Ec 10 Critics Hold First Official Event

Baker Professor of Economics Martin S. Feldstein '61 is about to learn a lesson in customer satisfaction.

Yesterday, a newly recognized student organization devoted to presenting an economic perspective different from Feldstein's held its first meeting.

Called Students for Humane and Responsible Economics (SHARE), the group is led by five students who are alumni of Feldstein's course, Social Analysis 10: "Principles of Economics,"

They say there is a need to counterbalance Feldstein's approach to economics.

"We were all pretty much discontented with the course," said Stephanie I. Greenwood '99, one of the group's founders. "[SHARE] grew out of general outrage at the limitations of the intro course."

Feldstein served on former president Ronald Reagan's council of economic advisors and is widely known for his conservative stance on economic issues such as taxes and healthcare.

"It's a scary thing to look at how economics are being taught at Harvard," Greenwood said. "A lot of influential policy-makers come out of Harvard."

SHARE began unofficially last year with a discussion group and handouts. About ten people came each week, Greenwood said.

The group now meets weekly over dinner to discuss

the issues that arise in the course. Last night, students talked about the economics of South African President Nelson R. Mandela's address last Friday.

Greenwood said that the goals of SHARE are "to spark discussion and to present other theories and points of view."

Feldstein said he supported the general idea of students getting involved with the issues of economics out of class.

"I can't say that I'm in support of their specific ideas because I don't know what they are, but the general notion of getting students interested in the issues would be a very good one," he said.

Greenwood said the group's long term goals would include changing the curriculum of Ec 10 and including more student feedback in the course, which she called "a very passive learning experience."

"I met with a few of these students last year, and there wasn't much that we could do" because the semester was at an end, Feldstein said.

"I would be happy to help them make contacts," he offered.

About 19 students were at last night's discussion, saying they were disgruntled with what they were taught. "I'm taking Ec 10 to learn about economics, but everything that I learn, I take with a grain of salt," said Marcel P. Armstrong '02, a student in Ec 10 this semester.

"[I]will constantly remember that the Ec 10 perspective is just one of many, but that doesn't discourage me from taking the course," he said.

Not all of Feldstein's students are looking for an alternate perspective, however.

"Whatever [Feldstein] does, is sufficient," said Ngonidzashe E. Kundidzora '02

the issues that arise in the course. Last night, students talked about the economics of South African President Nelson R. Mandela's address last Friday.

Greenwood said that the goals of SHARE are "to spark discussion and to present other theories and points of view."

Feldstein said he supported the general idea of students getting involved with the issues of economics out of class.

"I can't say that I'm in support of their specific ideas because I don't know what they are, but the general notion of getting students interested in the issues would be a very good one," he said.

Greenwood said the group's long term goals would include changing the curriculum of Ec 10 and including more student feedback in the course, which she called "a very passive learning experience."

"I met with a few of these students last year, and there wasn't much that we could do" because the semester was at an end, Feldstein said.

"I would be happy to help them make contacts," he offered.

About 19 students were at last night's discussion, saying they were disgruntled with what they were taught. "I'm taking Ec 10 to learn about economics, but everything that I learn, I take with a grain of salt," said Marcel P. Armstrong '02, a student in Ec 10 this semester.

"[I]will constantly remember that the Ec 10 perspective is just one of many, but that doesn't discourage me from taking the course," he said.

Not all of Feldstein's students are looking for an alternate perspective, however.

"Whatever [Feldstein] does, is sufficient," said Ngonidzashe E. Kundidzora '02