HIS 1803E: Introduction to the History of Business

 

History 1803E examines the development of business and commerce in a global setting from the twelfth century to the near present. We will study a broad range of subjects, including the nature of trade, development of markets, evolution of business organizations and practices, transformation of business as a profession, trade as a form of cultural knowledge and contact, philosophical underpinnings of various trade policies, impact of business on international relations, critics of international business and trade, and state regulation of business. Important themes running throughout the course include the processes of globalization, the rise of powerful economic centres, and the diversity of activities that fall under the categories of business and commerce. The organization of the course blends chronological and thematic approaches.

Besides providing information on the history of business and commerce, this course provides an introduction to the discipline of history. As such you will gain an understanding of how to analyse primary and secondary sources, become familiar with the library and electronic resources, and learn how to research and write an academic paper.

Every week the course comprises two lecture classes and one tutorial class. You must register for both the course as well as the tutorial session that fits your schedule. Tutorials are an integral part of the course. They provide the opportunity to discuss and analyse assigned readings, as well as relevant material covered in lectures. These tutorials complement the lecture material provided in the course; they do not replace lectures or vise versa. Your attendance and participation in tutorials comprise 10% of your final mark.

Required Texts

Joyce Appleby. The Relentless Revolution: A History of Capitalism (New York: W.W. Norton, 2010).

Robert L. Heilbroner. The Worldly Philosophers: The Lives, Times, and Ideas of the Great Economic Thinkers (New York: Touchstone, 1999).

John Micklethwait and Adrian Woolridge. The Company: A Short History of a Revolutionary Idea   

(New York: Modern Library, 2003).

Evaluation

First Essay       15%

Midterm           20%

Second Essay   20%

Final Exam      30%

Tutorials          15%

 

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