JACOB LOUIS WEISDORF

Office hours
Mondays 16-18 from 22 Sep to 15 Dec 2025. Please send an email to <jacob.weisdorf@uniroma1.it> the day before to secure a time slot during the office hours. Outside the mentioned period, appointments are only available by email.
 
Master theses
For students wishing to write a master's thesis in economic or business history, please read the thesis instruction document available for download here carefully before contacting me. Please note: the earliest graduation session for students wishing to write their thesis with me is the autumn of 2026.
 
Reference letters
Please note that I only write reference letters for my PhD students, not for master's or master's thesis students.
 
Economic History 2025/26 (bachelor level, in English):
The course introduces students to economic history, serving as a perfect complement for those interested in development economics. It takes students from the pre-industrial era through the first, second, and third industrial revolutions up to the present day. The course examines why some countries became wealthy while others remained poor, how this divergence occurred, what barriers to economic development might exist, and what the prospects for future economic growth are. A detailed course description can be found at this link. Classes took place on Tuesdays (16-18), Wednesdays (16-18), and Thursdays (12-14) in Aula 8A. Classes start on 23 Sept. 
Important note regarding the grading system: the grade combines the score from an oral examination (up to 20 points) and an essay (up to 10 points). The essay must be sent via email as a PDF to jacob.weisdorf@uniroma1.it for approval no later than one week before the official exam date. It should be approximately 5,000 words (+/- five percent), excluding the reference list. The essay topic, chosen by the student, along with the two main research articles that underpin it, must relate to economic history and be approved by me in advance.

Advanced Economic History 2025/26 (master's level, in English):
The course introduces students to advanced economic history, serving as a perfect complement for those interested in development economics. It takes students from the pre-industrial era through the first, second, and third industrial revolutions up to the present day. The course examines why some countries became wealthy while others remained poor, how this divergence occurred, what barriers to economic development might exist, and what the prospects for future economic growth are. A detailed course description can be found at this link. Classes took place in Aula Fanfani on the 5th floor on Mondays (14-16) and Thursdays (16-18), starting on 22 Sept.
Important note regarding the grading system: the grade combines the score from an oral examination (up to 20 points) and an essay (up to 10 points). The essay must be sent via email as a PDF to jacob.weisdorf@uniroma1.it for approval no later than one week before the official exam date. It should be approximately 5,000 words (+/- five percent), excluding the reference list. The essay topic, chosen by the student, along with the two main research articles that underpin it, must relate to economic history and be approved by me in advance.

Business History 2024/25 (in English):
I do not teach this course anymore.