Economic History of Early Modern East Asia
Twice I have taught a class in the Department of Economics, Business and Math at King's. It is an essay-course, and in fact is quite writing-intensive, although taught at the 2100 level, which confuses me slightly since all 2100 classes in History are non-essay courses. Perhaps better not investigate to closely! Universities can become a bit confusing when investigated closely.
The last time I taught the class, I made use of von Glahn's wonderful textbook, and so consulted periods much earlier than the early modern period," which I roughly start at the Tang-Song transition and end around the Opium Wars of the mid-19th century. I have not discussed Japan much in this class, but have focused on China and Korea, but it is possible that, if I offer it again, I will include Japan and Vietnam as well. Themes that we discuss include taxation, currency, metalurgy (especially the use of coal), the development of the market economy, finance and the firm, and of course questions surrounding the Great Divergence between Western Europe and East Asia during the eighteenth century.
Will I teach it again? I hope so - this depends in part on finding a mutually satisfying arrangement for both EBM and History. I am hopeful.
Click on the link for a sample syllabus.