Minor in Heterodox Economics in the Study of Capitalism
Our mission is to develop the rigor, accessible, and better awareness of Heterodox approaches to economic science.
Starting in Fall 2025 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 (also referred to as the “Het minor”). Open to all majors throughout the University, the Het Minor endeavors to provide the basic building blocks for providing the basic foundation for a proper introduction to the heterodoxy. This minor is a curated program, meaning it includes specific courses and content. These courses are:
ECON 1013 – Economics of Social Issues
This course provides students with an introduction to the nature of Heterodox Economics by providing historical context and the first conceptual building blocks. Students are exposed to economic phenomena, emphasizing their social aspects and recognizing economics as a transformative social science. The course examines orthodox and heterodox economic approaches, as well as the history of economic thought, as a framework to understand and address current social issues.
ECON 3143 – Comparative Theories of Economic Growth and Distribution
This is the course for the minor that include different macroeconomic theories within the heterodoxy. Specific heterodox macroeconomic themes covered are output and employment, business cycles and crises, fiscal and economic policies, and money and financial sector analysis. From a methodological standpoint, the course discusses the principle of effective demand, class division and the distributive fight, and the role of demand in the long run. These themes will be explored within each of the rival theories such as Marxian, Classical Political Economy, Post-Keynesian including theories of Kalecki, Kaldor, and Robinson, Institutional theories, Feminist theories, to name the most important. This course contains references to mainstream approaches as a necessary juxtaposition.
ECON 3243 – Comparative Heterodox Theories of Value, Price and Distribution
This is the course for the minor that includes different microeconomic theories within the heterodoxy. Specific heterodox microeconomic themes covered are determination of value, determination of price, the role of exchange-value, and the impact of distribution of income on value formation. These themes will be explored within each of the rival theories such as Marxian, Sraffian, Post-Keynesian price, and Institutional theories. This course does not contain references to mainstream approaches.
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.
ECON 3973 – Special Issues on Heterodox Economics
This requires approval by the instructor and will count towards the major as long as the particular Special Topic is of a Heterodox character