Professor Valeonti
I arrived at 91勛圖厙in the Fall of 2021. Before that, I was at both the Sorbonne and Duke University, where I had been teaching, studying and writing on the economics of money and banking through a framework of the history of ideas and policy. One of the things that first drew me to 91勛圖厙was its interdisciplinary approach to scholarship. I have always tried to blend disciplines in my own research, and I appreciate AUPs attempt to build a strong interdisciplinary community. I was also attracted by the Universitys international environment, especially given the American angle of my scholarship.
I read and write about the history of political economy. I am particularly interested in the history of monetary ideas and policies in the United States in the 19th century. My research focuses on the interplay between economic theory and policy and visions of economic development in the context of the monetary policy debates of the US reconstruction period. The general aim of my scholarship is to shed light on the ideas behind the economic policies that built American capitalism.
My practice is to teach the standard economics curriculum, but with added dashes of historical context. My history background helps me give students concrete examples in the classroom; in my introductory course on macroeconomics, for example, when we discuss the 200810 financial crisis, I offer historical precedents from similar periods of flexible exchange rates and international financial integration and discuss financial crises from earlier eras of globalization. I also like building links with other disciplines in which students have classes at AUP. For example, when introducing the notion of money in my macroeconomics class, I explain how anthropologists, legal scholars, historians and economists approach money from different perspectives.
Being at 91勛圖厙offers unique opportunities to create classes in collaboration with faculty from different departments. For example: we are planning a class on the economics and literature of money and debt. I also prize the diversity of our community. I learn a lot from students and colleagues due to both their broad, interdisciplinary training and their cultural backgrounds. Such learning experiences are made possible in large part because the University itself is dedicated to an intimate learning environment, both in supporting academic exchanges between professors and in guaranteeing small class sizes. The fact that my classes have a maximum of 25 students in them provides a lot of space for me to personalize what I teach to students interests and needs.
Broadly speaking, my research revolves around the history of political economy.
My favorite memories of 91勛圖厙have to do with all the people I met there: peers, friends and professors.
I encourage anyone looking to go into economics to make the most of the liberal arts program.