Irwin Collier - How Economists Used to Be Made

The video features a professor of economics discussing his research on the graduate Canon in the U.S., focusing on the development of economics departments at major universities. He explores how the Canon became homogeneous and the historical context of economics education. The professor shares his archival research experiences and reflects on his academic journey, including his time at Yale and MIT. He emphasizes the importance of a broad liberal arts background and the challenges of reconstructing historical academic content.

What is the main focus of the professor's research project?

• The development of economic policies in Europe

• The origin of the graduate Canon in the United States

• The impact of technology on economics education

• The role of women in economics

Which universities are being studied in the professor's research on the graduate Canon?

• Columbia, Chicago, and Harvard

• MIT, Oxford, and Cambridge

• Yale, Princeton, and Stanford

• Duke, Berkeley, and UCLA

What sources are primarily used in the study of the graduate Canon?

• Surveys of economic professionals

• Syllabus reading lists and lecture notes

• Textbooks from various universities

• Interviews with current students

What does the professor believe is important for asking interesting questions in economics?

• Advanced mathematical skills

• A background in liberal arts

• Experience in the corporate sector

• Knowledge of multiple languages

What was a formative experience for the professor in his archival research journey?

• Attending a conference in Berlin

• Visiting the Economics Paper Project at Duke University

• Collaborating with a Nobel laureate

• Publishing a book on economic history

Where did the professor complete his undergraduate studies?

• University of Chicago

• Harvard University

• Yale University

• Stanford University

What was the focus of the professor's PhD research?

• The economic impact of globalization

• The history of economic thought

• The role of technology in economics

• The comparison of East and West Germany

How does the professor describe the relationship between his history of thought and applied microeconomics work?

• They are completely separate fields

• They are both theoretical in nature

• They are unrelated to his teaching

• They have a common empirical focus

What does the professor believe is a key quality for economists studying the history of economic thought?

• Creativity

• Ambition

• Humility

• Confidence

What is the professor's view on the search for truth in economics?

• It is a hard but rewarding search

• It is only for experienced economists

• It is a straightforward process

• It is a futile endeavor