Course # 41150 Section Number 1 Day(s) Th Time(s) 3:00pm-6:00pm Term Fall 2025 Course Instructor James Robinson Syllabus Syllabus 9/4/24 The course will study the cultural, social, and institutional foundations of contemporary and historical societies around the world. Particular attention will be paid to factors that are typically taken for granted and presumed universal within the economics discipline. These include perceptions of reality (including birth, death, the afterlife, the spiritual world, nature,and the environment), and moral frameworks (including views about right/wrong, fairness,equality, and community membership). We will consider how these differences then affect and are affected by resulting cultural values, social structures, and formal political and legal institutions. The course is targeted to advanced (second-year or later) Ph.D. students with an interest in economic development, political economy, cultural economics, and/or economic history. Must be a PhD student to enroll. Notes This class will begin meeting on Thursday, September 11th. This is a PhD elective. Registration is open to PhD and Harris MACRM students only, or by instructor consent. Recent News More news Student Profile: Maria Villamizar Londono Wed., July 16, 2025 Q&A: Assistant Professor Erin Kelley on Her Work in Program Evaluation, International Development, and With the World Bank Wed., July 09, 2025 University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy and Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth Launch New Pathbreaking Master’s Program in Climate and Energy Policy Tue., July 08, 2025 Upcoming Events More events Harris Summer Mixer in Beijing Fri., July 18, 2025 | 6:00 PM Maison Flo 18 Xiaoyun Rd Chaoyang Qu Beijing Shi, 100027 China Harris Summer Mixer in Jakarta Sat., July 19, 2025 | 4:30 PM Rusty Rabbit | Plaza Festival, Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said No.22 Kav. C, Karet Kuningan, Setiabudi Jakarta Selatan, DKI Jakarta 12940 Indonesia Harris Summer Open House Mon., July 21, 2025 | 9:30 AM Harris School of Public Policy Keller Center 1307 E. 60th St. Chicago, IL 60637 United States