Want to learn about the the development of economic ideas and their inter-relationships with political ideas? Join this course to strengthen your understanding.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course builds upon the ideas of Economics which is the study of how people allocate scarce resources for production, distribution, and consumption, both individually and collectively. It examines behaviours of consumers, producers and the impact the government has in determining how a country allocates its finite resources. The course would enable students to gain a grounding in the theory of economic thinkers over time and examine how economics systems have evolved over time.
What will we cover?
We will cover
- The thoughts of Classical Economists including Adam Smith, Thomas Malthus, David Ricardo, Jean Baptiste Say and John Stuart Mill. - The works of Karl Marx and his lasting impact on today’s world. - The works of neo-classical economists including Alfred Marshall and the Monetarists including Milton Friedman. - The works of John Maynard Keynes and the rise in Keynesian economics.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Analyse, assess and critically evaluate how economic theories have evolved as societies adapt and change through history. - Compare and contrast neo-liberal classical economic theories and Keynesian views. Develop your communication skills and have reasoned arguments of evaluating these theories and how they have impacted the economy. Problem-solve and debate economic solutions to economic challenges.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge is required as this is an introductory course. That being said, an interest in news and current affairs may prove helpful. Reading the Business and Economics news would also develop your learning and help you gain more from the course both in terms of enjoyment and learning outcomes.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
A mixture of lectures/ short presentations by the tutor, Q&A, and class discussions. A comprehensive bibliography will be given at the beginning of the course. Also, (brief) reading materials will be handed out at the end of each session. These will mostly cover issues raised in the class. While this supplementary reading is not a course requirement, course participants will benefit more from the course if they do some of the supplementary readings recommended by the course tutor. Please note, that as the course progresses, course participants are encouraged to take a more active part in the course through class discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Although you are not required to buy anything, you may wish to buy books, read articles online. However, please note that this is not necessary to follow the class as such.
After a brief stint at Sorbonne University reading French Lit and odd jobs in the film industry, Christian Michel joined a financial firm in Paris, before moving to Geneva, working on projects in West Africa and Russia. To use a common metaphor, business is only looking at trees, whereas Christian was keen to gain a perspective on the whole forest. He developed an interest in economics, questioning the purpose of it all – why work, why trade, why money, why growth, and what effects do production and consumption have on us, on our society and on nature. Christian has written a couple of books (in French) on these topics and many articles. He has been teaching various courses at City Lit since 2013.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/history-culture-and-writing/a-history-of-economic-thought2492029A history of economic thoughthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Capitalism-and-its-discontents-HPC206-1024.jpg259259GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Economics/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics22851177167216771228511771677Want to learn about the the development of economic ideas and their inter-relationships with political ideas? Join this course to strengthen your understanding.003031141A history of economic thought259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Capitalism-and-its-discontents-HPC206-1024.jpgInStockEveningWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHPC86259259A history of economic thought259168259Christian Michela-history-of-economic-thought/hpc86-2627Want to learn about the the development of economic ideas and their inter-relationships with political ideas? Join this course to strengthen your understanding.0000-Available|2026-09-16 00:00:00This course builds upon the ideas of Economics which is the study of how people allocate scarce resources for production, distribution, and consumption, both individually and collectively. It examines behaviours of consumers, producers and the impact the government has in determining how a country allocates its finite resources. The course would enable students to gain a grounding in the theory of economic thinkers over time and examine how economics systems have evolved over time.Want to learn about the the development of economic ideas and their inter-relationships with political ideas? Join this course to strengthen your understanding.We will cover <br><br>- The thoughts of Classical Economists including Adam Smith, Thomas Malthus, David Ricardo, Jean Baptiste Say and John Stuart Mill. <br>- The works of Karl Marx and his lasting impact on today’s world. <br>- The works of neo-classical economists including Alfred Marshall and the Monetarists including Milton Friedman. <br>- The works of John Maynard Keynes and the rise in Keynesian economics.- Analyse, assess and critically evaluate how economic theories have evolved as societies adapt and change through history. <br>- Compare and contrast neo-liberal classical economic theories and Keynesian views. <br>Develop your communication skills and have reasoned arguments of evaluating these theories and how they have impacted the economy.<br>Problem-solve and debate economic solutions to economic challenges.No previous knowledge is required as this is an introductory course. That being said, an interest in news and current affairs may prove helpful. Reading the Business and Economics news would also develop your learning and help you gain more from the course both in terms of enjoyment and learning outcomes.A mixture of lectures/ short presentations by the tutor, Q&A, and class discussions. A comprehensive bibliography will be given at the beginning of the course. Also, (brief) reading materials will be handed out at the end of each session. These will mostly cover issues raised in the class. While this supplementary reading is not a course requirement, course participants will benefit more from the course if they do some of the supplementary readings recommended by the course tutor. Please note, that as the course progresses, course participants are encouraged to take a more active part in the course through class discussions.Although you are not required to buy anything, you may wish to buy books, read articles online. However, please note that this is not necessary to follow the class as such.<p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs/economics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all our upcoming Economics courses and workshops here.</a></p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/refer-a-friend" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Give a friend £20 off their first course</strong></a><br>And you will also get £20 off your next course over £99.</p><p></p>Politics & economicsEconomicsvirtual259259168HPC86NONEWed16/09/26 - 02/12/2618:00 - 19:3018:0019:3012 sessions (over 12 weeks)1211 weeks or longerWeekdayKSKeeley StreetChristian MichelBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00EveningSep 2026Culture, history & humanities259259A history of economic thoughta-history-of-economic-thought/hpc86-2627Want to learn about the the development of economic ideas and their inter-relationships with political ideas? Join this course to strengthen your understanding.0000-Available|2026-09-16 00:00:00This course builds upon the ideas of Economics which is the study of how people allocate scarce resources for production, distribution, and consumption, both individually and collectively. It examines behaviours of consumers, producers and the impact the government has in determining how a country allocates its finite resources. The course would enable students to gain a grounding in the theory of economic thinkers over time and examine how economics systems have evolved over time.Want to learn about the the development of economic ideas and their inter-relationships with political ideas? Join this course to strengthen your understanding.We will cover <br><br>- The thoughts of Classical Economists including Adam Smith, Thomas Malthus, David Ricardo, Jean Baptiste Say and John Stuart Mill. <br>- The works of Karl Marx and his lasting impact on today’s world. <br>- The works of neo-classical economists including Alfred Marshall and the Monetarists including Milton Friedman. <br>- The works of John Maynard Keynes and the rise in Keynesian economics.- Analyse, assess and critically evaluate how economic theories have evolved as societies adapt and change through history. <br>- Compare and contrast neo-liberal classical economic theories and Keynesian views. <br>Develop your communication skills and have reasoned arguments of evaluating these theories and how they have impacted the economy.<br>Problem-solve and debate economic solutions to economic challenges.No previous knowledge is required as this is an introductory course. That being said, an interest in news and current affairs may prove helpful. Reading the Business and Economics news would also develop your learning and help you gain more from the course both in terms of enjoyment and learning outcomes.A mixture of lectures/ short presentations by the tutor, Q&amp;A, and class discussions. A comprehensive bibliography will be given at the beginning of the course. Also, (brief) reading materials will be handed out at the end of each session. These will mostly cover issues raised in the class. While this supplementary reading is not a course requirement, course participants will benefit more from the course if they do some of the supplementary readings recommended by the course tutor. Please note, that as the course progresses, course participants are encouraged to take a more active part in the course through class discussions.Although you are not required to buy anything, you may wish to buy books, read articles online. However, please note that this is not necessary to follow the class as such.<p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs/economics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all our upcoming Economics courses and workshops here.</a></p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/refer-a-friend" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Give a friend £20 off their first course</strong></a><br>And you will also get £20 off your next course over £99.</p><p></p>Politics & economicsEconomicsconfigurable
16721677Economicshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs/economics1/2/285/1177/1677/16721/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Economics
