Each student is required to do a project. There are two types of projects. Type #1 is a book review. Type #2 is a term paper. You choose one of these types.

1. Book Review

A book review requires that you (a) read a recently published book in economic history (b) write a “review” of it. Your review should summarize the basic theme(s) of the book; discuss its contribution to the literature; and critique the analysis and conclusions. Length should be approximately 10-12 pages, inclusive of any tables, footnotes, or additional references.

Here is a list of pre-approved books for review. You can choose one of these; or you can review a book of your choosing, however, you will need to discuss the title with me first.

You will need to obtain your own copy of the book. All of the books listed below can be purchased on-line; some may be available in our library (I have not checked).

NOTE: you are welcome to meet with me to discuss your book review.

Allen, Robert C. 2009. The British Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective. New York: Oxford University Press.

Berkowitz, Daniel and Karen B. Clay. 2011. The Evolution of a Nation: How Law and Geography Shaped the American States. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Botticini, Maristella and Zvi Eckstein. 2012. The Chosen Few: How Education Shaped Jewish History, 70-1492. Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press.

Clark, Greg. 2014. The Son Also Rises: Surnames and the History of Social Mobility. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Deaton, Angus. 2013. The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Diamond, Jared and James A. Robinson. 2010. Natural Experiments of History. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Eichengreen, Barry. 2015. Hall of Mirrors: The Great Depression, the Great Recession, and the Uses and Misuses of History. New York: Oxford University Press.

Fishback, Price, et. al. 2013. Well Worth Saving: How the New Deal Safeguarded Home Ownership. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Floud, Roderick et. al. 2011. The Changing Body: Health, Nutrition, and Human Development in the Western World Since 1700. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Goldin, Claudia. 2021. Career and Family: Women’s Century Long Journey Towards Equity. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Kuran, Timur. 2012 (paperback). The Long Divergence: How Islamic Law Held Back the Middle East. Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press.

Lindert, Peter. 2004. Growing Public: Social Spending and Economic Growth since the Eighteenth Century, Volume 1. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Mokyr, Joel. 2009. The Enlightened Economy: An Economic History of Britain, 1700-1850. New Haven CT: Yale University Press.

Pomeranz, Kenneth. 2000. The Great Divergence: China, Europe, and the Making of the Modern World Economy. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

1. Term papers

Term papers should be approximately 10-12 pages in length, inclusive of all tables, footnotes, and references. A term paper could be a systematic review/analysis of the professional literature on a topic; it could be an attempt to replicate the findings of an existing study; it could be an original piece of research (such as a regression analysis of historical data); or it could be a proposal for a research project. Because there are so many possibilities, if you wish to write a term paper, you need to make an appointment to see me VERY early in the semester to discuss potential topics (AND it would be a good idea to meet with me regularly on your progress). Please note: in the case of original research, I am willing to entertain co-authored term papers (no more than two authors per paper, however)

Topic 1: the industrial revolution

topic2: railroads and American economic development

topic 3: agriculture and environment

topic 4:urban and regional development

topic 5: slavery and its aftermath

Topic 6a: Fertility
Topic 6b: Health and Mortality
Topic 7: Female Labor Force
Topic 8: Inequality and Mobility
Topic 9: The Great Depression