Minor in Heterodox Economics in the Study of Capitalism

The Department of Economics at The University of Tulsa will offer a concentration of courses that comprise the new Minor in Heterodox Economics in the Study of Capitalism. Open to all majors throughout the University, the Minor endeavors to provide the basic building blocks for providing the foundation for an introduction to the heterodoxy.

ECON 1013 – Economics of Social Issues

This course provides students with an introduction to the nature of Heterodox Economics by providing historical context of social issues that affect people’s daily lives. Students are exposed to economic phenomena, emphasizing their social aspects and recognizing economics as a transformative social science. In this course students explore the relation between capitalism and social issues (inequality, poverty, insecurity, climate crisis, etc). The course examines both orthodox and heterodox economic approaches to critically understand and address them.

Instructor: Clara Mattei (clm5781@utulsa.edu)

  • Fall 2025 | M/W 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
  • Spring 2026 | T/Th 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM

ECON 3143 – Economic Growth Theory

This course includes different macroeconomic theories within the heterodoxy. Students explore phenomenon of economic growth from perspective of comparative theoretical approaches – Classical, Neoclassical, and (Post) Keynesian models and empirical efficacy of each theory are covered in this course. From the methodological standpoint, the course discusses the principle of effective demand, class division and conflict, and the role of demand in the long run, etc. This course contains references to mainstream approaches as a necessary juxtaposition.

Instructor: Bruno Theodosio (bruno-theodosio@utulsa.edu)

  • Spring 2026 | M/W/F 2:00 PM – 2:50 PM

ECON 3243 – Comparative Heterodox Theories

This course addresses different microeconomic theories within the heterodoxy. This course introduces students non-mainstream theories of value and distribution focusing on theories from both the left (Classical and Marxian political economy) as well as the right (Austrian theory and methodology). Specific heterodox microeconomic themes covered are determination of value and/or price, the role of exchange-value, and the impact of distribution of income on value formation.

Instructor: Scott Carter (scott-carter@utulsa.edu)

  • Fall 2025 | T/Th 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM

ECON 4053 – History of Economic Theories

This is the capstone course for all economics majors and includes the development of the history of economic thought from Scholastic the 12th century, mercantilist thought in the 16th and 17th centuries, the period of dominance of Classical Political Economy in the 18th and 19th centuries, through the development of modern neoclassical theories that dominated the discipline after 1870.

Instructor: Scott Carter (scott-carter@utulsa.edu)

  • Spring 2025

ECON 3973 – Special Issues on Heterodox Economics

This course provides special topics in heterodox economics. The specific structure, instructor, and schedule are currently in development (TBD).