EARLY MODERN HISTORY|HISTORY OF SCIENCE|HISTORY OF RELIGION|MATERIAL CULTURE

Today the claim that God designed everything in the universe has given way to the theory of evolution – the scientific demonstration that biological...

Intelligent Design? Science, Religion and Material Culture 1500-1830 (HIST0284)

Today the claim that God designed everything in the universe has given way to the theory of evolution – the scientific demonstration that biological organisms gradually change over millions of years through natural selection. The usual story of how this change came about is one of conflict between science and religion. Before the middle of the 18th century, however, claims about God’s role as an intelligent designer were in fact part of the scientific mainstream. Examining the role of design in science during the period before Darwin began work on the theory of evolution thus gives us the opportunity to question today’s narratives that assume a history of continual conflict between science and religion.

To that end, this course examines the crucial role of ideas and practices relating to design in the emergence of ‘modern science’ during the three centuries from 1500 to 1800. Additionally, it investigates the reasons for the declining importance of design to science during the 18th century, long before Darwin began to promote the theory of evolution.

The goal of this course is to familiarise students with applied research in three fundamental areas of research in development economics: (i) the role of firms...

Topics in Development Economics: Firms, Labour Markets and Migration (ECON0124)

The goal of this course is to familiarise students with applied research in three fundamental areas of research in development economics: (i) the role of firms in economic development; (ii) the functioning of labour markets in developing countries; and (iii) the consequences of voluntary and forced migration, within and across borders. This course will cover both theoretical and empirical methods to the analysis of different topics within these three areas, emphasising the relevant policy questions and implications. By the end of the course, students will have an overview of the main papers within these areas and will be able to apply the basic tools of masters-level micro, macro and econometrics to the analysis of key issues in developing countries. The topics covered in this course are complementary to the ones covered in the MSc-level ECON0105: Economics of Development. Our goal with these two courses is to offer a broad coverage of the field of development economics.

 