at Berkeley and an outstanding war accomplishment in the Bureau of the Budget. His intellectual work with us was of the highest order, so high indeed that he was recommended for the Society of Fellows and accepted by them. However, Schelling saw fit to accept a position with the E.C.A. and at the end of the first year elected to stay with that organization even at the expense of resigning his fellowship. I have not heard from him directly but I understand that he intends to take his degree this spring and will be available.

The members of the staff most familiar with Schelling’s work—Hansen, Harris, and Smithies—regard him as one of the very top students we have had at least in the last ten years. I believe those mentioned will recommend him without qualification. It is true that his interest is mainly in the national income, fiscal policy approach, which I believe is one of the areas in which you are least interested, but he certainly is capable of working in theory and perhaps in other areas as well.

Very sincerely,

[signed]

H. H. Burbank

 

Professor James W. Angell
Columbia University
New York 27, New York

____________________

Source: Department of Economics Collection, Columbia University Archive. Box 6, Folder: “Columbia College”.

Image Source: Harvard Kennedy School Magazine, Summer 2012.

Categories
Economists Harvard Transcript

Harvard. Wolfgang Stolper’s Coursework. 1934-37

The picture shows the economics department of Swarthmore ca. 1942:
Standing: John W. Seybold (1916-2004), Frank Pierson (1911-1996)
Seated: Wolfgang F. Stolper (1912-2002), Clair Wilcox (1898-1970), Herbert F. Fraser (1890-1953).

One can read about them and others in One Hundred Years of Economics at Swarthmore by Joshua Hausman (Swarthmore, Class of 2005)

Below is the course record of the first author of the classic paper “Protection and Real Wages,” Review of Economic Studies, 1941. The second author was the economist seen in center of this blog’s rear-view mirror.

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HARVARD UNIVERSITY

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

24 UNIVERSITY HALL, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

May 23, 1938

 

Transcript of the record of Mr. Friedrich Wolfgang Stolper

 

Course

1934-35

GRADE
Economics 11
[Economic theory]

(1 course)
[Taussig, Schumpeter]

Excused
Economics 51
[Business cycles and economic forecasting]

(1 course)
[Schumpeter]

A
Economics 1a1
[Introduction to economic statistics]

(½ course)
Frickey

A
Economics 10a1
[History of commerce, 1450-1750]

(½ course)
[Usher]

A
Economics 10b2
[History of industry and agriculture, 1450-1750]

(½ course)
[Usher]

A minus
Economics 31b2
[Theory of economic statistics]

(½ course)
[Crum]

Excused

1935-36
Mathematics A

(1 course)

C plus
Economics 121
[Monopolistic competition and allied problems in value theory]

(½ course)
[Chamberlin]

A minus
Economics 20
[Economic research]		 (1 course)
Mason

A

1936-37
Economics 20
[Economic research]

(1½ courses)
Schumpeter

A
Economics 147a hf
[Seminar: Selected problems in money and banking]

(½ course)
[Harris]

A

Mr. Stolper received the degree of Master of Arts in June, 1935.

 

The established grades are A, B, C, D, and E.

A grade of A, B, Credit, Satisfactory, or Excused indicates that the course was passed with distinction. Only courses passed with distinction may be counted toward a higher degree.

*Courses marked with an asterisk are elementary and therefore may not be counted toward a higher degree.

[signed] Lawrence S. Mayo
Assistant Dean

 

Source: Wolfgang F. Stolper papers. Duke University, Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Box 23 c. 1.

Image Source: p. 15 of The Halcyon 1943 (Swarthmore Yearbook).

Categories
Courses Harvard Syllabus

Harvard Economics. Readings for Taussig’s Economics 11, Theory. 1923-24.

 

 

From assignments and suggested readings as found in the notes taken by Frank W. Fetter (obituary), son of the economist Frank Albert Fetter. Frank W. Fetter received an A.M. in economics from Harvard. Most of the items below are written at the start of his notes for the class-days Fetter attended. Approximately 110 pages of class/reading notes are in this folder. I have merely extracted the course readings and specific bibliographic references made by Taussig for this posting.

New addition: Mid-year and final examination questions for this course.

________________________

Readings for Economic Theory (Taussig)

Economics 11
MWF 2pm
1923-24
from notes taken by Frank Whitson Fetter

Fall Term

Sept. 26

Sept. 28

Oct. 1

Oct. 3

Oct. 5

Oct. 8

Oct. 10

Oct. 15

Oct. 17

Oct. 19

Oct. 22

Oct. 24

Oct. 26

Oct. 29

Oct. 31

Nov. 2

Nov. 5

Nov. 7

Nov. 9

Nov. 12

Nov. 14 Discusses Ricardo’s biography

Nov. 16 (no class)

Nov. 19

Nov. 26

Nov. 28

Nov. 30 Lecture by Taussig on Mill

Dec. 3. No class

Dec. 5. Class in charge of Prof. Crum.

Dec. 7

Dec. 10

Dec. 12

  • Marshall 8th p. 335, (abbreviation unclear, looks like: V:12; paragraph 3…need to check)

Dec. 14

Dec. 17

Dec. 19

Dec. 21

Jan 4

Jan 7

Jan 9

Jan 11.

Jan 14 “increasing returns” (internal and external economies)

Jan 16

Jan 18

Jan 21

Jan 23 Discussion of cases given by Marshall in diagrams on pp. 464-469.

 

 

 

Spring Term

Feb. 11

  • Ultimate analysis of cost of production chapter.
  • Marshall Book VI, ch 4,5, also p. 339
  • Mill, p. 440
  • Marshall, Fortnightly Review, vol 25, p. 598

Feb. 13

Feb. 15

Feb. 18

Feb 20

Feb 25

  • Discussion of main idea of Book II, chapter 7 (probably Marshall)

Feb 27

Feb 29

March 3

March 5

March 7

March 10

March 12

March 14

March 17 no class

March 19

March 21

March 24

March 26 pp. 325-327

March 28

March 31

April 2

April 4

April 7

April 9

April 11 Absent.

April 21

April 23

April 25 absent

April 28

April 30

May 2

May 5

May 7

May 9

May 12    Class in charge of Crum

May 14

May 16

May 19

No class May 21 or May 26.

May 23

May 28

 

Source:  Duke University. Rubenstein Library.
Frank Whitson Fetter Papers, 1902-1992.  Box 49.
Folder: Student Papers, Graduate Course (Harvard University) Transportation Exams, readings, notes, 1923-1924.

Categories
Curriculum Harvard Regulations

Harvard Economics. Information Regarding Graduate Degrees, 1947

February 1, 1947

HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Department of Economics
Information Regarding Graduate Degrees

I.       ADMISSION TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Application for admission to the Graduate School should be made directly to the Graduate School office in Farlow House, 24 Quincy Street.

II.      REGISTRATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENT PROGRAMS

All graduate students, including veterans, are expected to register for full-time study, or four half-courses. Exceptions may be made on the basis of medical or physical reasons. Consult the Graduate School Dean or Secretary.

III.     REQUIREMENTS FOR THE A.M. IN ECONOMICS

A. Plan of Study Plans of Study must be approved by the Chairman of the Department before the end of the first term in residence.

B. Residence  Two full terms of advanced work with acceptable grades at Harvard are necessary to establish residence.

C. Languages  A reading knowledge of one approved language (other than English) in which there exists a significant body of literature in the field of Economics is required. This requirement is satisfied by passing the written examination given by the Department in the first week of November and March. This requirement must be met before taking the general examination.

D. General Oral Examination

1. The candidate will be examined on four fields, as presented in the Plan of Study, selected from the groups below:

(a) Two from Group A, including Economic Theory.

(b) Two from Groups A, B, and C (not more than one from Group C).

Group A

(1) Economic Theory and its History, with special reference to the Development of Economic Thought since 1776.

(2) Economic History since 1750, or some other approved field in Economic History

(3) Statistical Method and its Application

Group B

(4) Money and Banking

(5) Economic Fluctuations and Forecasting

(6) Transportation

(7) Industrial Organization and Control

(8) Public Finance

(9) International Trade and Tariff Policies

(10) Economics of Agriculture

(11) Labor Problems

(12) Socialism and Social Reform

(13) Economic History before 1750

(14) Consumption Distribution and Prices

(15) Economics of Public Utilities

(16) Social Security

Group C

(17) Forestry Economics

(18) Any of the historical fields defined under the requirements for the Ph.D. in History

(19) Certain fields in Political Science listed under the requirements for the Ph.D. in Political Science.

(20) Jurisprudence (selected topics)

(21) Philosophy (selected topics)

(22) Anthropology

(23) History of Political Theory

(24) International Law

(25) Sociology. Certain fields defined under the requirements for the Ph.D. in Sociology.

2. Under certain conditions three fields of study may be offered for the oral examination. If the candidate is to be examined orally in three fields of study, he must present, in lieu of an oral examination on the fourth field, a full course on the graduate level offered by the Department followed by a seminar in the same field. The approval of the Chairman of the Department is necessary. Grades of at least B+ must be obtained in each course.

3. Preparation

(a) The fields of study are covered in part by formal course instruction, but supplementary reading must be undertaken to meet the requirements.

(b) Preparation for the field Economic Theory and its History will normally require two full courses in the field at the graduate level, or equivalent private reading. Candidates should consult the Chairman of the Department concerning their work in this field.

(c) In Statistics, Economics 21a, or its equivalent, is a prerequisite to graduate instruction. Either Professor Crum or Professor Frickey should be consulted.

(d) Usually three terms of graduate study at Harvard are necessary as preparation for the general examination, but a candidate who has been credited with graduate work of high order at another institution may be able to prepare himself in a shorter period.

4. Excuses from final course examinations

Candidates for the Master’s degree who are not candidates for the Ph.D. degree must take the final examinations in courses.

5. Quality of work

Candidates for this degree must give evidence, in their course records, of the capacity for distinguished work. Ordinarily, candidates whose records at Harvard do not average at least B will not be allowed to present themselves for the general examination.

6. Arranging the examination

The oral, or general, examinations are not set at any specified date. The arrangements for the examination must be made at least six weeks in advance of the date proposed by the candidate. Consult the Secretary of the Department, M-8 Littauer Center.

E. Application for the A.M.

Application for the degree must be filed in the office of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 24 Quincy Street, by December 1 for a degree at Midyear; March 1 for the degree at Commencement. (August 1 if degrees are awarded at end of summer term.)

F. Special A.M. in Economics for Veterans

The only changes from the stated conditions given above are:

(1) On petition a candidate for a master’s degree may present himself for an oral examination in which quantitatively the requirement in Economic Theory is one that can be met in one year of graduate study.

(2) The requirements regarding the offering of Economic History or Statistics are eliminated.

It must be understood that the oral examination for this degree will not be accepted as part of the formal requirements for the Ph.D. degree.

A. Plan of Study Plans of Study must be approved by the Chairman of the Department before the end of the first term in residence.

B. Residence  Two full terms of advanced work with acceptable grades at Harvard are necessary to establish residence.

C. General Oral Examination  The candidate will be examined on four fields as presented in the Plan of Study. (See list of fields of study above.)

(a) Economic Theory

(b) Three from Groups A, B, and C (not more than one from Group C.)

IV.      REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D. IN ECONOMICS

A. Residence

To establish residence for the Ph.D. degree, the Faculty requires not less than two full years of advanced work (four terms). To count toward this requirement the quality of the work i each course must be maintained at a high level.

1. Two terms (eight courses) must be taken during the academic year in residence at Harvard.

2. Graduate work completed in other departments of Harvard or at another institution may be offered in full or partial fulfilment of the other two terms required. Consult the Chairman of the Department.

B. Languages

The candidate must present a reading knowledge of two approved languages (other than English) in which there exists a significant body of literature in the field of Economics, one passed before taking the general examination, and both passed at least six months before the special examination. This requirement is satisfied only by passing the examination given by the Department of Economics in the first week of November and March.

The candidate may, if he chooses, offer in place of one of the required languages evidence of his capacity to read and understand the more elementary mathematical presentations used or usable in economics.

Such elementary methods are herein defined to include such knowledge of analytic geometry as is frequently given in the first year of college and such knowledge of differential calculus and integral calculus as is frequently given in a single-year course in college.

In terms of present (1947) courses in Harvard College, this means through Math 2.

Evidence that the student has this knowledge shall be furnished by the passage of an examination “in the reading of mathematical economics” to be set by an officer of this Department and held at the usual date or dates of the language examination. By exception, a pass grade in Math 2a and b at Harvard or Radcliffe will be accepted in place of the special mathematics examination. In unusual cases, the examiner may recommend that appropriate grades in similar mathematics courses elsewhere be accepted instead of the special examination.

C. Plan of Study

Every candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy is required to submit to his Department, on a blank provided by the Department office, a plan showing his fields of study and his preparation in those fields. This plan of study must be submitted not later than the end of the first term of graduate work. The Department reserves the right not to approve any plan which seems unsatisfactory, even though the plan meets the formal requirements of distribution in the various groups. Candidates may present, for the consideration of the Department, reasonable substitutes for any of the fields named in the several groups.

1. The plan of study must include six fields, approved by the Chairman of the Department, selected as follows from the list on pp. 1-2 above:

(a) The three subjects in Group A are required, and

(b) Three from Group B, or

(c) Two from Group B and one from Group C.

D. General Oral Examination

1. The general oral examination for the Ph.D. is the same as the examination for the Master’s degree.

2. Excuses from final course examinations:

(a) Consult the Secretary of the Department in M-8 Littauer Center.

(b) Ordinarily candidates are excused from the final examinations in courses included in the fields presented for the general examination provided the general examination is passed after December 1 in the fall term and April 14 in the spring term and before the course examinations are held.

(c)  Students must receive at least a grade of “good” in the general examination to be excused.

E. Fifth Field (write-off field)

The requirement regarding the fifth field of study in the Ph.D. program is usually fulfilled by the passing of the equivalent of a full year graduate course offered at Harvard and completed with the grade of B+ or higher. Seminars offered by the Graduate School of Public Administration are not acceptable for “write-off” purposes. The requirement also may be fulfilled by oral examination at the time of the general. One-half course must have been completed in the write-off field with a grade of B+ or higher before the general examination.

F. Thesis  – written within the sixth (special) field

1. Every candidate for the doctorate is required to report to the Secretary of the Department, as soon as possible after his general examination, the subject of his thesis and the member of the Department under whom he intends to work.

2. Two bound copies of the thesis, the original of which may be printed or typewritten, with a carbon copy clear and legible, must be in the hands of the Chairman of the Department by December 1  and  April 1 for degrees at midyear or Commencement, and August 1 for a fall degree.

3. The thesis must be accepted by the Department before the candidate can be admitted to the final examination.

4. The thesis must show an original treatment of the subject, and give evidence of independent research.

5. Every thesis must be accompanied by two copies of a brief summary, not exceeding 1200 words in length, which shall indicate as clearly as possible the methods, material, and results of the investigation. These summaries will be printed by the University in an annual volume.

G. Special Oral Examination

1. At present it is expected that one year of residence will elapse between the general and the special examinations. The preparation for the doctorate is regarded by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and by the Department as a continuous process. Ordinarily, the candidate must stand for the final examination within five years after passing the general examination.

2. Applications for the Ph.D. degree must be filed with the Graduate School (24 Quincy Street) and approved by the Administrative Board of the Graduate School before the final examination. The Graduate School requires that the application be filed by December 1 for the degree at midyear, and March 1 for the degree at Commencement (or August 1 if degree is awarded at end of summer term).

3. To arrange for the date of the special examination, consult the Secretary of the Department, M-8 Littauer Center, six weeks in advance of the proposed date, and before December 1, for the degree at midyear, and March 1 for the degree at Commencement.

4. The special examination will include an examination of the candidate on the thesis presented and also an intensive examination on the “sixth field” within which the subject matter of the thesis is included.

5. During the special oral examination, candidates are required to show an acquaintance with the literature in their special field in the two languages approved for their program.

H. For the doctorate in Economics at least three years devoted to advanced study are usually considered as the minimum period of preparation for graduates of colleges in good standing.

I. Candidates for the degree should be well grounded in the main outlines of European and American history, and should have had a general view of the nature and growth of political institutions and constitutional law.

J. Students who wish to pursue special plans of study for the Ph.D., or to work in fields not announced as fields in which the degree may be taken, should consult the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Science, since in exceptional cases special arrangements may be made.

K. Special Ph.D. in Economics for Veterans

The only change from the stated conditions given above is that in the case of exceptional performance in graduate study, the requirements regarding the number of fields for the Ph.D may be reduced to five fields, but in each case this program must be voted by the Department.

V.      REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D. IN BUSINESS ECONOMICS

The program of study for the degree will be made up of six fields chosen from the groups given below. Four (or under certain conditions, three) of these fields, including Economic Theory, which is required, will be presented for the general examination. Only two fields, including Economic Theory, may ordinarily be chosen from Group A. Fields other than those here stated may be offered. Emphasis is placed upon an integrated program. in all cases the program of study must be approved by the Chairman of the Department of Economics. For advice, see the Chairman of the Department of Economics. For advice, see the Chairman of the Department of Economics on courses relating to economics and the Secretary of the Doctoral Board at the Graduate School of Business Administration for business subjects.

Group A

(1) Economic Theory and its History, with special reference to the Development of the History of Economic Thought since 1776.

(2) Economic History since 1750.

(3) Public Finance and Taxation.

(4) Economics of Agriculture.

Group B

(5) Accounting

(6) Marketing

(7) Foreign Trade

(8) Production

(9) Money and Banking

(10) Corporate Organization and Finance

(11) Transportation

(12) Insurance

(13) Statistical Method and its Application

(14) Economics of Public Utilities

(15) Labor

Special Examination and Thesis

     The procedure in general follows that outlined for the Ph.D. in Economics. The field for the special examination should ordinarily be chosen from Group B.

SOURCE:  HARVARD UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES.
UAV 349.11 Box 13. Department of Economics/1930-1961 and some earlier/General Exams to Haberler
Graduate Degree Requirements.