Examines the life and work of African-American geniuses – both historic and contemporary – in social justice, academics, the arts, and education with a particular focus on how their life and work affects economic thought and our understanding of human behavior. Profiles include: W.E.B. Dubois, Ida B. Wells, David Blackwell, Martin Luther King, Geoffrey Canada, Mary McCleod Bethune, and more. The economic topics that are highlighted include the economics of slavery, identity and social interactions, integration, health, education, and labor markets.
Also offered as Econ 1015 by the Economics Department. Please note, this is a jointly offered course hosted by another Harvard school and, accordingly, students must adhere to the academic and attendance policies of that school.