TOPICS IN LOGIC, HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

Cod.30001573

CONTENIDOS DE LA ASIGNATURA

Following the 2007 Great Recession the debate regarding the scientific status of Economics and the nature of economic expertise has gained a widespread attention both in the popular media and among academics (including noted economists themselves. See, for example, Krugman's public shaming of the discipline): 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/magazine/06Economic-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 

In the course, and in the light of recent public debates, we will go over some classic debates regarding the way in which Economics produces both scientific output (in the form of models and explanations of economic phenomena) and a guide to public policy. We will do this by dividing the course in two interraled parts:

I. Economic Models and the Crisis.

II. The Economist as Public Expert

We will analyze several papers presenting different elements of the current controversies surrounding Economics. Students are expected to read and analyze them and participate in online discussions as well as answering some questionnaires about their main points. 

As to the second half, the UNED library will provide a customized program depending on the available electronic resources.