Economics Department records

Since shortly after it was founded in 1837, Mount Holyoke College has been receptive to the study of social sciences, a field of scholarship that was gradually opening up in academic institutions in the 19th century. Economics and politics, in particular, were introduced to Mount Holyoke Seminary students in 1838 as one of the eleven studies of the senior class. Francis Wayland's "Elements of Political Economy," which would later become a classic academic text, was the required text in that year's catalogue. This is particularly remarkable in view of the fact that until then only the prestigious men's colleges of America had begun instruction in the subject of political economy, and that as a part of moral philosophy. However, a separate course for the subject did not appear to have emerged at these institutions until some years after it had been introduced at Mount Holyoke. Nevertheless, the course of political economy was withdrawn from Mount Holyoke's curriculum during certain years, and reinstated during others, until the college department was established in 1887. Thereafter, a concerted effort was made to provide students with a strong preparation in economics and politics, and, later, in sociology. Since female teachers with economic training were few at that time, several nonresident male lecturers were appointed to teach political economy at Mount Holyoke. Many of them, notably Edward Bemis, John Clark and Franklin Giddings, were distinguished economists and sociologists. In 1891-92, Mary Graham, PhD, was made the first resident faculty in Philosophy and Political Economy. The departmental title underwent a number of changes during the next eighty years. It was briefly known as Economics in 1895-96; Constitutional History and Economics from 1896-98; Political Economy again from 1898-1903; various terms including American History and Political Economy between 1903 and 1908; and Economics and Sociology from 1908-1971. In 1972, the department of Economics separated from that of the newly-created Sociology and Anthropology. Students are currently offered a broad range of required and elective courses which include International Economics and Finance, Development Economics, Econometrics and Industrial Organizations. The emphasis on statistical and mathematical courses for the completion of the major, alongside traditional offerings in economic theory and history, is one which originated in the 1920s under the leadership of departmental chair Amy Hewes. It reflects the pioneering development of statistical courses to support industrial and social research, thereby strengthening the curriculum and preparing students for graduate work.