Universität Wien
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040066 SE Philosophy and Economics: Austrian Economics: Economic theories and methodological positions (MA) (2019S)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

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. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Please note that the title of this seminar is
'Philosophy-Politics-Economics: Austrian Economics, Economic Theories and Methodological Positions'

  • Monday 04.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 11.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 18.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 25.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 01.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 08.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 29.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 06.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 13.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 20.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 27.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 03.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 17.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 24.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

I. Aims and Content (Ziel und Inhalt)

Content
Attempts to solve open problems in economic theory frequently result in methodological debates regarding the structure of satisfactory explanations in the theoretical and historical social sciences and as a consequence in discussions regarding the epistemological status of those disciplines. By discussing methodological and epistemological issues authors participating in those debates seem to hope to find adequate solutions for open problems in economic theory. The focus in this seminar is particularly on economic theories and methodological positions developed by authors who usually are regarded as members of the so- called Austrian School of Economics. Authors like Menger, Böhm-Bawerk, Wieser, Mises, Hayek, Machlup, and others frequently developed economic theories in close relation with considerations regarding the structure of satisfactory explanations in the theoretical social sciences as well as their epistemological status. However, emphasis will not only be placed on the relations of economic theories and methodological positions. In addition questions will be discussed whether that school is characterized by one unifying (methodological) approach or whether, due to its historical roots, alternative positions such as methodological nominalism and methodological essentialism are defended by its members.

Aims
By discussing different economic theories and their relation to particular methodological positions diligent students will learn to make sense of the theoretical problems and their historical background as well as to evaluate the achievements and main criticisms proposed in different debates.

Method:
Teaching consists in one unbroken 90-minute seminar. The language of instruction is English, though German is welcome as well, depending on the texts discussed. Students are required to prepare for every meeting on the basis of obligatory readings and propose questions to be discussed in plenum. Students also have to present one 20 min talk at one particular meeting based on obligatory and additional readings and contribute in a lively manner to discussions at all classes. In addition they have to write a short seminar paper (ca 15 to 20 pages) on problems not discussed in their talks. Talks and seminar papers can be in English as well as in German.

Assessment and permitted materials

II. Basis of Evaluation (Art der Leistungskontrolle)
Efforts of students are evaluated on the basis of questions being proposed to the seminar, and the critical contributions to discussions, talks and seminarpapers. Talks and seminar papers are evaluated according to the clarity, precision, logical structure and completeness regarding the problems and arguments discussed.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

III. Rewards and Requirements (Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab)
In order to conclude this seminar successfully students have to provide one 20 min talk and hand in a short seminar paper of about 15 to 20 pages; they also have to contribute in a lively manner to discussions at all classes. Talks and seminar papers are evaluated according to the clarity, precision, logical structure and completeness regarding the problems and arguments discussed.

Examination topics

Reading list

V. Principal Literature
Obligatory readings (50 to 80 pages per week, depending on the technicalities required by the texts) will be announced in due course.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:28