Universität Wien

040016 KU History of Economic Ideas (BA) (2025S)

John M. Keynes: Economic Theories and Methodological Positions

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Th 08.05. 16:45-18:15 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 50 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 06.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
  • Thursday 13.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
  • Thursday 20.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
  • Thursday 27.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
  • Thursday 03.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
  • Thursday 10.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
  • Thursday 15.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
  • Thursday 22.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
  • Thursday 05.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
  • Thursday 12.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
  • Thursday 26.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Aims

The aim of this course is to provide a general introduction to the work of John Maynard Keynes. Keynes, of course, is well known for his book ‘The General Theory of Employment Interest and Money’, which revolutionized macroeconomic theory, and was published in 1936. However, as an author and as a high-ranking civil servant, Keynes contributed not only to economics, but to philosophy and to politics as well and played an important role in shaping British politics from 1914 to 1946. By reviewing some of his major works on the basis of selected passages, this course discusses Keynes’ ideas and theories as well as his important activities as high-ranking civil servant and financial expert, such as his role with respect to financing the Great War and World War II. The passages reviewed will be taken from Keynes’ books such as ‘The Economic Consequences of the Peace’, ‘Treatise on Probability’, ‘A Tract on Monetary Reform’, ‘Treatise on Money’, ‘The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money’, and ‘How to Pay for the War’. The focus, however, will be on Keynes’ economic and philosophical ideas.

Methods
Teaching consists of one unbroken 90-minute seminar; Discussion of problems at issue on the basis of short introductory talks; discussion of different text passages on the basis of questions distributed in advance for every meeting.

Assessment and permitted materials

Requirements
Students have to produce one substantial talk (about 30 min) on the basis of selected passages from Keynes' books. Previous to their talks, students will make individual appointments with me. In addition, they are required to hand in a short seminar paper on the basis of the talks they presented. Also, they have to attend the course on a regular basis and contribute in a lively manner to discussions at all classes.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

In order to complete that course successfully, students are required to produce one substantial talk and write a short seminar paper. They also are required to contribute in a lively manner to discussions at all classes. The quality of talks and seminar papers will be evaluated on the basis of completeness, clarity of argument, logical reasoning, and precision. Grades will be jointly determined by student and lecturer.

Examination topics

Problems discussed in the course.

Reading list

Principal Readings:

1) Robert L. Heilbroner, The Wordly Philosophers, Touchstone 1999, chap. IX.
2) Selected Passages from J. M. Keynes, ‘The Economic Consequences of the Peace’, CWK. II, ‘A Tract on Monetary Reform’, CWK. IV, , ‘Treatise on Money’, CWK. V, VI, ‘The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money’, CWK. VII, ‘Treatise on Probability’, CWK. VIII, and ‘How to Pay for the War’. CWK. IX. ( CWK = The Collected Writings of John Maynard Keynes, (ed. Donald Moggridge), MacMillan, St. Martins Press, Royal Economic Society, vols I – XXX; quoted as CWK.)
3) Selected passages from Zachary D. Carter, The Price of Peace, Random House, New York, 2020.
4) Selected Passages from Robert Skidelsky, John Maynard Keynes, The Essential Keynes, Penguin, 2015

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Th 06.03.2025 09:05