Dr Patrick Wallis, CMK. C414 and Dr Chris Minns, CMK. C319

This is a compulsory second-year course for students taking BSc Economic History, BSc Economic History with Economics, BSc Economics and Economic History and BSc Economics with Economic History.  This course is not available to General Course students or as an outside option.

The course examines theories and concepts used in economic history, and provides an introduction to the methods used by economic historians to collect evidence and generate inference on relevant historical questions. The course will begin with an examination the development of history as a subject and discipline. Consideration will be given to the assumptions made in economics and their principal applications in economic history. The course will also introduce students to essential methods for the design and execution of a research project. Students will be introduced to the analysis of historical arguments and the critical interpretation of primary and secondary sources. The course will also provide students with the basic quantitative skills required to pursue an independent research project, and to engage critically with current scholarship in economic history.

20 lectures and 20 classes across the Michaelmas and Lent Terms.  One revision session will be held in the Summer Term.

Students are expected to write four essays or equivalent pieces of written work.

J Tosh, The Pursuit of History (2002), L Jordanovea, History in Practice (2000), CH Feinstein and M Thomas, Making History Count (2002), and P Hudson, History by Numbers (2000)

A two-hour examination in ST (70%) and a 3,000 word project (30%).