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| Semester | spring semester 2023 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Jacob Bjorheim (jacob.bjorheim@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Welcome to our seminar. It focuses on the individual in economics, i.e. the “economic man”. From a historical perspective, economists have dramatically changed his/her character. In our seminar we will explore when, how and why this person was transformed from being a “moral man” in the 18th and 19th century to becoming a secularized, fictional “model man” and, most recently, a “neuro man”. On our historical journey, we will encounter and explore several important religious, political and philosophical ideas and concepts that the economic man got himself involved in. For example, the “the invisible hand”, “impartial spectator”, “rational preferences and choice”, “markets”, “work”, "religion and innovation”, “value judgments”, etc. Our analysis thereof will be informed by academic papers and essays that have appeared in economic, religious and philosophical journals. |
| Learning objectives | Having actively participated in the seminar, students will be able to: a. Describe the historical development of the “economic man” and discuss fundamental religious, philosophical and economic concepts; b. Reproduce the most important questions arising from these developments and concepts; c. Understand, present and discuss an economic, religious or philosophical academic paper. |
| Bibliography | Each weekly session addresses a specific topic. The topic will be supported by an academic paper that has been chosen by your lecturer. The weekly paper is made available in a designated folder at the seminar’s web-site (ADAM). General background/supporting literature: Davis, John B (2003): The Theory of the Individual in Economics – Identity and Value. Iyer, Sriya (2016): “The New Economics of Religion”, Journal of Economic Literature, 54(2), 395-441. |
| Comments | Seminarsprache: Deutsch |
| Admission requirements | ZRWP / MSc students. Advanced BSc students with background in, for example, economics, finance, religious studies, philosophy, etc. |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 23.02.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Thursday 02.03.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Fasnachstferien |
| Thursday 09.03.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Thursday 16.03.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Thursday 23.03.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Thursday 30.03.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Thursday 06.04.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Ostern |
| Thursday 13.04.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Thursday 20.04.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Thursday 27.04.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Thursday 04.05.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Thursday 11.05.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Thursday 18.05.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Auffahrt |
| Thursday 25.05.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Thursday 01.06.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Modules |
Modul: Praktische Philosophie (Master's degree subject: Philosophy) Modul: Religion, Ökonomie und Recht (Master's degree subject: Science of Religion) Modul: Theologie im Kontext des Weltchristentums (Master's Studies: Theology) Modul: Wirtschaft und Religion (Master's Studies: Religion - Economics - Politics) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | To pass the course and earn 3 credit points, the student will: a. Attend, and actively participate in, the weekly sessions; b. Read and reflect on the weekly paper; Be prepared to answer questions posed therefrom. c. Introduce the pre-selected paper in one of the weekly sessions. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: teaching staff |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, best attempt counts |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Theology, studiendekanat-theol@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Zentr. Religion, Wirtschaft und Politik |