Professor. (Ph.D., University of California, Berkley, 1981). Born and raised in
Indiana, Professor Ramstad came to URI in 1982 afte five years of teaching at San
Fransisco State and UC Davis. He has been teaching the history of economic thought courses
since his arrival here. He is particularly interested in the philosophical and
psychological underpinnings of economic theory. His Research has focused exclusively on
topics related to institutional theory in general and more narrowly, in the economic
thought of John R. Commons, the principal architect of the intellectual visions supporting
the New Deal in the 30's. He is currently working on a book examining the nature and
significance of Common's economic theories.
Professor Ramstad is especially interested in meeting and talking with students who are
interested in economic epistemology and methodology and/or who are intersted in exploring
alternative approachs to economic analysis.
ProfessorRamstad's classes are:
